Group of the Year Shortlist
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
Ballygarrett Tidy Towns, established in 2005, delivers outstanding environmental care along the Wexford coastline from Cahore Beach to Old Bawn Beach. Supported by committed weekly and daily volunteers, they collaborate with local schools, clubs and organisations, often attracting up to 70 participants for major events this year such as the National Spring Clean, Biodiversity Week events, the Big Beach Clean and their “Team Up to Clean Up” initiative which encourages broader community involvement.
They also carry out additional clean-ups following storms or exceptional weather. The group plays a key role in the Cahore Little Tern Conservation Project, working with NPWS, local landowners and the wider community to protect this vulnerable species. They lead ongoing awareness campaigns to foster community understanding, participation, and education and actively promote responsible pet ownership through “dogs-on-leads” messaging during nesting season to help safeguard local wildlife. Ballygarrett Tidy Towns also enhances community wellbeing and accessibility through projects including trail management, the Green Dog Walkers initiative, installation of eco-toilets and new accessible seating and picnic areas. Their dedication to environmental protection and conservation demonstrates strong leadership in coastal care, nature guardianship and inclusive community action.
About this nominee:
Clean Coasts Ballynamona is an exceptionally active community group delivering sustained, innovative, and measurable impact along the Cork coastline. In 2025, the group supported and delivered a series of high-impact coastal clean-ups, including the Big Little Beach Clean. They helped remove marine litter from over 80 kms of coast, supported by more than 1,100 volunteer students and teachers and community volunteers numbering over 400. As well as beach clean education remains central to the group’s approach.
At the Ballymaloe Festival of Food, the groups marine education stand used #RetroRubbish, cigarette litter displays, a simulated “beach sandpit” demonstrating plastic persistence, and dog-fouling awareness materials to engage thousands of attendees, inspiring informed behavioural change. The group have substantially invested over in outdoor classrooms significantly expanding its capacity to deliver high-quality environmental education in an accessible, weather-resilient setting. Beyond direct litter removal, the group champions biodiversity and habitat conservation, they continue to manage 34 acres of coastal habitats since 2017 and support local schools on their biodiversity journey.
About this nominee:
Keep Our Beaches Clean is a dedicated Clean Coasts group based in the Louisburgh area. Founded by Louise Hastings in July 2018, the group began after she visited a local beach during a heatwave and was dismayed to find it heavily littered. Louise put out a call for help on social media, and twenty people arrived to join the clean-up. From that day, the group has gone from strength to strength and has now adopted more than 30 kilometres of coastline, stretching from Bertra to Silverstrand. The group also manages a highly active Facebook page with over 2,000 followers, keeping the community updated on clean-ups, events and environmental news.
Reuse and recycling are central to their ethos: toys found during clean-ups are stored at the beach entrance for children to enjoy and later donated to preschools, while clothing is passed on to charity shops. Keep Our Beaches Clean is a diverse and inclusive group made up of local residents, schools, swim groups and HSE service users. Volunteers are out daily, and the group regularly takes part in the #BigBeachClean, has piloted the #BinYourButtCampaign, hosted educational days for children, and continually encourages community involvement to protect wildlife and safeguard the coastline for future generations.
About this nominee:
Following their 2024 “Campaigners of the Year” award, the Rathmullan Group continued their outstanding work throughout 2025. A major highlight was their collaboration with St Joseph’s National School on SOS: Save Our Seas, a 15-minute film premiered at the Rathmullan Film Festival and later selected for the Inishowen Disappear Here Film Festival. Their public art display, Marine Waste & Plastic, remained on show until the Big Spring Clean in March, raising awareness of the dangers of marine litter. Large numbers of local families then joined the group for a full clean-up of the village, beaches and pier areas.
Work with the three local national schools continued through Environmental Days, gardening projects and litter picking. TY students also engaged in biodiversity activities, including dispersed orchard planting through the Mind Your Melon programme. The group hosted further workshops on bats, composting and pollinators, supported by ChangeMakers Donegal and DLDC. The Coastal Warriors and new volunteers from Ukraine, Poland, Brazil and Syria joined regular Wednesday clean-ups. Despite a busy summer season and increased visitor numbers, volunteers worked tirelessly to keep Rathmullan clean, supported by new benches, picnic tables and 2-minute clean-up stations. Their dedication continues to ensure Rathmullan remains a vibrant, welcoming and environmentally responsible community.
About this nominee:
Formed in 2018 with just ten volunteers, the Fanad Coastal Group has grown into a vibrant team of around one hundred members in 2025. Based on the beautiful Fanad Peninsula in North Donegal, the group became involved with Clean Coasts after welcoming the Donegal Clean Coasts Officer to their very first meeting. A major highlight of 2025 was the adoption of their first five-year plan. Following a full assessment of coastal erosion risks across Fanad’s beaches, the group decided to expand their focus from two to five beaches, strengthening partnerships with Loreto Community School in Milford and the newly involved Mulroy Academy.
