Eight Cork Nominees Shortlisted for National Ocean Hero Awards
Eight Cork nominees shortlisted for Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards, with winners to be announced in Dublin on 5th December.
County Cork is well represented in this year's Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards, with eight local groups and individuals shortlisted across seven categories. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Dublin on 5th December.
An Taisce's Clean Coasts Programme has revealed the shortlist for its 2025 awards, which celebrate volunteers and community groups working to protect Ireland's coastline. From the hundreds of nominations received nationwide, 45 finalists were selected across nine categories, with Cork securing a strong presence.
The county's nominees span community groups, businesses, schools, and dedicated individuals. Clean Coasts Ballynamona is in the running for Group of the Year, while the Health Services Staffs' Credit Union has been shortlisted for the Community Champion business award.
Ballynamona features twice on the list, with Ballynamona's Big Little Beach Clean also nominated for the Community Action Award. Two Cork individuals have been recognised for their leadership and advocacy: Proinsias Ó Tuama is shortlisted for the Leadership Award, while Mark McCarthy is nominated for Campaign Ambassador.
Cobh Tidy Towns joins McCarthy in the Campaign Ambassador category, demonstrating the town's ongoing commitment to coastal care. Clonakilty Community Resource Centre's Siúlóid programme has been shortlisted for the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award, and St. Colman's Community College rounds out the Cork contingent with a nomination for Youth Initiative.
The awards ceremony takes place on International Volunteer Day at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin, where winners in each category will be revealed.
Bronagh Moore, Clean Coasts Programme Manager:
"Community groups and volunteers are the heartbeat of An Taisce's Clean Coasts Programme. Every year the Ocean Hero Awards affords us the opportunity to celebrate and showcase all the amazing work that these volunteers do, in their own time, all over the country."
The Ocean Hero Awards have grown considerably since launching in 2006 as the Clean Coasts Merit Awards with just one category. Clean Coasts now engages over 2,500 groups and 45,000 volunteers across Ireland.