Dublin City Council (DCC) waste management workers were widely praised for their hard work over the St. Patrick’s weekend. They were the focus of articles on the Journal.ie and in the Irish Independent. Both papers described the enormous undertaking needed to keep the streets clean during the weekend’s festivities. 

Over half a million additional visitors enjoyed atmosphere and activities in Dublin city centre over the course of this year’s St. Patrick’s Festival. An estimated 100k tourists visited the city for the festivities. DCC have come to view the St. Patrick’s Festival as an important advertisement for tourism, describing it as “an opportunity for Dublin to present itself as a destination of choice for tourists.” 

Fórsa official Jay Power said “It might be the parade and all the events that bring people to the city, but it’s not going to be a great advertisement for Dublin city if the city is not kept to the highest standards. That’s where our members come in. It is great to see the members get the credit they deserve for maintaining the city to such a high standard when the eyes of the world are on Dublin city.” 

Keeping Dublin clean over the weekend was a monumental undertaking. It required 442 workers working in rotating shifts from 6am on Friday to 6am on the following Tuesday. 

Street cleaning was adjusted to a 24-hour service over this period. Footpaths were swept and road channels kept clean, 684 bins were continuously emptied, litter wardens patrolled the city, and a comprehensive wash programme took effect. 

DCC estimates between 30 and 40 tonnes of litter was collected and removed from the heart of the city. 

On parade day, streets had to be cleaned to Grade A standard before reopening to traffic. To ensure efficiency, the city centre was divided into four zones, with dedicated teams working swiftly to clear each section.  

Mick Kieran, member of the municipal employee’s divisional executive committee said: “It’s a tough job but one we’re proud to do. Once the parade clears a zone the guards need to open it immediately. Our members treat it like any other day, get stuck in and make it happen.” 

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