This year, volunteers have been busy organising regular beach clean-ups, installing sand traps, and planting marram grass to help protect and restore the dune systems. They also received Clean Coasts funding to design and install informative notice boards and continue to maintain four “2-Minute Clean-Up” stations across three beaches. Inclusive and community-driven, Fanad Coastal Group actively welcomes new members through social media, local press, and community events.
About this nominee:
The Maharees Conservation Association was set up to protect, conserve and preserve. The Association was formed in 2016 following the extreme stormy winters where the coastline was battered by huge swells and strong on shore prevailing winds. While it started with a small group of concerned citizens it has grown to become a strong part of the this small community on a tombolo in the Atlantic Ocean very popular with national and international tourists alike.
Beach cleans, marram grass planting, fencing the dunes are a bit part of their yearly calendar but they also run a suite of events for locals and tourists, such as an easter egg case hunt and a highly packed summers schedule with a focus on the environment, biodiversity and local history. The group also get in the Clean Coasts calendar from roadshows to the Big Beach Clean. Their Neart na Machairí project sees them working on creative projects such including a podcast and art projects. These events allow locals and tourists to feel more engaged with their local surroundings.
Community Champion (Business Award) Shortlist
About this nominee:
Molly is a young entrepreneur running a very successful coffee outlet , located in the T-Bay surf and Eco Centre on the Prom in Tramore Town. From day go, Molly has supported the work of local community groups by providing free coffees to the weekly beach cleaning groups to encourage them in their continual volunteer work in all weathers.
She also promotes what they do and actively joins in with recycling waste coffee grounds and the 2Go Cup scheme. A meeting room adjacent to the coffee shop is always available free of charge for training events and seminars educating locals about the natural environment. Molly is kind, helpful and community oriented and her business is a trail blazer in championing for the community.
About this nominee:
Banna Rescue is an voluntary inshore and land rescue unit Banna Beach. As part of Community Rescue Boats Ireland (C.R.B.I) the organisation has been running since 1983. Banna Rescue is comprised of 30 volunteers who undergo training under the auspices of the Irish Coastguard and Irish Water Safety and they respond to emergencies on a 24/7/365 basis.
Their boats patrol from Brandon head to Kerry head but also do inland calls. They have been supporting Banna Coastcare since 2018, they help by hauling the rubbish off the beach, promoting events through their social media, storing the groups’ chestnut fencing and bringing it up and down to the beach when required and helping to take said fencing in and out when needed.
About this nominee:
The Health Services Staffs’ Credit Union (HSSCU) have played a vital role in supporting the work of Clean Coasts Ballynamona in 2025 through their sponsorship of the Big Little Beach Clean initiative. Their support made it possible for over 1,100 students and teachers to participate in organised, well-resourced beach cleans along the Cork coastline, directly improving the environmental quality of our beaches and strengthening local community engagement. HSSCU’s contribution goes beyond financial sponsorship. Their branding and promotion of the events have meaningfully amplified volunteer recruitment.
By removing financial barriers to participation, mainly by subsidising buses for the children, they have enhanced Clean Coasts Ballynamona’s capacity to run safe and inclusive events. Thanks to their support, the Big Little Beach Clean has grown in profile and participation, creating a lasting, positive impact on our coastline and community. HSSCU’s support throughout and genuine enthusiasm make them an outstanding example of how a local business can meaningfully support coastal protection.Thanks to their support, the Big Little Beach Clean has grown in profile and participation, creating a lasting, positive impact on our coastline and community. HSSCU’s support throughout and genuine enthusiasm make them an outstanding example of how a local business can meaningfully support coastal protection.
About this nominee:
Patricia McAteer, proprietor of The White Bar, has been a driving force behind Rathmullan Coastal Care since founding the group in 2013. Her leadership led directly to the formation of the Coastal Warriors in 2015, an HSE personal support programme for adults in Letterkenny. Each Wednesday, the group travelled to Rathmullan for exercise, fresh air and litter picking, building confidence, friendships and a strong sense of community. Patricia warmly welcomed them into her bar afterwards for tea and sandwiches.
Patricia continues to support the group by providing equipment and maintaining the 2-Minute Beach Clean stations. Post-pandemic, she ensured safe access to litter-picking gear outside the Pier Building. Despite her busy schedule, she remains central to weekly and early-morning clean-ups, coordinates the Annual Big Spring Clean, assists corporate volunteer groups and manages access to the motorised beach wheelchair. A long-serving RNLI fundraiser, Patricia’s dedication to Rathmullan and its coastline is truly outstanding.
About this nominee:
The Surf Shack in Curracloe Is an outstanding community champion. They support Clean Coasts through sand dune conservation, including watering marram grass over the summer, participating in the #2MinuteBeachClean initiative, and hosting events like the 2MBC Surf Clubs.
They actively engage with Clean Coasts groups across the county, attending events, facilitating activities at festivals, and helping wherever needed. Despite being a small, busy team, Jack-Tim and the Surf Shack crew consistently show dedication, enthusiasm, and hands-on support for protecting Wexford’s coastline.
