Mayo-based groups and volunteer shortlisted for the Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Award

TWO Mayo-based groups and a volunteer from Louisburgh have been shortlisted for Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards.

Louisburgh-based ‘Keep Our Beaches Clean’ group were shortlisted in the Group of the Year Category, while Western Care Association were shortlisted in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category.

The Keep Our Beaches Clean Group are made up of several groups in the area from Silverstrand south of Louisburgh to some sheltered, sandy beaches on the Clew Bay.

They work to protect a large number of beaches along a long coastline, with members who do daily and weekly beaches cleans. In addition to regular clean-ups, in 2023, the group worked to raise awareness about several issues affecting our coast.

In particular, through a Clean Coasts grant, they worked closely with Clean Coasts to develop a campaign to tackle smoking-related litter, through the installation of cigarette bins and educational stickers on their beaches. This contributed to both the physical cleanliness of the beaches and raising awareness of responsible waste disposal practices. 

Mairéad Staunton is a volunteer who works with several Clean Coasts groups, including Keep Our Beaches Clean, Mná na Mara and Western Care Association, and she has been nominated in the Individual of the Year category.

Mairead plays a pivotal role in coordinating the efforts of these groups and in 2023, she went above and beyond by actively participating in all of Clean Coasts’ calls to action.

_{Mairéad Staunton, a member of the Louisburgh-based 'Keep Our Beaches Clean'}

Finally, Western Care Association were shortlisted in the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion category.

This group’s aim is to empower people with a wide range of learning and associated disabilities in Mayo to live full and satisfied lives as equal citizens, and they became a Clean Coasts group in 2021.

Western Care Association works with Mairéad Staunton and Keep Our Beaches Clean, and get involved in regular weekly clean-ups, in different areas, such as Bertra, Roonagh Pier, and Old Head Pier.