From one man and his dogs to a mass movement to clean Munster's beaches

Clean Coasts Ballynamona founder Proinsias Ó Tuama is appealing for funds – and helpers – to help protect Ireland’s beaches, seas and marine life 

Proinsias Ó Tuama of Ballynamona Clean Coasts with his dog Podge on the beach at Ballynamona, East Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

It began as one man and a dog doing their bit for tidier beaches in East Cork – now it is a mass community movement cleaning 1.5% of the Irish coastline.

However, the Clean Coasts Ballynamona group is looking to ramp up its efforts even further.