About this nominee:
Nestled along the promenade of the wild-Atlantic town of Lahinch, The Coffee Hatch is more than just a beloved café—it is a vibrant thread in the community’s fabric. With every expertly brewed espresso, every friendly greeting, and every treat provided for locals and visitors alike, this business has become a gathering place where people feel connected, supported and seen. What truly sets The Coffee Hatch apart is its unwavering commitment to the community. Whether it’s supplying coffees and treats for beach clean-ups, sponsoring local fundraisers, or simply creating the iconic “third-space” bench where friends, neighbours, sea-swimmers and surfers convene, the café embodies generosity in action.
Recently, when the future of that bench was threatened, a “Save Our Seats” petition rallied hundreds in support—an emblem of how deeply the café is woven into the social life of Lahinch. From the smallest gesture—like offering water and dog-treats to four-legged visitors—to the larger acts of backing community events and fundraisers, The Coffee Hatch does so with heart. It is a place that reminds us being a business in a town is not just about service—it’s about stewardship, connection and lifting up others. As a nominee for the Community Champion Award, The Coffee Hatch stands as a shining example of how small acts of kindness and thoughtful service can ripple outward, creating a welcome space, boosting local causes, and strengthening the fabric of a coastal community.
Nature Guardian Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
Belmullet Tidy Towns has a proud history stretching back to the 1950s. They are an incredibly active group, carrying out a regular of activities from beach cleans to planting. They have grown from in volunteers to 30, including new residents, local disability service users and secondary students. In recent years, the group has focused strongly on biodiversity and sustainability, participating in the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan and winning first prize in the 2019 Together for Biodiversity Awards. Three volunteers also created a bilingual children’s book, An Bhumbóg Mhór Bhuí ar Strae: The Great Yellow Bumblebee Goes Astray, along with an accompanying school workbook. On 30 April 2025, the first Great Yellow Bumblebee Queen of the year was spotted on the Mullet Peninsula, a hopeful sign after two wet summers.
Belmullet Tidy Towns take pride in protecting this rare west-coast species through wildflower meadow creation, reduced mowing, and pesticide-free management. This work paid off with 690 Marsh orchids blooming in May and has earned national recognition, including a feature on ‘10 Things to Know About’ with Kathriona Devereux on RTÉ One. Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead / Belmullet Tidy Towns endeavours to continually improve our environment and to make our town a better place in which to live, work and visit. Ní neart go cur le chéile!
About this nominee:
The Cahore Little Tern Project has achieved outstanding success due to conservation actions, collaboration and public outreach. This year, two nesting areas were protected with electric fencing, new information signs were installed, and BirdWatch Ireland ringed chicks for national data collection. NPWS provided telescopes for public viewing, and school outreach expanded conservation learning. Guided visits allowed residents to observe eggs, chicks, and adults, attracting wildlife photographers, students, and environmental groups from across the county.
Ballygarrett Tidy Towns promotes the Green Dog Walkers campaign – dogs on leads, walking along the shoreline, and respecting and protecting the habitat essential for survival of the little tern. This year saw a rise to 29 fledged terns, demonstrating improved productivity, with one adult and two chicks later recorded in Jersey. The project continues to strengthen community stewardship and safeguard this vital coastal habitat. The success is due to the combined efforts of Ballygarrett Tidy Towns, local landowners, Knocksink Wood Education Centre team, NPWS wildlife ranger Padraig, and the game protection and wider community.
About this nominee:
Bertra Connected was established in 2018 by Murrisk Development Association to protect the vulnerable dune system of Bertra Strand, whose erosion poses a threat to nearby residential areas that rely on the tombolo shaped beach for protection. 2025 was a busy year for the group, growing to over 45 members and undertaking a significant amount of conservation work. With approval from NPWS and landowners, they closed off sensitive dunes, erected rope and sand fencing during a series of community events in the summer, installed temporary signs asking visitors, dog walkers and recreationists to stay off the dunes, and carefully removed fencing at risk of storm damage.
Their work was supported by funding from Mayo County Council, Quarry Consulting (Peter Kinghan), Rory Brickenden, and the work was assisted by Municipal District outdoor staff. The local community also got involved, with people of all ages including local environmental groups, Western Care beach cleaners, children, families, and even dogs on leads. The group says: “Knowing our work protects biodiversity, the dunes and the wider Murrisk landscape keeps us motivated.”
About this nominee:
Courtown Community Council fosters pride in their Wexford coastline and encourages guardianship of their Natural Heritage Area. What began in 1999 with just a handful of volunteers has grown into a committed team of around 15 volunteers who deliver an impressive range of community events and environmental initiatives. In 2025, the group took part in many activities including the Big Beach Clean, an Explore Your Shore event on their local beach, forest foraging walks, night bat walks, and a heritage walk exploring a Bronze Age settlement in the Courtown Dunes Glen. They also contributed to an RTÉ Six One News segment highlighting local coastal erosion and challenges facing their shoreline.
A major focus this year has been the development of their new Burrow Management Plan in partnership with Wexford County Council and Wexford Walking Trail. This forward-thinking plan will strengthen a variety of local nature guardianship, citizen science and conservation efforts. The group is also working with Wexford Walking Trails and the NPWS to introduce educational signage along the Courtown-Kiltennel Coastal Walking Trail, further supporting public engagement with the area’s rich biodiversity.
