Seven Wexford Groups and Individuals Honoured at 2025 Ocean Hero Awards

Seven groups and individuals from County Wexford have been recognised for their outstanding efforts in protecting the environment at the prestigious 2025 Ocean Hero Awards. Hosted by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Programme, the awards ceremony took place on International Volunteer Day at the Gibson Hotel in Dublin, celebrating volunteers and community initiatives that have gone above and beyond in safeguarding Ireland’s coastlines. Wexford’s Ballygarrett Tidy Towns was a standout winner clinching the newly introduced Nature Guardian Award for their exceptional work on the Cahore Little Tern Project. This initiative has seen remarkable success in protecting the little tern, a vulnerable seabird species, through the installation of electric fencing, the creation of informative signage and collaboration with BirdWatch Ireland. The efforts resulted in 29 fledged terns this year, marking a significant improvement in local bird populations. In addition to Ballygarrett Tidy Towns' triumph, several other Wexford groups and individuals were shortlisted for their contributions to coastal conservation: - The Surf Shack Ireland – Shortlisted for the Community Champion (Business) Award - Courtown Community Council – Shortlisted for the Nature Guardian Award - Tomhaggard Clean Coasts – Shortlisted for the Community Action Award for their Tomhaggard Connection Festival at Kilmore Quay and also awarded a Special Recognition Award for their innovative mental health awareness campaign involving a salvaged chair. - Aodhán Power – Shortlisted for the Leadership Award - Campile Area Development Group and Duncannon Village Renewal – Both shortlisted for the Emerging Group Award. The Ocean Hero Awards, which have been running since 2006, have grown to include nine categories, with over 2,500 Clean Coasts groups and 45,000 volunteers across Ireland. This year’s event saw a total of 45 nominees from all over the country, highlighting the dedication of local communities and businesses to preserving coastal and marine environments. Full List of Wexford Shortlisted Nominees: - Ballygarrett Tidy Towns – Nature Guardian Award - The Surf Shack Ireland – Community Champion (Business Award) - Courtown Community Council – Nature Guardian Award - Tomhaggard Clean Coasts – Community Action Award, Special Recognition Award - Aodhán Power – Leadership Award - Campile Area Development Group – Emerging Group Award - Duncannon Village Renewal – Emerging Group Award The Ocean Hero Awards recognise and celebrate the exceptional work of volunteers, community groups, businesses, and individuals who dedicate their time to protecting Ireland's marine and coastal environments. With the addition of three new categories this year—Emerging Group Award, Community Champion (Business) Award, and the Nature Guardian Award—the 2025 awards highlighted a growing focus on nature protection and community-driven initiatives. In a keynote address, Oonagh Buckley, Secretary General of the Department of Climate, Energy & Environment, praised the dedication of the Clean Coasts community, noting the vital importance of Ireland’s seas and coastlines to the nation. Bronagh Moore, Programme Manager for Clean Coasts, expressed pride in the achievements of the volunteers, saying, “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.”