On Sunday, 21st June, the result of a colossal community effort came to bear in Kilmore Quay, County Wexford when Tomhaggard Clean Coasts hosted their second annual Coastal Connections Festival. In beaming sunshine, enthusiasm abounded as locals and visitors celebrated the joy of living by the sea.
Organised by the wonderful volunteers of Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group, the festival highlighted the wonders of Ireland’s coastlines and its biodiversity. The community group additionally organised a local beach clean. There were activities for all ages, from boules and SUP to surfing, snorkelling and kite flying. Alongside, the activities was a community market filled with craft stalls and information stands, such as LAWPRO – Local Authorities Waters Programme, Seal Rescue Ireland and National Parks and Wildlife Service. Joining the market were Clean Coasts, An Taisce, who offered activities such as face painting and educational materials. Think Before You Flush was there, and it’s safe to say the fatberg was the star of the show, drawing both curiosity and disgust. The team invited festival-goers to engage in discussions about marine litter, wastewater treatment, and ways to safeguard our wastewater network and coastal habitats.
Through the fatberg model, information and games, Think Before You Flush encouraged people of all ages to cultivate responsible flushing behaviour and pledge their commitment to the Think Before You Flush campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of flushing wet wipes and other damaging items down the toilet and to promote responsible waste management practices.
The Think Before You Flush campaign, operated by Clean Coasts – An Taisce in partnership with Uisce Éireann, emphasises the importance of appropriate flushing behaviour and disposal of items including wipes and other sanitary products in the bin, even if they are labelled as flushable. Only the 3 Ps, pee, poo and paper, should be flushed down the toilet. When items such as wet wipes are flushed down the toilet, they can cause serious blockages in sewage systems, causing sewage overflows. This ultimately pollutes our rivers, lakes, coastal waters and beaches.
The team also discussed the Think Before You Pour campaign that looks at the issue of pouring fats, oils, and greases (FOGs) from cooking down the kitchen sink. Instead of flowing freely, FOGs cool and harden as they travel along the wastewater network. When FOGs combine with sewage-related litter such as wipes, hair and dental floss, fatbergs can form. Uisce Éireann clears hundreds of blockages, including fatbergs, from the wastewater network every week. The Think Before Pour campaign urges everyone to avoid washing FOGs down the kitchen drain and, instead, dispose of them in the bin once cool.
Speaking about the festivities, Aodhán Power, Chairperson of Tomhaggard Clean Coasts Group said:
“We were delighted with the success of our Coastal Connections Festival. Kilmore Quay was at its best in the sunny weather and the music, activities on the beach, and on the pier helped to create a vibrant welcoming atmosphere. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive and it was wonderful to see such strong support from our community. The event gave us a valuable chance to showcase our work as a Clean Coasts Group and Clean Coasts initiatives such as Think Before You Flush and #2MinuteBeachClean. With excellent engagement throughout the day from people of all ages, especially with our fun and games, and the gruesome fatberg, our festival will no doubt live in people’s memories for some time to come.”