Over 400 volunteers gear up for Big Beach Clean in Mayo this weekend

MAYO beaches will be getting a major clean-up this weekend as volunteers from across the county descend for the Big Beach Clean.

In total, 21 groups and 406 volunteers are set to join the Big Beach Clean this on September 15-17, with clean-ups taking place in various locations, including Achill Island’s Keel Beach, along the River Moy Estate, Mayfield Lake, Cahir Pier and Dalgan River.

Supported by Cully and Sully, the Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) organised by the Ocean Conservancy, and it entails an annual call-to-action for individuals, families, and communities to join forces to carry out a clean-up at the end of the bathing season and join a worldwide citizen science project.  

In 2022, more than 500 clean-up events were organised, with participants removing 42 tonnes of litter from Irish coastal areas and inland locations. With Clean Coasts celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the 2023 Big Beach Clean aims to surpass all expectations and make an even bigger impact.  

The results of the annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) have recently been released. These results show that, for the first time since IBAL started its coastal surveys in 2017, no area was classified as a litter blackspot in 2023. However, despite a summer marked by lower visitor numbers due to unsettled conditions, the study of 33 locations nationwide unveils that the majority of beaches still fall short of attaining a clean status. (See editor’s notes) 

Joining forces with the An Taisce National Spring Clean programme, the Big Beach Clean encourages residents from all corners of Ireland to participate.

Colum O’Sullivan, aka Sully, from Cully and Sully said: "As big fans of the sea, we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Big Beach Clean for a fourth year. It’s not just about giving our beaches a good combing over after the busy summer months. As we clean the beaches and waterways, we’re all being reminded how important it is to dispose of and recycle our waste properly."