As 2021 comes to a close it's time to meet the people who did their bit for the oceans and coasts around Ireland with the Ocean Hero Awards from Clean Coasts Ireland.
Watch the video above as the winners in each of the ten categories located across Ireland had a Covid safe awards ceremony where they were presented with their very own engraved Ocean Heroes trophy.
In 2021 a total of 36 groups, organisations and individuals were shortlisted for the title of Ocean Hero within each of the ten categories.
All shortlisted nominees were sent a congratulatory package to thank them for their contribution to coasts across Ireland despite the various challenges that 2021 brought.
The ten winners from each of the categories hail from all over Ireland, including Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Louth, Mayo, Sligo and Wexford.
If you or your local group or school want to get involved and maybe even pick up an award next year here are some great resources to get started...
And you can find out much more on the Clean Coasts website. The awards allow all ages to get involved, so everyone can play their part.
See the list of winners below and you can learn more about them and all the nominees HERE!
Group of the Year Award Winner 2021
Cooley Community Alert Peninsula Marine, Dundalk, County Louth.
Individual of the Year Award Winner 2021
Mairead Staunton Keep Our Beaches Clean, County Mayo.
Youth of the Year Award Winner 2021
St Colman's Community College, Midleton, County Cork.
#2minutebeachclean Leader Award Winner 2021
Sean Ferguson, County Wexford.
Big Beach Clean Award Winner 2021
Banna Beach Coastcare Group, Tralee, County Kerry.
Enjoy and Protect Award Winner 2021
Subowti, County Cork.
Beach Clean Bubble Award Winner 2021
Keep Our Beaches Clean, County Mayo.
Think Before You Flush Award 2021
Martina Butler – North West Sea Kayaking Association, County Sligo.
Corporate Volunteering Award Winner 2021
Lidl Ireland
Amazing Efforts Award Winner 2021
Caroline Davy, County Cork.
