Paul O’Connell joins thousands for Limerick’s big clean

Irish rugby captain Paul O’Connell and racing legend AP McCoy have rolled up their sleeves to take part in a massive clean-up operation in Limerick.

More than 10,000 volunteers have donned hi-vis jackets and gloves to help clean around their communities this Good Friday with 40,000 bags of rubbish set to be gathered.

The village of Murroe in Co Limerick witnessed the largest turnout out with over 700 volunteers taking part in the biggest one-day clean-up ever staged in Ireland.

Some 300 volunteers turned out to support the campaign in Southill while 500 people in Corbally are using litter pickets and cloths to help clean up their area.

The Team Limerick Clean-Up (TLC) also saw opposition parties working today as Fine Gael’s Kieran O’Donnell and Fianna Fail Deputy Willie O’Dea both took part in the clean-up in the Fair Green.

Volunteers include schools, local businesses, sporting groups and community and residents associations from across the city and county.

The clean-up is sponsored by the JP McManus benevolent fund and was launched on the banks of the Shannon at Clancy’s Strand on Friday.

The Monks at Glenstal Abbey have also gave the clean-up their blessing and Brother Anthony Keane was among those who set off for a river bank clean-up on the renowned Ilen Gandelow boats as part of the volunteer campaign.

Speaking at today’s event JP McManus said the reaction to the Team Clean Up has been “phenomenal”.

“I never imagined it would become what it has today. Limerick people have such great pride in their city and county, and I am just so happy they have embraced this idea. It would be nice if this could become an annual thing,” he said.

“What is great about this is a lot of communities are gathering together, neighbours who have never met, and there are 60 locations after the event where people are meeting for a cup of tea, a scone or a hot cross bun. Hopefully this will be the beginning of something big.”

Paul O’Connell said his five-year-old son Paddy was looking forward to donning a high-vis jacket and gloves and taking part

“Certainly, for me and my family, the Limerick clean-up has created a healthy discussion about the importance of looking after your community, taking pride in your area and how litter picking plays a huge part in this.

“It’s great to be involved in a clean-up initiative which is inclusive of everyone throughout the community from girl guides to senior Cabinet Ministers.

“Even my five year old son, Paddy, can’t wait to wear his own hi-vis jacket and gloves and join up with our neighbours to do our own clean-up.”

Following the clean-up, a book is to be put together commemorating the work of the volunteers.

To get a copy, all volunteers are asked to free-text the letters TLC with their name and address to 50123.