Over 70 students from St Ciaran’s Secondary School in Kells, and staff from Noveplast Teoranta at Seapoint Beach, Louth with multiple bags of litter and larger items found at their beach clean event and Clean Coasts Roadshow.

Kells students join forces with business for beach clean up

Enthusiastic students from St Ciaran’s Secondary School, Kells, and employees from Novelpast Teoranta join forces for a beach cleaning event at Seapoint, Termonfeckin, Co Louth, as part of An Taisce’s recent Clean Coasts Roadshow.

Together, they collected 15 bags of litter and removed larger items including a cone, rope, drums, and piping.

The event went beyond beach cleaning, with informative talks and discussions on the diverse waste found on the beach and the importance of preserving our coastlines. Participants were encouraged to reflect on the ongoing need for environmental awareness and collective action to protect Ireland’s beautiful coastlines.

Clean Coasts officer Aidan Gray explained: “While the beach appeared spotless from view, the group still managed to collect more than 15 full bags of rubbish over the hour-long walk.

“It was great to have short speeches and discuss the rubbish collected throughout. Apart from rubbish, there was also a lot of biodiversity spotted around the beach, including washed-up cuttlefish bones, starfish, and jellyfish. Though sad to see a gull carcass. It was a great morning of action, social fun, and learning.

“This roadshow event highlighted the importance of local community involvement in keeping our shores clean and safeguarding the environment for future generations.

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.

This initiative brings 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.