About this nominee:
One of the OG groups for marram grass planting success. The efforts have made a tangible difference to the location but the group continue to raise awareness about the dunes, the protection of those dunes but also the rich biodiversity of the dunes. Planting is one, important element, as well as taking in and out the fencing, but a lot of the activities in the area run by the group promote the value of the dunes.
The group know that action and protection only go so far, education is a tool they use to promote the protection of the dunes and create a fun environment in their vicinity. Their suite of summer events promote fun, environmental awareness, culture and history and said they want locals and tourists alike to feel part of the location and thus protect it.
About this nominee:
A handful of people started up Raheny Tidy Village back in 1992. Now, the team is made up of nine committee members and plus an additional 37 people. The group care for their inland town, rivers, plus nearby parks and beaches. Nature is a key part of their actions, with a strong focus on education, awareness and community action. They have a community garden and wildlife pond, are a pesticide-free village, promote community citizen science through river and bat educational events.
The group purchased bat detectors, which can be borrowed from Raheny Library, to enable ongoing citizen science bat surveys. In addition to their regular cleanup events, they also promote the Bin Your Butt and 2 Minute Beach/Street Clean Campaigns. They link up with local schools, sports clubs, and other organisations such as Suaimhneas Mental Health Clubhouse, Raheny Age Friendly and St. Michael’s House. While liaising with local businesses, they encourage actions to promote biodiversity plus nature-friendly lighting. Education around and management of invasive species is another key area they are involved in.
About this nominee:
Tramore EcoGroup ran weekly marram grass planting sessions with the community, schools,. Businesses, protecting their precious dunes has become another facit of their wonderful work. They started marram grass planting only 3 years ago and it has become a huge part of their calendar during the marram grass planting season. The marram plants are taking well and people movement over the most sensitive areas has reduced massively, giving the dunes chance to recover. They have looked to other Clean Coasts groups for inspiration and advice and have trial different concepts such as Green Gym to engage the community on protection of their precious dunes.
Alongside Tidy Towns, the weekly beach cleans do remove significant quantities of waste and keep the beach waste free, by promoting what we do we also alter and reinforce behaviours of beach goers. They finish their beach cleans with a coffee and a chat at Mollys on the promenade. The group has a strong biodiversity ethos with bird watching, coastal walks and talk, plant swops. Their passion is protecting their busy coastal town.
Community Action Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
Ballinskelligs Environmental Action Group run an annual Green Day in the village community centre in March. The event sees the hall alive with crafts, chat and learnings. The main room has local crafts, a children’s corner and music, there is a plant swop at the entrance along with local food trucks. In addition to the raffle fundraiser there are talk and workshops for the mind, body and soul, covering cooking, fermentation, environmental education, meditation, there was even a gong bath. This event is a one day annual community event that runs in conjunction with the groups beach cleans, gardening workshop, open garden days. The group do wonderful work in this small, popular south Kerry seaside village.
About this nominee:
Proinsias O Tuama is the driving force behind the Big Little Beach Clean, it is a wonderful outdoor classroom event on the beach for young children. There are usually 4 or 5 days on East and West Cork beaches for local school children. The group provide the buses, arranging them at staggered times to avoid too many arriving at once, each school has a different bib colour to maximise safety and order. There are 2 to 4 workshops stations laid out: Retro Rubbish, biodiversity, Think Before You Flush, at one event MET Eireann were present. The students rotate between the workshop, have a cup of soup from Cully & Sully who set up a soup station on the beach and do a beach clean led by TY students from St Colman’s College. Proinsias briefs everyone in advance about the schools, if facilitators needs to take noise in to account, pacing etc and also possibly allergies to ensure facilitators own lunches dont put any child’s health at risk, every potential issue is considered. At some of the events the art teacher and students set up face painting to entertain the children and there is a gazebo in case of rain. At one of the events Proinsias went and cut and grass to save the council a job! At some events the Community Guard arrives, for safety, order and to work with the children. It is always a feel good event. There is huge organisation involved. The County Council highlight this event as a Blue Flag education workshop. It’s benefits are many.
About this nominee:
Bettystown Tidy Towns continued its intensive coastal care work this year, maintaining a six-day-a-week presence on the East Meath shoreline. The group organised regular litter picks with schools, businesses, and the wider community, contributing to the beach retaining both its Green Flag and Blue Flag status. They delivered coastal education classes, hosted public presentations on dune ecology and climate impacts, and held a well-attended World Oceans Day event. The group advanced major dune-protection initiatives, commissioning feasibility studies for elevated walkways and planning new fencing and signage to prevent dune damage. They also installed large directional signs to improve access to local car parks.
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
The Clean Coasts branch of Rush Tidy Towns has doubled in size, from 30 to 60, since its establishment in 2018. They keep the town’s three beaches in pristine condition – some members even clean the beaches daily! Their motto is to put the “unity in community” and they carry out beach cleanups with the local national and secondary schools, scouts group, GAA, soccer, athletics clubs and Youthreach. The highlight for Rush Clean Coasts in 2025 was their running the marram grass planting with support from Liane Costello and Aidan Gray. The group have been linking up with other organisations for educational outings or presentations, including Seal Rescue Ireland and Birdwatch Ireland. They have used the Clean Coasts grants for 2 Minute Beach Clean granite plaques which have been installed at beach entrances. The group runs so many additional community actions including river cleaning and monitoring, community fun days and campaigning for the Reusable Cup Project.
