Rachel Cunningham
Sixteen-year -old Dub Flossie Donnelly is spearheading a new drive to keep Dublin’s beaches clean.
The teenager joined forces with clothing brand Craghoppers last Saturday, to kick off Plastic Free July with a beach cleaning event.
The marine charity, Flossie and the Beach Cleaners, aims to clean up a beach with the help of locals in the area, offering them a chance to learn about the damage that plastic pollution can have on marine life as well as climate change.
They visit different beach around the Irish coast every weekend to help reduce pollution on Ireland’s beaches, an effort which saw Flossie named Eco Hero of the Year in the Outsider Awards 2023.
The charity engages in this work, as plastic can release toxins into the water when it is dragged out to sea with the tide, harming fish and plant-life and contributing to adverse climate change effects.
Craghoppers will be collaborating with the charity for the duration of Plastic Free July.
“We’re so proud to be able to work with Flossie and the Beach Cleaners in this way. Their inspiring work has allowed everyone at Craghoppers learn about the most sustainable ways we can help keep Dublin’s beaches cleaner,” said Brian Fox, Managing Director for Craghoppers.
“Sustainability is such a huge part of the DNA of the brand, we aim to help people explore the beauty of the world as sustainably as possible and helping to take care of Ireland’s coastlines with a beach clean is a new step we’re proud to have taken.
“We are thankful for the work Flossie and the Beach Cleaners have done so far, we’re already looking forward to partnering with them again.”
The group managed to clear up 19kg of waste, including a credit card from 2003, underwear and false teeth.
“We’ve found a lot of strange things since we started cleaning beaches,” said Flossie.
“It’s important to see Ireland inspired to make sure that our beaches are keeping free from plastic pollution and its refreshing to see brands like Craghoppers, who genuinely care about sustainability and get involved with our work.”
- Microsoft Ireland pedals past €1m milestone for LauraLynn in decade-long cycling challenge
- Abandoned or badly parked Tier bikes up by 30pc during the summer: €20 fines applicable
- Glorious nostalgia as Shania Twain elevates at 3Arena gig
- €9m approved in principle for Iveagh Markets regeneration
- GAA Museum celebrates 25 years as a top visitors’ attraction
