Community Unites for Coastal Conservation at Ballynamona Beach

A bright and sunny day set the perfect scene for a meaningful environmental initiative on Saturday, 1st March 2025, as dozens of volunteers gathered for the Clean Coasts X Generation Glas Roadshow event. Organised in celebration of World Wildlife Day, the event combined a beach clean-up, an educational walk and talk, and interactive activities to promote environmental awareness and coastal preservation.

A Collective Effort for Cleaner Shores

A total of 25 enthusiastic students from Foroige’s Generation Glas programme, hailing from Cork, Dublin, and Tipperary, joined nine members of the local community alongside Clean Coasts Ballynamona. The day was not just about removing litter but also about fostering a deeper understanding of the local ecosystem and the challenges it faces.

Organised by Clean Coasts in collaboration with Generation Glas—sponsored by BiOrbic and Research Ireland in partnership with Foroige—the event was produced sustainably by Native Events, which brought renewable energy solutions to the beach.

A Day of Learning and Action

The event began with a series of fun and engaging icebreakers led by Martin from Let’s Play Cork, setting a lively tone for the day. This was followed by an insightful walk and talk session led by Clean Coasts Officer Elaine Doyle, who educated participants about local biodiversity, environmental issues, and conservation efforts.

Volunteers then took part in a beach clean-up, successfully collecting 40kg of litter. The day also featured a water-carrying challenge, designed to raise awareness about the difficulties many women in the Global South face when accessing clean water.

As the event wrapped up, music, dancing, and refreshments brought everyone together to celebrate their collective efforts for a cleaner coastline.

A Stark Reminder of Marine Challenges

While the event was a success, it also highlighted the serious threats facing marine wildlife. Volunteers discovered a deceased dogfish tangled in ghost netting and a dead seal washed up on the beach—the third such discovery in the area in recent weeks. These findings reinforced the urgent need to raise awareness about marine pollution and the harmful impact of human activities on ocean life.

A Shared Commitment to Conservation

Reflecting on the event, Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Officer, shared:

"There was a wonderful party atmosphere on beautiful Ballynamona Beach for the Clean Coasts X Generation Glas roadshow. The day was filled with fun, learning, and a deepened understanding of local biodiversity. It was heartwarming to see locals of all ages, as well as teenagers who had travelled from other counties, coming together to share, learn, and take action for our coastline."

This roadshow not only demonstrated the power of community-driven conservation but also reinforced the ongoing commitment of local volunteers and organisations in protecting East Cork’s stunning coastal habitats.

About Clean Coasts Roadshow

The Clean Coasts Roadshow is an annual initiative running from January to May, providing workshops and informative talks for coastal communities across Ireland. The programme addresses topics such as biodiversity, marine litter, dune systems, and sustainable development, while also supporting community groups in building volunteer networks.

For more information, visit: Clean Coasts Roadshow.

About Clean Coasts

Managed by An Taisce, Clean Coasts has been at the forefront of marine conservation in Ireland since 2003. The programme engages over 40,000 volunteers across 2,000 registered groups, organising hundreds of beach clean-ups annually and removing vast amounts of marine litter from Ireland’s coastlines.

About Generation Glas

Generation Glas is a programme designed to empower young sustainability ambassadors across Ireland, offering them training, mentorship, and opportunities to engage with researchers and policymakers.

As this inspiring event at Ballynamona Beach demonstrated, collective action remains crucial in tackling environmental challenges and protecting Ireland’s beautiful coastline for future generations.