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Cigarette Butts are Irelands Biggest Litter Problem

Cigarette Butts are Irelands Biggest Litter Problem

I wrote a blog post back in 2016 which looked back to a 2008 litter report. In the 2008 survey of litter in Ireland, it was found that Ireland’s cities and towns were cleaner than they have been for many years prior. This was thanks to better awareness from the public, more bins and a huge effort from city and town councils. However, some pedestrians and motorists ignore bins and drop cigarette butts and food on the streets. 

Cigarette Butts mentioned in Litter Reports 2008 to 2017

The 2008 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report found that cigarette butts and cigarette-related litter formed 46% of street litter and food packaging & Sweet wrappers making up 17% of all litter.

The 2015 National Litter Pollution Monitoring System report found Cigarette related litter was at 59.8% – up over 13% on 2008, while packaging litter & sweet related litter combined was around 19% up a small amount on 2008.

In the 2017 Litter Pollution report, it was found that Cigarette related litter dropped slightly to 56.3%. Other issues such as packaging items constituted 17.6%, food related litter at 9%, sweet related litter was 7.9% and paper items 4.7%. It still shows that Cigarette Butts account for over 50% of the nations street litter.

For some reason, cigarette smokers have some sort of ignorance when it comes to litter. Cigarette Butts also contain over 4,000 toxins which can kill birds and fish – so why, when finished a cigarette do smokers flick their butt into the streets – in a “F**k it, someone else will clean that up!” attitude.

Smokers should be fined for doing this – after all, it is litter. If they are not fined then there should be an extra tax on each cigarette in a packet to pay for cigarette butt clean up.

Naming and Shaming

I think Ireland may have to Name and Shame pubs, restaurants or outlets which don’t encourage smokers to bin their butts when finished smoking. Perhaps there may also be a law which allows fining smokers who flick their butts into the street after they are finished smoking. This seems to be a habit amongst many smokers rather than finding a bin.

My Cigarette Butt 10 Step Challenge

I have observed a huge number of cigarette butts on the streets of Ireland. I have come up with a cigarette butt challenge. Basically, try walking 10 steps in any town or city in Ireland, observing the ground. See if you can walk those 10 steps without seeing a cigarette butt on the ground – it is almost impossible. If you do find a street or town let me know in the comments below.

I do have to reiterate that there are conscientious smokers out there who do place their finished cigarettes in bins provided. However, there has been an increase in this sort of litter, so it seems these smokers are in the minority.

Save the Barrow Line Petition

Save the Barrow Line Petition

I enjoy walking and as you probably know I also like photography. Therefore I’m always on the lookout for spots of natural beauty where you might get a glimpse of a sparrow hawk or a kingfisher or just a nice landscape photo. About a year ago I came across a walk from St. Mullins to Graiguenamangh. This is called the Barrow Line and the walk meanders along the side of the barrow and takes about 2 hours 20 to walk. (This includes me taking about 50 photos along the way!). One day while walking here I saw a sign for ‘Save the Barrow Line’ and I was dismayed to hear of the plans for this stretch of walkway.

What is the Barrow Line?

The Barrow Line is the local name for a unique natural grassy tow-path along Ireland’s second longest river, The Barrow. This river is one of the Three Sisters rivers and flows through towns like Athy, Carlow, Leighlinbridge, Bagenalstown, Goresbridge, Graiguenamanagh, St. Mullins and New Ross. The Barrow Line is used by walkers and cyclists who enjoy nature and the area’s outstanding scenic beauty.

The authors of Hiking in Ireland have described the Barrow Line as, “a peaceful green corridor a world away from distractions of the modern world. “

Save the Barrow Line

The Threat to the Barrow Line

Apparently, ‘Waterways Ireland’ has plans to apply for planning permission to replace the lush grassy surface of the 90km Barrow Line route with a hard surface. Locals think that this huge change will irreversibly destroy the fabric of this unique amenity – this is why the Save the Barrow Line petition was set up.

Personally, I think there are some major points regarding this hard surface;

  1. With the fact that this area has had such problems with flooding in December 2015, adding an extra hard surface is just going to make drainage even more of a problem.
  2. I enjoy walking on this line because 99% of it is a well maintained grassy surface – if I wanted to walk on tar or stones I would walk on the road. Why add more concrete, tar or stone to a very picturesque area.
  3. Nature flourishes in this area, making this a hard surface could in my view affect this. You see bugs, and insects on the grass all the time. I think it could affect biodiversity on the line.