About this nominee:
Tomhaggard Clean Coasts (TCC), founded in 2021, has grown from a small group of family and friends into a vibrant community of more than 80 volunteers of all ages and nationalities. Together, they care for a 28km stretch of the South Wexford coastline – over 10% of the entire county’s shore. Alongside their regular beach cleans, TCC delivered an impressive range of activities this year, including a Tern Conservation Talk, a Bat Walk, an Egg Case Hunt supporting shark, skate and ray citizen science, and took part in the National Spring Clean and Big Beach Clean. They also advanced their Dark Skies project, helping raise awareness about light pollution. A major highlight was their “Connections Festival” during Biodiversity Week, bringing the community together for a series of coastal-themed events celebrating life by the sea. Their Pride of Place presentation was another standout moment, showcasing strong community spirit. TCC also formed a meaningful partnership with “It’s Good 2 Talk” after restoring a chair found on their local beach, turning it into a creative way to spark conversations around mental health and community connection.
Leadership Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
Aodhán Power has been nominated for the 2025 Leadership Award for his outstanding dedication to protecting and preserving the coast through his work with Tomhaggard Clean Coasts (TCC). Joining the group in 2022 after an “Explore Your Shore” event, he became chairman the same year and has since been at the heart of TCC’s growth as a dynamic, community-focused group. He is often described as the person who quietly takes on the behind-the-scenes jobs that keep everything moving. Aodhán has built strong partnerships with local organisations and introduced unique games at community events across Wexford to inspire people of all ages to get involved in litter picking. He also maintains TCC’s “Returned from the Sea” unit at Kilmore Quay, restocking reclaimed fishing gear for reuse, and leads the group’s innovative Lobster Pot Project. In 2025, Aodhán played a key role in major clean-ups and coastal conservation initiatives, while proudly representing County Wexford as a Clean Coasts group in the all-island IPB Pride of Place awards and at this year’s “Keep Wexford Beautiful,” where TCC was honoured as the county’s Overall Winner.
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
Martha is a true leader, always tirelessly volunteering, looking for new avenues for funding and volunteering and championing others. She is an inspiration. She volunteers with both Maharees Conservation & Heritage and Tralee Tidy Towns as her passion lies with the rural and urban. When she sees an issue she jumps on it and finds a solution. In Sept 2024 at the Big beach Clean at Cockelshell Beach after finding so many wipes, she obtained LAWPRO funding, approached Presentation College Tralee and ran a behavioral change project in relation to wipes, which went on to win an Eco UNESCO Young Environment prize. She sets the seeds and gets the ball rolling. She never wants to take the praise and of course the groups are more than one person but a true leader leads from the back and pushes others forward, not seeking the admiration. This is truly Martha. Her positive energy and co do approach is contagious.
About this nominee:
Proinsias exemplifies the Clean Coasts Leadership Award: proactive, empowering, and highly effective. Proinsias is a powerhouse. Even with work, family life and furthering his own knowledge he also is the powerhouse behind Clean Coasts Ballynamona. Recently the group celebrated their 10th birthday with a party to celebrate the great work of the groups and stakeholders. So generous and truely understanding the power of valuing volunteers. He is the driving force behind the Big Little Beach Clean, an amazing school focused beach clean carried out in numerous location in East and West Cork. Hundreds of children are bussed to the beach (usually too expensive for schools to do), go to different classroom workshops on the beach and are led on a beach clean by TY students from St Colman’s College. By mix of being outside, learning from grownups and learning for teenagers makes this a memorable occasion. The group have a lot of equipment and the fund raising is tireless but yet the group pushes with on. Without Pronsias’s energy it is impossible not to follow.
About this nominee:
Katriina is the a true guardian of nature. She has played a key role in the conservation and safeguarding of the Tramore sand dunes over. Her work has included leading fencing projects with the Tramore Eco group, innovative projects creating sand dams and leading walks with various groups and schools educating them on the biodiversity and importance of the dunes to the local ecosystem. Her Nature Guardianship extends to work across country protecting pollinator friendly areas, no mow and workong as a Heritage Council educator. She is also a passionate advocate for seal rescue Ireland, heading out to the coast after storms rescuing seals who need to be rehabilitated and released. Her passion and commitment is to ensure there is a vibrant and healthy environment for many years to come for our kids to enjoy.
