Dirty Old Towns? in a national campaign to give Ireland’s dirtiest towns their pride of place back.  The programme is supported by the Dulux Let’s Colour Project.

The campaign will involve local volunteers coming together to change their towns in a positive way.  Speaking about the show today, Diarmuid Gavin said: “It’s a brilliant idea. We’re at a time in Ireland where I think we all have to take responsibility for ourselves, for society (there’s no money left).”

“We’ve gone past the days of the Celtic Tiger and I think we’re a lot more humble and people are prepared to get out and do something for their environment.”

“We still have a unique country. We do have towns and villages right the way round this country that don’t look like anywhere else in the world.”

“It’s all very well to sit indoors complaining and thinking how bad your life is. If you get out and do something, whether it’s picking up rubbish, whether it’s working with a neighbour, if you find you’re working with other people of a similar purpose it’s fantastic.”

Colm Hayes said: “Every single town and parish has something – it’s a derelict building, it’s a derelict site, it’s a car park, it’s a wall that’s about to fall down – and everyone goes around blaming somebody else or trying to get somebody else to take the responsibility and Diarmuid’s point is ‘It’s a collective responsibility’.”

The programme commences on Wednesday April 20 on RTÉ One.  Don’t forget if you miss an episode you can watch it on RTÉ Player