Rathmullan Tidy Towns and Coastal Care team arranges weekly clean-ups in and around the town and on local beaches, working closely with local Primary and Secondary schools, to raise awareness among schoolchildren of the importance of reducing and recycling waste, and the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Bottle Top Art Project of 2023 focussed on plastic waste and the detrimental effects on marine life, and our work continued into 2024, with another joint effort, this time with primary school children.
The unveiling on 11th October of the large Art Feature was attended by the whole school, family and friends all eager to see the finished product. The collected waste and plastic debris had been attached to old fishing nets and draped over a small boat, further decorated with more marine waste, fishing gear, dog poo bags, discarded beach gear, and items reclaimed from skips. Appropriate repurposed signage was added, as was a discarded child-sized shop dummy nicknamed Jo, appropriately dressed in school uniform holding a litter-picker to further highlight their efforts.
The display near the Pier is a constant reminder of marine waste. Congratulations to St Joseph's National School pupils for their enthusiasm and dedication in compiling this feature. This unique project became part of a Cross Border Connecting Communities Project, funded by International Fund for Ireland, with Portballintrae, in the Causeway Coast & Glens, as they encourage environmental protection, and share similar coastlines with similar marine waste problems. Portballintrae community have also held a Beach Clean and compiled their own feature. All of the aforementioned has been captured on film for Rathmullan Film Festival 2025, with the Debut Screening taking place at Ray Community Centre, Sunday 23rd February 2025