Clean Coasts awards for two Mayo voluntary groups

THIS week, Clean Coasts will recognise the work of some outstanding volunteer groups across Ireland by highlighting outstanding groups and individuals with Ocean Hero Recognition Awards.

In Mayo, Tarryfest in Achill will be recognised under the Outstanding Newcomer category, and Keep Our Beaches Clean Mayo in Louisburgh will be recognised under the Against the Odds category.

“Our initial aim was to create a volunteer group that were committed to keeping Louisburgh's and the surrounding beaches clean, raising awareness and working together to fight marine pollution,” said Louise Hastings of Keep Our Beaches Clean Mayo.

“I am incredibly pleased to say that it has been achieved locally. The beaches are much cleaner and the level of awareness has grown considerably. They are the most amazing volunteers and always ready to get their hands dirty.”

The Clean Coasts programme is Ireland’s foremost community-based coastal education programme, which counts on the work of over 1,200 volunteer groups nationwide. Every year, Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards honour the invaluable contribution volunteers, groups and communities have made towards conserving our spectacular coastline.

It has been an unusual year and, like everyone, Clean Coasts and their volunteers have had to adapt to the situation. The continued support, engagement and interest from the many volunteers around the country has been outstanding, showing dedication and resilience through these testing times.

Many Clean Coast volunteers made a great effort to carry out beach cleans while following government guidelines and restrictions, for example, dividing stretches of coastline to be cleaned, setting up online event registration to ensure numbers were capped and putting extra measures in place for sanitisation of equipment.

In a nod to the Ocean Hero Awards, the work of these dedicated groups and individuals will be highlighted in a week of online celebrations, from December 14 to 20, sharing their stories, achievements and advice for how other groups can get back on track in 2021.

“At a time when we usually celebrate our Ocean Hero Awards, we want to take a moment to recognise those groups and individuals who have gone 'above and beyond' to protect our coast this year and to celebrate our long-standing volunteers,” said Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities manager.