Twenty cities and towns across the country have confirmed they will take part in this year's European Car Free Day on Wednesday, September 22nd.
Last year 17 cities and towns took part in the event in Ireland with over 1500 cities participating worldwide.
Parts of urban centres will become no go areas for cars and there will be free public transport provided throughout Europe aimed at encouraging motorists to leave their cars at home and use public transport, walk or cycle.
Mr Tom Halpin of Sustainable Energy Ireland said: "If, through Car Free Day, we can plant a seed in people's minds that there are alternatives to the car that address at least some of our needs, we will have achieved something positive".
According to Sustainable Energy Ireland one of the main focuses will be on promoting sustainable transport options for school children including car pooling, walking, cycling, public/private bus transport and the "walking schoolbus" which was successfully piloted in 2003.
Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail also stated their support for European Car Free Day.
The 20 Irish cities and towns confirmed to take part this year are: Balbriggan, Blanchardstown, Clonakilty, Cork, Dublin, Dungarvan, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick city and Limerick county, Navan, Portlaoise, Portmarnock, Portrane, Sligo, Tralee, Tullamore, Waterford, Westport and Wicklow.
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