The sun was shining on Ballynamona Beach in East Cork for a day filled with community spirit and coastal action on Saturday, March 1st last. Dozens came out for the Clean Coasts X Generation Glas Roadshow event, for a beach clean, walk and talk to celebrate World Wildlife Day.
25 enthusiastic and passionate students from Foroige’s Generation Glas programme, from Cork, Dublin and Tipperary, joined nine members of the local community and Clean Coasts Ballynamona for a day dedicated to coastal preservation and local biodiversity.
The afternoon kicked off with a series of fun icebreakers led by Martin, a play strategist from Let’s Play Cork, who engaged the group with exciting games. Clean Coasts Officer, Elaine Doyle, then led a walk and talk, offering insight into local biodiversity and environmental issues, followed by a beach clean-up in which 40kg of litter was collected.
Participants also took part in a thought-provoking water-carrying challenge, simulating the daily journey many women in the Global South make to collect water, which highlighted the importance of global water access.
The day wrapped up with music, dancing, and refreshments, bringing everyone together to celebrate their collective efforts for a cleaner, more sustainable coastline.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES
However, the event also served as a poignant reminder of the challenges our marine environment faces. The group found a deceased dogfish tangled in ghost netting and a dead seal washed up on the beach which marked the third found in the area in recent times. These discoveries brought a focus on the importance of raising awareness on the impact of human litter on our oceans and marine life.
Speaking about the event, Clean Coasts Officer Elaine Doyle said, “There was a wonderful party atmosphere on beautiful Ballynamona Beach for the Clean Coasts X Generation Glas roadshow. The day was filled with fun, learning, and a deepened understanding of local biodiversity. It was heartwarming to see locals of all ages, as well as teenagers who had travelled from other counties, coming together to share, learn, and take action for our coastline.”
This roadshow highlighted the growing community commitment to coastal conservation with participants taking tangible steps to protect and preserve East Cork’s unique coastal habitats.
CLEAN COASTS ROADSHOW
The event was a collaboration between Clean Coasts and the Generation Glas programme, which is sponsored by BiOrbic and Research Ireland and in partnership with Foroige, was sustainably produced by Native Events bringing renewable energy to the beach.
The Clean Coasts Roadshow is a series of informative talks and workshops tailored for coastal communities across Ireland, taking place between January and May each year, bringing together individuals interested in protecting their local beaches, seas and marine environments.
The Roadshow events cover a range of topics, including biodiversity, dune systems, marine litter, wildlife, sustainable developments, and the work of local groups and organizations. These events also serve as a platform for community groups to discuss practical matters, such as building volunteer capacity, attracting new members, and sharing responsibilities.
