Mayo volunteer group come through as winners at national awards

Dooega Clean Coasts came away as winners in the Emerging Group Category of the annual Ocean Hero Awards Ceremony held today, (Friday, November 5). Held at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin, this annual event honours and celebrates the tireless efforts and actions carried out by Clean Coasts groups, individuals, communities, and businesses throughout the year to protect their local coastline and its surrounding environment. 

Dooega Clean Coasts won for their outstanding efforts in their short time as a registered Clean Coasts group. Established in 2024 with just four volunteers, the Dooega Clean Coasts Group has quickly grown, now with over twenty active members.

An Taisce’s Clean Coast Programme also honoured the number of Mayo groups that were shortlisted for their efforts. Mayo’s Keep Our Beaches Clean were shortlisted for Group of the Year, Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet Tidy Towns), and Bertra Connected were shortlisted for the Nature Guardian Award, Achill’s Biggest Beach Clean, an event collaboration by Féile Dú Éige, Féile Na Garrai, Circus250, Achill Tourism, and Achill Surf Club was shortlisted for the Community Action Award and Western Care Association with Keep Our Beaches Clean was shortlisted for the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Award. 

Speaking at the Ocean Hero Awards ceremony, Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment, said, “As an island nation, our seas are of intrinsic importance to us, environmentally, culturally, economically and socially. The commitment of An Taisce and all of the Clean Coasts’ groups to coastal care, coupled with their understanding of the importance of the sea as a life-giving source, is truly commendable.”

Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme Manager, said the Ocean Hero Awards are a great opportunity to honour and showcase the incredible work that is being carried out by volunteers. 

“Being in a room with so many passionate and enthusiastic volunteers, dedicated to protecting Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life always fills me with such hope and inspiration. 

“It’s reassuring to know that regardless of what is going on in the world, these groups will continue to quietly go about their work, making this world a better place for generations to come.” 

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