First Litter Pick up of 2023 - Ranelagh and Grand Canal

I hooked up with the Friends of the Grand Canal today to do my first litter pick up of 2023. 

As I have my own litter picker and Dublin city litter bags (can be requested from Dublin City Council Customer Service) I picked on my way to meeting the group on the canal.  I started on Leeson Park Avenue and went along Appian Way and then out on to Leeson Street (it was very bad at the bus stop where the Aircoach to the airport stops at) and then up to the bench at Leeson Street Bridge to where the group meets.

By the time I got up to the Grand Canal I had picked one large bag of litter and it was time for a cup of coffee.  The group is proudly supported by the nearby Starbucks and this time I remembered to bring my reusable cup to the meet up.

 The weather was pleasant so it was enjoyable and meditative picking litter. There was a large amount of volunteers today, but if you want to join in too, you can check out the Friends of the Grand Canal facebook page for info on when the next clean up is taking place. Generally they meet at 10am on the first Saturday of the month at the bench next to the canal on Wilton Terrace. The clean up lasts about 2 hours and it is a social occasion at the end when all volunteers enjoy a coffee and chat together.

Here's some pics from the clean up including the fruits of our labour this month:

Most of the clean up focus is on the canal it self.  However, I prefer to do around the canal in order to prevent rubbish being blown in to the actual canal.

It was a mixed group of people and all are welcome to volunteer - no matter how infrequently you might be able to attend.

Some of the volunteers have been attending for years (possibly decades). Well done to them!

Most of the rubbish is brought back to a central collection spot at the bench on Wilton Terrace so that the Dublin City Council staff can collect it all centrally. However, larger heavier full bags are also left near to the rubbish bins and they will then be collected when DCC staff are doing their rounds.

The pole to the left at the bottom of the pick was a traffic sign that was fished out of the canal......fair play to who ever managed to do that and then carry to the central collection spot.

When I finished my coffee, I headed back home but also picked on my way back.  I picked the opposite side of Leeson Street and then left my bag of rubbish at the trash can on Appian Way for collection at some point by Dublin City Council refuse collectors.

All in all a great start to the new Bank Holiday Weekend here in Ranelagh!