I think the solution is to maintain the grassy line, and at most a single file cycle path as a hard surface. This would be a compromise which would see both parties happy should it come to an impasse.

Hopefully, it will not come to that and we will maintain a grassy surface on that walk. I have already signed the petition but you can add your voice to the Save the Barrow Line petition below.

It is important to add your voice to the Save the Barrow line. Having a hard surface is the wrong decision in my view as we have a beautiful area of nature and you are simply tarring over it. Not good!

If it is ever tarred over I won’t be returning to the area – tar and cement is not nature. 

 

Sign Save the Barrow Line Petition

Eastenders Indian Restaurant, Waterford – Restaurant Review

Eastenders Indian Restaurant, Waterford – Restaurant Review

Eastenders Indian Restaurant – Authentic Indian Restaurant situated on the Quay in Waterford, Ireland

Eastenders Indian Restaurant situated near the bridge in Waterford (South East of Ireland) is one of my regular eateries and always provides an excellent and authentic Indian cuisine experience.

I have a few criteria whenever I quote that a restaurant is an ‘excellent restaurant’.
Firstly I’m looking for comfortable surroundings, good service, interesting menu, food displaying the skills of an excellent chef. I also look for good presentation of the food and consistency of enjoyment (i.e. over repeat visits all of the above points are always in place).

The Indian starters here in Eastenders are very good. My favourites are Onion Bhaji, chrum fry (mushrooms) or the aloo pakora (potato). They also have a great selection of main courses (all using secret chef’s recipes). Some recommended mains  are the Chicken Korma which is mild and creamy, the Lamb Tikka Masala and the Chicken Rizalla (which includes a boiled egg in the sauce!).

I have always had good food and good service here at Eastenders, for take away or dine-in. Take Away orders are usually ready in 15-20 mins and it is always piping hot. I used to live around the corner from the Eastenders Restaurant and every two or three weeks I would get a takeaway from here. We were never disappointed – there were once or twice I felt that there was a bit too much sauce but apart from that I have enjoyed the food there.

Another plus in my book, is the Indian Music playing in the background. It really annoys me when I go to a Chinese or Indian Restaurant and Boyzone or Mariah Carey are on in the background. I am looking for the cultural experience, so the music of that country should be played.

A Buffet Indian Lunch is served on Sundays from about midday.

Prices are very reasonable and mains start from about €9.

Eastenders Indian Restaurant – Location

Eastenders Indian Restaurant, The Quay, Waterford, Ireland

Eastenders Indian Restaurant, The Quay, Waterford, Ireland

  • Service 70% 70%
  • Food 90% 90%
  • Location 77% 77%
  • Value for Money 90% 90%
  • Would Return? 90% 90%

This is an old review of the Eastenders Indian Restaurant in Waterford and my review was accurate at that time (March 2012). I have not been there since but if I am I will update this review to reflect my thoughts. I have not been sponsored or paid to review this restaurant and my opinion is my own and based on service and food at the time of my visit.

Pa Pa Thai, Waterford : Thai /Asian Restaurant Review

Pa Pa Thai is an excellent Thai restaurant in Waterford

Authentic Thai decor, a fantastic menu, and great service.

If you are in Waterford and you are looking for a good Asian or Thai Restaurant, check out Pa Pa Thai, located near the Peoples Park in Waterford.

Pa Pa Thai is one of my regular restaurants in Waterford … The service is also excellent and the food is excellent.
The Lunch is €13.95 for a starter, main, sides and tea/coffee or you can simply choose a main with side dish from €8.50.
The Early Bird menu has more to offer with a varied selection of starters, dinner, rice/chips/noodles, dessert and tea/coffee at €19.95.

 

The A La Carte menu offers a wide choice but my recommendations are…

 

Starters

 

Try the Mixed Starter which is a selection of delicious starters & sauces.

