Cork kayakers row in on riverbank cleanup

A group of city-central kayak enthusiasts have been rowing in on keeping the banks of the Lee clean, heading out with bags and getting their hands into refuse left in trees and shrubbery along the river.

Cork-based kayaking enthusiast Ivan Keresztes took the initiative after noticing some of the man-made 'decor' on his usual boating route along the river.

"I am one of the lucky people, I live a short distance away from the river, so I am using my time for kayaking.

"I'm launching my boat on the slipway in the Lee Fields, and kayaking upriver. Because I love nature was always very sad to see the "decoration" on the trees - mostly hanging plastic, beer cans, plastic bottles - I got an idea take a plastic bag with me, and I started collecting rubbish from my kayak."

In response to his initiative, the city's watersports community has begun to muck in.

"This idea has now been shared with a few other rowers, and up to now three other people are collecting rubbish from their boats as well", says Ivan.

"My knowledge is we collected 11 bags of rubbish so far, but it's a fight against the wind... it's not an easy task, so I am very satisfied with this result."