About this nominee:
Hazel Russell joined Rathmullan Clean Coasts in 2016, shortly after retiring and looking for a meaningful way to use her time. At that stage, the Coastal Warriors group, made up of weekly HSE service users from Letterkenny was just formed. Since then, inclusion remains central to Hazel’s work. She continues to welcome HSE service users, new residents from Ukraine, Poland and other countries through the Donegal Volunteer Centre, as well as local young volunteers. Weekly clean-ups always finish with a social cuppa, building connection and community. Hazel and the Rathmullan group look after the beaches of Rathmullan, the Pier and village areas, along with the green spaces around the All-Inclusive Playground and the historic Batts Walk, which is scheduled for refurbishment in 2026 . Hazel’s highlight of 2025 was working with three local national schools and TY students on the film SOS: Save Our Seas, supported by the Rathmullan Film Festival and Tmar Trust. Hazel is deeply committed to protecting Rathmullan’s natural beauty and inspiring future generations to care for it.
Campaign Ambassador Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
Mark is an exceptional Campaign Ambassador for Clean Coasts and #2MinuteBeachClean, consistently giving his time to organise beach cleans and integrating clean-ups into all of his courses. Year on year, he inspires the local community to take action, and brings people together to care for West Cork’s beaches and coastline. His dedication, consistency, and leadership have made a tangible difference, improving the health and beauty of the local environment. Mark’s efforts not only remove litter but also motivate others to take responsibility for coastal conservation, demonstrating the power of community-driven action and environmental stewardship.
About this nominee:
Presentation College Tralee and Tralee Tidy Towns have both worked with Clean Coasts in many different areas over the years so it was great to be involved with both on a wonderful project with a Think Before You Flush focus. In 2024/2025 Tralee Tidy Towns, at an outdoor surfing lesson, beach workshop, beach clean day on Banna beach pitched to the girls of TY to run a behavioural change project in relation to the use of wipes. The project became a wipe swop project for the kitchen called “Wipe Up Tralee Bay”. This team went to on to become Senior Water winners at this year’s EcoUNESCO Young Environmentalist Awards 2025. This LAWPRO funded project aimed to spread the message that sustainable alternatives are available for many single use plastics in our lives, including wet wipes. Not only protecting biodiversity in Tralee Bay but helping us to save money and save our skin.
About this nominee:
Tramore Eco Group work hard to protect the environment by the planting of Marram Grass to protect the sand dunes in Tramore. This helps reduce coastal erosion. The group have also helped local wildlife over the years by making and installing Barn Owl Boxes, Swift Boxes, Bat and Bird boxes throughout Tramore and County Waterford and work with schools and groups to promote biodiversity where we live. Over the past 4 years Tramore Eco Group have worked with Coillte in the planting of four thousand trees throughout the Tramore area. The Group promote the use of reusable cups to help reduce disposable cups going to landfill and are involved with the local Vitamin Sea festival by setting up an information stall, promoting the work they are doing in the community. They are actively engaged in helping to manage wild flower meadows which promotes pollinator friendly flowers for our pollinators and local wildlife. They do a weekly beach clean of Tramore beach to reduce the amount of plastic, rope, fishing material and other waste entering our oceans.
About this nominee:
Cobh Tidy Towns are a very active group with regular clean ups throughout the year keeping Cobhs streets and waterfront looking its best. They are also very active on social media regularly sharing updates, photos, and statistics from their clean-ups including their findings on the number of cigarette butts collected, which unfortunately often is quite high, with over 3,000 butts collected at one particular clean-up this year! But that doesn’t deter this group who aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of cigarette litter and encourage everyone to take pride in keeping the town clean and beautiful by using the town bins and ashtrays around to #BinTheButt.
Diversity, Equality & Inclusion Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
Clonakilty Community Resource Centre is a resource created by the people for the people of Clonakilty with the support of Cork Mental Health Foundation. It aims to support the general wellbeing of the people of the community. Amongst the many groups there are Siúlóid@CCRC, a weekly social walking group. This takes place every Wednesday with additional pop ups throughout the year too such as a recent visit to Seaview Alpacas in Union Hall, Co. Cork. This group also do a monthly beach clean on the beautiful Inchydoney beach and the group is joined every time by their friends from Horizon (formerly COPE) Clonakilty. The group always finish their day with refreshments and this can take the form of a picnic or visiting Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa after the beach clean. Eileen Sheppard, who works in hotel and organises the refreshments, is also a Clean Coasts volunteer. The crossovers and connection between all groups in the Clonakilty and surrounding areas is wonderful and really defines their pride of place.
About this nominee:
Costa Alainn is a great coastal guardianship to Seapoint, Termonfeckin, with multiple clean ups over the year. The group liaise closely with Louth County Council about beach amenities and facilities and are pushing for more accessibility for the Irish Wheelchair Association. The group also work closely with Termonfeckin Tidy Towns and other organisations. They monitor the dune system, following marram grass planting in a recent year and are making plans for another one in 2026. Costa Alainn are always great at showcasing their beachcomb finds to local schools and youth groups. Their efforts are a fantastic example of inclusion being fostered within a community.
About this nominee:
Navan National Learning Network (NLN) have once again completed a programme of engaging marine environmental actions for their students. With a coastal workshop at their centre in Navan, a clean-up campaign of the local River Boyne in Navan in addition with a talk by Boyne Fisheries linking river-to-sea, a clean up from Bettystown to Mornington, a clean up from Bettystown to Laytown, and a trip for students down to Seal Rescue Ireland where they adopted a seal pup all actions linking their coastal education with biodiversity and showcasing inclusion and diversity.
