• Clean Coasts were delighted to host a biodiversity workshop and a #2minutebeachclean and family day event in Myrtleville and Codgan’s Strand, respectively, and were enthusiastically joined by the local community.

As part of the Clean Coasts Roadshow series, Clean Coasts were delighted to host two events in County Cork. The Clean Coasts Roadshow are a series of free talks and workshops for coastal communities which take place all around the coast of Ireland between February and May each year. The Roadshow aims to bring together all those with an interest in protecting their local beaches, seas and marine life and environment. The initiative was launched in February, and so far, over ten events took place all across Ireland, including marram grass planting workshops, family days, beach cleans, nature walks, biodiversity workshops and more.

On Wednesday 29th March, Clean Coasts teamed up with Dave Wall from the National Biodiversity Data Centre in Myrtleville for an Explore Your Shore! biodiversity workshop. Participant were taken  through rockpools and shown how to identify different species. They were shown how they can be involved in a citizen science project, by helping collecting information about species they encounter on our shore and submitting information to the National Biodiversity data Centre.

Elaine Doyle, Clean Coasts Officer said:

“A great event where Dave guided us as we played in the rockpools and learned about the treasures there. It is not often we stop and look at these wonderful sea creature and sea life and take time to learn their significance. Stopping to do this is a great citizen science project for all members of the family.”

On Saturday, 1st March, Clean Coasts also joined local communities, including members of Schull Tidy Towns, on Codagan’s Strand, in Schull, for a #2minutebeachclean and Family Day event, which entailed interactive games, exploration of the shells, seaweed and life on the shore, and a beach clean.

Regarding this event, Elaine said:

“The sun shone for a beautiful day in West Cork. Firstly, we met members of the Schull Tidy Towns at the Harbour Hotel to talk all things litter and then on to Cadogan’s Strand for a family day picking litter, exploring the shells and wildlife we found on the beach, using waste in our sandcastles and enjoying the wonderful beach. A not so foolish way to spend April Fools Day.”

The Clean Coasts Roadshow are a series of free talks and workshops for coastal communities which take place all around the coast of Ireland between February and May each year. The Roadshow aims to bring together all those with an interest in protecting their local beaches, seas and marine life and environment. The initiative was launched in February, and so far, over ten events took place all across Ireland, including marram grass planting workshops, family days, beach cleans, nature walks, biodiversity workshops and more.

The Roadshow events are a mix of talks and workshops covering topics such as biodiversity, dune systems, marine litter, wildlife, sustainable developments, work by local groups and organisations, and more. Usually, Roadshows are an occasion to discuss how community groups can build capacity with volunteers, attract new members and share the workload amongst the group, as well as look at various funding streams groups can avail of, including our Clean Coasts grant scheme for 2023.

In 2023, Clean Coasts is celebrating its 20th birthday.  Since 2003, Clean Coasts has been working with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life. In 2023, the Clean Coasts Roadshow represent the first opportunity for the programme to connect and celebrate the communities and volunteers who have contributed to the growth and success of Clean Coasts over the years.