Louth project makes long-list of Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026

A conservation project for one of Ireland’s rarest breeding seabirds in County Louth has made the long-list of Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026 and as a result is now in contention to win a category award and potentially the overall title in Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026.

The project, Baltray Little Tern Conservancy which is located at The Haven, at the mouth of the Boyne Estuary and has been in existence for established 20 years, has been nominated in the Greenest Community category.

The Conservancy protect a nationally important breeding colony of the Little Tern (Sternula Albifrons), an amber-listed species of conservation concern.

In her pitch Helen Hanratty describes it as one of Ireland's most inspiring examples of community-led nature conservation, protecting one of our rarest and most vulnerable seabirds, while demonstrating how people and nature can successfully share a coastal landscape.

“For 20 years, the project has safeguarded this sensitive coastal habitat through a combination of scientific monitoring, habitat management, public engagement and round-the-clock protection during the breeding season.

“The site forms part of a network of internationally important, protected areas (SPAs) and provides critical nesting habitat for Little Terns and other ground-nesting birds. The project tackles significant environmental challenges including habitat loss, climate change, coastal erosion, predation and disturbance from recreational users.”

“Through seasonal fencing, predator management, volunteer support, education programmes and community outreach, the conservancy has successfully balanced public access with the protection of a highly sensitive wildlife site.

“From 41 fledged chicks in 2007, the colony produced a record 247 fledglings in 2025, achieving an 80% hatching success rate and demonstrating the effectiveness of long-term conservation action.

“This important east coast colony project contributes valuable scientific data through monitoring and bird ringing programmes that support conservation efforts nationally and internationally.

“Beyond the ecological benefits, the conservancy has inspired generations of volunteers, educated thousands of visitors about biodiversity and created a strong culture of environmental stewardship in County Louth.”

“Led by the Louth Nature Trust, it stands as a flagship example of how dedication, science, partnership and community action can reverse biodiversity decline and secure a future for wildlife. Baltray Little Tern Conservancy is not only one of Ireland's greenest places, it’s also one of its most successful conservation success stories.”

There are eight nominees for Ireland’s Greenest Community so the project will be up against Castleknock GAA club, Treasure the Tolka and St Mark’s Youth and Family Centre all Dublin, the University of Galway, