Wexford environmental group collect 24 bags of rubbish, four lobster pots and a tyre at clean coasts event

Dominic Berridge spoke about the history and formation of the lagoons at Tacumshane Lake situated behind the dunes of the White Hole Beach and about the various birds and wildlife that reside in this peaceful coastal landscape. Thereafter the group headed to dunes and beach front to start the clean-up of an area which is both a special area of conservation and special protected area.

It also has designated protected status due to its large volume of biological diversity which includes 14 species of water birds and ducks.

Helping to protect those species and others, the group collected 24 bags of rubbish, four lobster pots and a tyre before finishing the afternoon with a bun and cup of tea.

Earlier in April, the Tomhaggard Clean Coasts group was joined by environmentalist, Éanna ní Lamhna, for a nature walk in Ballycross which brought them along the Bridgetown canal and was “kindly facilitated” by those at Ballycross Farm.

“The group wish to thank Ballycross Apple Farm for providing such an amazing location for the nature walk with Éanna and for their kind hospitality afterwards,” said Ann Marie Kirwan.

In 2023, Tomhaggard Clean Coasts removed eight tonnes of waste from the coastline. Withover 50 members of all ages and multiple nationalities, the group prides itself on itssocial aspect as well as the beach cleaning. Uniquely, Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group diverts lobster pots which they collect from landfill by returning them to fishermen, deconstructing them for recycling, or upcycling them for various purposes.

This year the group has appointed a biodiversity officer, Thérèse Maddock, and will be launching a Sea Turtle Project with school children in June.