People in Meath & Louth urged to sign up to Big Boyne Clean up!

People across Meath and Louth are being encouraged to take part in a clean-up day for the River Boyne on Saturday, 1st April.

The Boyne Rivers Trust have joined forces with community and voluntary groups across Meath and Louth to organise this event to maintain one of the country's most famous waterways.

Volunteers will meet at six locations across the Boyne catchment including Mornington, Oldbridge, Slane, Navan and Trim with the clean up taking place from 11am-1pm. A clean-up in Drogheda will take place from 2pm-4pm.

The event is being organised by the Boyne Rivers Trust in collaboration with Trim and Drogheda Tidy Towns, Wild About Navan, the Gaelic Woodland Project, Sonairte and Councillor Elaine McGinty. The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) and Meath County Council are also supporting the initiative.

“We are meeting at six locations across the Boyne catchment and we would love if you could join us!” said a spokesperson. “We will provide all equipment, plus snacks and chats!

"Signing-up in advance will enable us to prepare a volunteer clean-up pack for you on the day."

The Boyne Rivers Trust was established in 2021 to protect and secure the value of the river Boyne as a wild, healthy, natural river, valued by all. This reflects the ethos of the Rivers Trust Movement in Ireland and the UK.

The Trust has received Meath LEADER funding to carry out a Boyne Vision consultation in 2023 and to develop a strategic plan to guide future projects which the Trust will undertake.

Aoife McGrath, community water officer for Meath and Kildare says “We hope that everybody with an interest in their local river will take part in this exciting clean-up event as part of National Spring Clean. Please sign-up and join us at your local meeting point. It promises to be a brilliant day and will enable you to connect with your local community, help protect your local environment and help restore your local waterbody. We are very much looking forward to welcoming you on the day and we hope that you will join us!”

The Boyne Rivers Trust said:

"The Boyne Rivers Trust and the Boyne Rivers Action Group think the "Big Boyne Clean Up" is a very important opportunity to engage and educate the community about the issues facing the beautiful Boyne catchment.This is the first time that multiple groups have come together to orchestrated a catchment wide clean up and it is an opportunity for the community to engage with these organisations and learn more about them and what they are doing within the catchment.

"This event would not have happened without the significant work carried out by LAWPRO, Wild About Navan, the Gaelic Woodland Project, Sonairte and Trim Tidy Towns and we wanted to thank them for their help and input organising this over the last number of months."

Cllr Elaine McGinty said: “The Boyne River is a vital natural resource that provides water, recreation, and habitat for a diverse array of plant and animal life.

However it has been under treat from pollution, litter and other forms of environmental dangers for many years.

" This clean up will not only help restore the beauty and health of the river, but will also bring people together and help foster a sense of civic pride and responsibility.

"This project is just the beginning, we must continue to take action to protect the Boyne River and ensure its long term viability.

“This means advocating for stronger environmental regulations, promoting eco-friendly practices and behaviours, and engaging with communities to build awareness and support for this important cause.”