Bettystown group receive tourism award at annual Ocean Hero Awards

Bettystown Tidy Towns received the Tourism Special Recognition Award for the work they carried out to secure their first Green Flag Award this year.

At the Ocean Hero Awards the Bettystown group were awarded for their extensive efforts in preserving coastal beauty. Daily litter picks, the installation of beach recycling and cigarette butt bins, and the organisation of over twenty beach cleaning and coastal education days in collaboration with local schools, businesses and community volunteers, are among the list of efforts made by the Tidy Towns group.

The Tourism Special Recognition Award supported by Fáilte Ireland recognises their hard work in receiving their first Green Flag which will boost the visibility of the area, benefiting local businesses, and also serve as a powerful educational tool, enlightening beach goers on the vital importance of protecting and maintaining the beach and coastline.

Clean Coasts hosted the Ocean Hero Awards Ceremony at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane in Dublin, to celebrate and thank the groups, individuals, communities, and businesses who throughout the year have done outstanding work to protect their local coastline and environment.

Each year, the Ocean Hero Awards honour the invaluable contribution Clean Coasts volunteers, groups and communities have made towards conserving our spectacular coastline. Established in 2006 as the 'Clean Coasts' Merit Awards,' the accolades initially featured a single category, 'The Clean Coasts Group of the Year.' Over the years, the program has evolved, engaging over 2,000 Clean Coasts groups and 40,000 volunteers, becoming n integral part of coastal communities nationwide.

This year, Clean Coasts chose 7 dedicated categories with a total of 33 groups, organisations and individuals shortlisted for the title of Ocean Hero within each category. During the ceremony, the work and achievements of all 33 groups were showcased and celebrated, and winners for each category were announced.

In celebration of their 20th birthday, the Clean Coasts programme dedicated special attention to its invaluable volunteers and their contributions to the programme. The commemorative events featured a compelling keynote address by Conall O’Connor from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage, an engaging quiz and presentation by Clean Coasts biodiversity officer Liane Costello, and an enlightening talk by author and marine biologist Lucy Taylor, who graciously provided attendees with copies of her book, ‘Ireland’s Seashore: A Field Guide’. Notable contributions were also made by Shane Dineen, Environment & Planning Manager at Fáilte Ireland.

The venue was adorned with various displays showcasing Clean Coasts campaigns and initiatives, highlighting collaborations such as the #2MinuteBeachClean, and featuring information stands on topics like biodiversity and Marine Litter.

Commenting on the 2023 Ocean Heroes awards ceremony, the Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform, Malcolm Noonan TD, congratulated the winners and stated: “I believe that communities are where real, impactful change can be made for nature. When I engage with community groups in coastal areas and hear their thoughts and views on the marine environment, I know that I am working with an audience that is dedicated to ensuring that we have clean healthy, biologically diverse and sustainably used seas that are resilient to climate change. Their on-going efforts play a huge part in helping the whole country to achieve these aims.”

Shane Dineen, Environment & Planning Manager at Fáilte Ireland added: “The Clean Coasts brand is synonymous with environmental excellence, and its community engagement initiatives and environmental campaigns are undeniably contributing to the preservation of our coastal environment. The Ocean Hero Awards stand as a tribute to the relentless effort, dedication, and commitment of individuals, volunteers, groups, and the broader community in ensuring the longevity of our oceans. The diverse array of entries and the remarkable initiatives across the country are both striking and heartening and Fáilte Ireland is proud to support such a crucial programme that prioritises community and good will above all else.”

Finally, Sinead McCoy, Clean Coasts Manager said of the event: “Today, we celebrate the extraordinary individuals and groups recognised at the Clean Coasts Ocean Hero Awards. Their unwavering commitment to coastal conservation embodies the spirit of Ocean Hero Awards. Through their dedication, they inspire us all to protect and cherish our precious coastlines. Congratulations to the winners and nominees; your actions ripple into waves of positive change for our environment."

Further information on the Clean Coasts Ocean Heroes can be found on the Clean Coasts website https://cleancoasts.org/.