Big Donegal Clean-Up aims for record participation

The launch for the 2025 Big Donegal Clean-Up campaign took place on a beautiful sunny day at the pier in Donegal Town where more than 70 people came together in a celebration of collaboration and community.

The Environment team of Donegal County Council who organised the event would like to thank everyone who took part with an extra special thank you to the Transition Year students from the Abbey Vocational School and their teachers Seamus Maguire, Emer O’Mahoney and Michelle Gallagher. The students demonstrated exceptional behaviour on the day. They were involved in every aspect from set up to clean up and their positive involvement was acknowledged by all in attendance.

Jono Griffin from Wild & Free Adventure Co helped the students on a Monster SUP to remove waste from the water and over half a tonne was gathered from around the pier. The students were a credit to their parents and teachers on the day and a refreshing representation of the next generation.

A special thank you also to the staff of Donegal Bay waterbus who also played a big part on the day.

Cllr Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, joined Cllr Michael Naughton, Cllr Noel Jordan, Cllr Michael Boyle, Cllr Jimmy Brogan and Mayor of Donegal Town Anna Gallagher. Michael McGarvey, Director of Service, Joy Browne, Tourism Manager and Mark Sweeney, Senior Executive Engineer and environment staff were present on behalf of Donegal County Council. Ernan and Mary McGettigan and representatives of the community chamber were also in attendance as well as members of the local tidy towns group and members of Donegal Dragons.

The Big Donegal Clean-up is an annual campaign which plays a key part of Donegal County Council’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. The campaign offers the opportunity for communities to come together and take a proactive approach to improving the environment that we all share. With year-on-year increases in the number of cleanups being undertaken, there is hope that the 2025 Big Donegal Clean-Up will be the biggest yet.

Speaking at the launch, the Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Cllr Niamh Kennedy, said: “It’s a pleasure to be here today at the launch of this year’s Big Donegal Clean-Up – an initiative that truly showcases the spirit of our communities across the county.”

Michael McGarvey, Director of Service Donegal County Council said “The Big Donegal Clean-Up — is a campaign that continues to grow stronger each year thanks to the dedication and commitment of our communities. In 2024 more than 900 clean-ups were carried out and more than 6,000 volunteers were involved”.

Get involved

This campaign sees the Council supporting individuals, groups, businesses and organisations in arranging their own clean-ups. The Council provides bags, gloves and litter pickers while also taking care of the collection of rubbish once it has been bagged.

The Council is also planning to promote clean-ups on its social media pages. You can share your photos via the following sites:

Twitter @DonegalCouncil
Facebook @donegalcoco

To sign up for this year’s Big Donegal Clean-Up call 074 91 53900, call to your local Council office or visit www.donegalcoco.ie.

Pictured: Members of the local community in Donegal Town pictured along with members of Donegal County Council, local councillors of Donegal MD and Councillor Niamh Kennedy Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council who launched the big clean up. Photo by Gerard McHugh

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