 

Main Courses

 

  • Pad Neau Nam Manboi (in Oyster Sauce) : (Mild) – Chicken or beef stir-fried with oyster sauce, onions, mushrooms & seasonal vegetables
  • Gaeng Khew Wan (Thai Green Curry): A wonderfully flavoured, little spice, made with coconut milk, red curry paste, aromatic herbs & fresh vegetables with your choice of meat
  • Masaman Curry (Potato & Cashew Nut Curry): This full flavoured but mild curry is bursting with delicious flavours such as nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cardamon, cumin & coconut milk with your choice of meat
  • Yum Neau (Beef Salad): Slices of tender beef mixed with onion, tomato, cucumber, lemon grass, coriander & mint, together with a zesty dressing & served on a bed of lettuce – I find this option very refreshing!
  • Seau Rawng Hai (Weeping Tiger Steak): Sirloin steak sliced & served on a sizzling platter with homemade sauce made from soy sauce, palm sugar, coriander & garlic – has to be tried as it is excellent!

 

It is rare for a restaurant to have so many good options on the menu, in Pa Pa Thai it is often difficult to choose from the great menu choices; Pa Pa is a consistently good restaurant.

Whatever you choose from the menu, you can be guaranteed that it will be good. Enjoy!

Address: Pa Pa Thai, 2 Canada St, Waterford, Waterford City, Ireland
Phone: 051 877 648

 

 

  • Service 100% 100%
  • Food 100% 100%
  • Value for Money 100% 100%
  • Would Return 100% 100%
Imperial Gardens, Chinese Restaurant, Cork Road, Waterford – Restaurant Review

Imperial Gardens, Chinese Restaurant, Cork Road, Waterford – Restaurant Review

The Imperial Gardens Chinese Restaurant Waterford

An authentic Chinese Restaurant, with a very well decorated interior, great service and a very varied and tasty menu.

The Imperial Gardens Waterford is a restaurant I regularly visit as it offers an unrivalled selection of Chinese food prepared in what is claimed is “the biggest Chinese food kitchen in Waterford”, … and I’d believe it.

Imperial Gardens, Cork Road, Waterford - Restaurant Review

Early bird special offers are excellent value, which is 4 courses for only €18.50. Some of the specialities include traditional Chinese dumplings or Crispy Wan Tan for starters and dishes such as Roast Duck with Ginger and Spring Onion or the Special Seafood Selection with Noodles. These dishes are perfectly cooked and taste great. Also on Sundays, there is an all you can eat buffet which is excellent value for money.

Portions are very decent but not so large that if you eat everything you are not overly full. The staff are very friendly and give you plenty of time between courses to relax while still maintaining a good flow to the service. It’s also good to see that they stock some more unusual drinks including an Aloe Vera drink which is very refreshing and if you haven’t tried it, give it a go.

The traditional Chinese decor is very nice and they often play Chinese Pop Music which is always a plus in my book (I believe that if you visit a Chinese or Indian Restaurant, Traditional music really adds to the atmosphere)

The restaurant is not centrally located but parking is available nearby and is validated for you before you leave. (don’t forget to ask!)

Imperial Gardens Waterford – Contact Details:

Imperial Gardens Chinese Restaurant,
Unit 1, Manor Village, Cork Road, Waterford.

Phone: 051-583690
Imperial Gardens on Facebook
Web: http://www.imperialgarden.ie/

 

  • A La Carte 95% 95%
  • Sunday Buffet 99% 99%
  • Service 100% 100%
  • Would Return? 100% 100%
M9 Motorway to open on September 9th

M9 Motorway to open on September 9th

The completed M9 motorway linking Danesfort Kilkenny to the Carlow section will officially open on September 9th at 11am. Speaking on KCLR Radio earlier today, Joe Gannon stated that the official opening ceremony of the new M9 motorway would take place at 11am on the 9th of September. (09/09 for the opening of the M9 … coincidence?) M9 Motorway outside Kilkenny to open on September 9thThe completed motorway will link Waterford to Dublin with non stop motorway and the journey time should be approx 1h 30 mins between the two cities with the previous journey time usually 2 hours 35 minutes. Currently traffic has to exit at Danesfort, continue via Kilkenny (or via Knocktopher / Thomastown route) to the Carlow section and resuming on the M9 just outside Carlow. The announcement of the official motorway comes as a welcome relief to travellers to Dublin from the South East as well as the people of Kilkenny (and Thomastown/Gowran) who have seen increased traffic as a result of the diversions. Roll on the 9th September … the only thing not on the M9 through are servcie stations or Motorway services, I wonder when these will be added?