An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme celebrated, Banner Gleo, West Coast Surf Club, Wild Earth and Coffee Hatch Lahinch from county Clare who made a difference for our marine environment this year with honours in three categories at the 2025 Ocean Hero Awards
On International Volunteer Day, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme announced the winners of the annual Ocean Hero Awards in a ceremony held at the Gibson Hotel, Dublin. This yearly event honours and celebrates the tireless efforts and actions carried out during the year by Clean Coasts groups, individuals, communities, and businesses to protect their local coastline and its surrounding environment.
Each year the Ocean Hero Awards shine a spotlight on the invaluable contribution and dedication of Clean Coasts volunteers, who have gone above and beyond to care for and protect their coastal environment and heritage. The awards, established in 2006 as the ‘Clean Coasts Merit Awards’ and initially featuring only a single category, has grown year on year to include nine categories in 2025, commending 45 groups and individuals nationwide for their outstanding coastal conservation actions.
This year Clean Coasts set out nine distinct categories, and after receiving hundreds of nominations, a total of 45 groups, organisations and individuals made the shortlist for the title of Ocean Hero in each category.
In County Clare four groups were shortlisted across four categories in this year’s awards, for their ongoing efforts in protecting and preserving their adopted beaches and coastline in county Clare. Banner Gleo, West Coast Surf Club, Wild Earth and Coffee Hatch Lahinch all received honours in making the shortlist across three categories: Emerging Group, Youth Initiative and Community Champion.
Both Banner Gleo and Wild Earth were shortlisted in the new for 2025 Emerging Group Category, highlighting the efforts of groups that are new to the Clean Coasts Programme. Throughout 2025 Banner Gleo completed a Community Biodiversity Action Plan for Liscannor Bay and delivered a series of summer events in partnership with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group as part of their Local Biodiversity Action Fund programme. Wild Earth empowered young people aged 5–18, through immersive outdoor experiences, restorative learning and meaningful participation, promoting environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives such as leading monthly clean-ups of local beaches and rivers.
The West Coast Surf Club made the shortlist in the Youth Initiative category for their work throughout 2025. This group showed dedication in fostering a strong sense of community through a variety of programmes, as part of their ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship. They actively led regular beach clean-ups, participated in marine conservation campaigns, and educated young surfers on sustainable practices both in and out of the water.
Also making the shortlist from County Clare was Coffee Hatch, Lahinch in the Community Champion (Business Award). A category that was re-introduced for 2025 to highlight the support given by local businesses in coastal communities. The Coffee Hatch supplied coffees and treats for beach clean-ups, sponsored local fundraisers, and created the iconic “third-space” bench where friends, neighbours, sea-swimmers and surfers convene, all while embodying generosity and community spirit.
Special recognition award: Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, who upon salvaging an old chair from the sea turned it into an awareness campaign and fundraiser for a mental health charity. Demonstrating that the sea inspires in many different ways.
As of 2025 there are over 2,500 Clean Coasts groups across Ireland with over 45,000 volunteers who are actively engaging with the programme who showcase efforts integral to their coastal communities nationwide.
The event featured a keynote address by Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment Oonagh Buckley, contributions from An Taisce’s CEO Gary Freemantle, and a panel discussion around topics as community action and eco-volunteering also captivated the attendees.
Speaking at the Ocean Hero Awards ceremony, Oonagh Buckley Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment said, “As an island nation, our seas are of intrinsic importance to us, environmentally, culturally, economically and socially. The commitment of An Taisce and all of the Clean Coasts’ groups to coastal care coupled with their understanding of the importance of the sea as a life-giving source is truly commendable.”
Shane Dineen, Environment & Planning Manager at Fáilte Ireland said: “Fáilte Ireland has been proudly supporting An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme for over a decade. The Ocean Hero Awards recognise the unwavering dedication, hard work, and commitment of individuals, volunteers, groups, and the broader community in safeguarding the future of our coastline and oceans. It is fantastic to see such a wide variety of entries across all award categories and the outstanding initiatives from across the country. The Clean Coasts groups are making an outstanding contribution to Ireland’s coastal environment through their conservation work which protects and enhances our extensive coastline and is highly valued by local communities and visitors alike.”
Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme Manager said: “The Ocean Hero Awards gives us a fantastic opportunity to honour and showcase the incredible work that is being carried out every day by volunteers in the Clean Coast Community. Being in a room with so many passionate and enthusiastic volunteers, dedicated to protecting Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life always fills me with such hope and inspiration. It’s reassuring to know that regardless of what is going on in the world these groups will continue to quietly go about their work, making this world a better place for generations to come.”
This year three new categories were added to the awards list. The Emerging Group award was added to recognise and encourage groups who are just starting out but are already making their mark. The Community Champion is a new business award included to recognise the small local businesses who are so giving of their time and resources to our community groups.
Local businesses are the backbone of our communities, and this was our way of highlighting their valuable contribution. Finally, the Nature Guardian award was included this year as we’ve seen such a jump in the number of nature projects that Clean Coasts community groups are leading and supporting. Nature needs protection now more than ever and this award highlights the various ways that coastal communities are doing their best to give back.
The full list of 2025 winners was announced as follows:
Group of the Year Award: Clean Coasts Ballynamona, Cork.
Leadership Award: Katriina Bent, Tramore Eco Group, Waterford.
Campaign Ambassador Award: Presentation College & Tralee Tidy Towns, Kerry, for the Think Before You Flush Campaign.
Youth Initiative Award: Fanad Coastal Group with Loreto Community School Milford, Donegal, for Dune Conservation efforts.
Community Action Award: Rush Tidy Towns, Dublin, for the variety of environmental actions and activities they have held throughout the year.
Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion Award: Wicklow Lions Club, Wicklow.
Community Champion (Business Award): Patricia McAteer – White Harte Bar, Rathmullan, Donegal.
Nature Guardian Award: Ballygarrett Tidy Towns, for the Cahore Little Tern Project, Wexford.
Emerging Group Award: Dooega Clean Coasts, Mayo.