About this nominee:
Sea Synergy is a Marine Awareness, Research and Activity Centre based in Waterville Co. Kerry, founded by Lucy Hunt in 2014. Their mission is to create meaningful experiences in nature for individuals or groups which are tailored to their needs, enabling them to discover the rich diversity of Ireland’s environment and Wild Atlantic Way in a fun and memorable way. Since 2022 the organisation have been running monthly beach cleans, this is part of a suite of activities they offer the resident Ukraine and refugee population as a form of integration. A way for the new residents to learn about the newly adopted home and learn more about the environment. Since 2023 the group use Clean Coasts grants for excursions to other beaches on the Skellig coast, this enhances the attendees knowledge of the ocean, allows for litter picks and beach combing in another locations. Often these locations while not far are prohibitive due to lack of transport. Sea Synergy embody the concept of enjoying and protecting our oceans and coastline and making them a place for all.
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
Wicklow & District Lions Club, who in 2026 will celebrate 40 years in the community, continues to make a strong impact on coastal protection through regular beach monitoring and clean-ups along the Wicklow shoreline. Volunteers of all ages play an active role, with particular effort given to post-storm litter checks as extreme weather events become more frequent. The club has built an inclusive volunteer network, drawing support from across the community, including members of the Ukrainian community and residents of the local Direct Provision Centre. Their collaborative approach has helped strengthen community spirit while achieving real environmental results. In 2025, they proudly participated in the Big Beach Clean and coordinated multiple local clean-ups, ensuring consistent coastal care while also encouraging a fun, social outlet in the community. According to member Seán Olohan, volunteers from refugee and migrant communities have become enthusiastic regulars, eager to contribute, connect, and make a positive difference in the community. Their commitment highlights the club’s success in combining environmental action with meaningful social inclusion, showcasing coastal stewardship at its best.
Youth Initiative Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
Rathfarnham Village Tidy Towns worked with the 14 TY students from Loreto Highschool Beaufort to create awareness around storm drains and how litter that flows through them, ultimately can end up in our seas. The Tidy Towns and school group walked around the town and paid a trip to the Dodder River, meeting with the Dodder Photographers, to learn more about the interconnectedness of our waterways. For the project, it was necessary to get advice from a local artist, plus contact different departments of South Dublin County Council. The TY students came up with their own designs and did their own paintings for this Shore to Sea Anti-Litter Campaign. This is such a creative and engaging way to highlight how inland areas are still connected to the sea. This action will be extended to additional streets in the area. Other groups were so inspired that they will be carrying out the same action within their own areas. Rathfarnham Village Tidy Towns was re-established in 2022 and has tripled in size since then.
About this nominee:
At just 15, Cal Melvin has already spent most of his life protecting his local coastal and freshwater environments. A long-time volunteer with Clean Coasts North Wicklow and Greystones Junior Tidy Towns, he began beach cleans as a young child and still takes part in monthly beach cleans and the annual Big Beach Clean. As a Transition Year student and member of his school’s Green Schools Committee, Cal has turned his passion into impactful action. Through Wicklow WaterWatch, he helps test local streams for water quality and has contributed to wider citizen-science efforts like the DCU Water Blitz. He has also supported tree planting for riparian buffers with Greystones Tidy Towns and earned an Environmental Special Interest Badge in scouts. Working toward his Gaisce Amber Award, Cal continues litter picking, biodiversity recording, and is developing a Young Scientist project on protecting Little Terns in Kilcoole. He has visited Little Tern colonies in Ireland and Wales, spoken with wardens, BirdWatch Ireland, and the NPWS, and used his research to contribute feedback to Irish Rail’s ECRIPP consultation, advocating for nature alongside infrastructure in coastal erosion defence. Inspired by life between the hills and sea in Greystones, he is grateful to the local groups, organisations and teachers who support and encourage his environmental journey.
About this nominee:
The Fanad Coastal Group has the group been looking after the natural habitat on the beautiful Fanad Peninsula, since 2018. A major highlight of 2025 was the adoption of their first five-year plan. Following a full assessment of coastal erosion risks across Fanad’s beaches, the group decided to expand their focus from two to five beaches, strengthening partnerships with Loreto Community School in Milford who has been working closely with the group since to 2024, to protect Whiteshore Beach through an ongoing sand dune restoration project. The students helped the group install over 200 metres of natural picket fencing, along the back of the beach, and both groups took part in workshops, including a marine conservation lecture delivered by NUI Galway, and together replanted marram grass while monitoring its progress throughout the year. This partnership has grown into a strong and meaningful collaboration, with the project now entering its second year and further joint initiatives already planned. Students and volunteers also attended a combined workshop on climate and sea-level change led by Prof. Kevin Lynch from NUI Galway.
About this nominee:
Navan National Learning Network (NLN) have once again completed a programme of engaging marine environmental actions for their students. With a coastal workshop at their centre in Navan, a clean-up campaign of the local River Boyne in Navan in addition with a talk by Boyne Fisheries linking river-to-sea, a clean up from Bettystown to Mornington, a clean up from Bettystown to Laytown, and a trip for students down to Seal Rescue Ireland where they adopted a seal pup all actions linking their coastal education with biodiversity and showcasing inclusion and diversity.
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
For over half a century, the West Coast Surf Club has stood as a cornerstone of Irish surf culture and coastal stewardship. Founded in Lahinch in 1970, the club was created by a small group of passionate pioneers who believed that surfing could be more than a sport — it could be a force for community, connection, and care for the natural world. Today, that same vision continues to guide everything the club does. The West Coast Surf Club is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of surfers — not just as athletes, but as ocean guardians. Its youth programmes introduce young people to the sea in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment, teaching them to read the waves, understand tides and rip currents, and develop confidence in open water. Equally important, they learn respect: for each other, for the community, and for the fragile ecosystems that sustain coastal life. Environmental awareness is woven into the fabric of the club. Members lead beach clean-ups, participate in marine conservation campaigns, and educate young surfers on sustainable practices both in and out of the water. The club advocates for protecting Lahinch’s coastline and champions the message that every surfer has a role to play in preserving the ocean for future generations.
Emerging Group Award Shortlist
About this nominee:
About this nominee:
Established in 2024 with just 4 volunteers, the Dooega Clean Coasts Group has quickly grown into a vibrant community effort with over 20 active members, welcoming everyone, with volunteers from ages 3 to 83, along with visitors from across Ireland and local Ukrainian neighbours. Working on Dooega’s beautiful coastline, the group has made amazing progress in a short time, in 2025, they took part in themed events such as Love Dooega Beach this Valentines, Go Green for St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Bunny Clean-ups, the Big Beach Clean, carried out 2 minute beach cleans weekly and created an impressive Halloween Scarecrow Trail using items collected during clean-ups. As an island community, they value protecting their coast and take pride in educating all ages about its environment. They also collaborate regularly with Féile Dú Éige to provide refreshments after each clean-up, fostering connection and belonging. The group say, “You never feel bad after a beach clean, there’s always a great sense of achievement, especially when joined by other members of our community.”
About this nominee:
Duncannon Village Renewal, County Wexford have hit the ground running with their clean coast activities focused primarily on the mile-long golden beach that stretches east from the village’s historic 16th century military fort. Having registered as a Clean Coasts group earlier this year, they have already demonstrated a major commitment through coastal initiatives to protect marine habitats along the Hook Peninsula – including removing litter and ocean-bound plastic in the most remote beaches of the Hook. Among their community highlights this year was the revival of the annual Duncannon Festival in July 2025, following a hiatus during the Covid years. The festival engaged both residents and visitors with a vibrant programme of events, activities and fun on Duncannon Beach and throughout the village, including marine conservation and environmental workshops aimed at children and their families. They also took part in this year’s Big Beach Clean event in September. In pursuit of Blue Flag status, Duncannon Village Renewal is committed to working closely with their community to raise awareness of marine and coastal conservation and to maintaining the standard of excellent water quality, biodiversity and habitats around Duncannon Beach.
About this nominee:
Founded in 2022 by a coalition of concerned parents in rural North Clare, Wild Earth was born out of a vision to support young people’s wellbeing through deep connection with nature. What began as a response to the rising concerns of anxiety, depression and disconnection among youth in the area has flourished into a vibrant, nature-based learning community. At its core, Wild Earth’s mission is to empower young people aged 5–18 through immersive outdoor experiences, restorative learning and meaningful participation. Participants are invited to explore, create, and decide within a natural setting – be that gardens, woodlands, riverbanks or beach-front. Their approach is grounded in respect—respect for each individual, for the living world, and for the freedom to grow. Young people are trusted to engage, inquire and lead their own journey—with adult facilitation rather than direction. Environmental awareness and sustainability are woven through everything Wild Earth does. From harvesting rainwater and practising off-grid methods, to leading monthly clean-ups of local beaches and rivers, the organisation continues to model ecological responsibility while nurturing the next generation of nature-literate citizens.
About this nominee:
The VG Environment Group are a group of hugely dedicated volunteers. The group recently registered as a Clean Coasts group but have been cleaning up their area for 35 years. The group is very inclusive, with people of all ages helping out, and seniors making up the majority of the members. The VG Environment Group protects their nearby river and waterways by carrying out cleanups of the Santry river, around storm drains and cleaning along the roads of the area. The group have won the Environmental Award as awarded by Dublin City Council. They will soon also represent North Central Dublin in the Dublin Awards.
About this nominee:
BannerGleo is a coastal community association working to support the natural capital and ecological integrity of Liscannor Bay by engaging with visitors and local stakeholders, delivering educational events and activities and completing scientific research and surveys. Recent projects have included the creation of a Community Biodiversity Action Plan for Liscannor Bay (completed over two years and funded by Community Foundation Ireland) and the delivery of a series of summer events in partnership with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group as part of their Local Biodiversity Action Fund programme. An element of the former were school workshop days, where we delivered primary classroom sessions followed by an outdoors ecological study on the reefs at Lahinch Beach, and we are currently arranging more of these activities with other schools in the locality.
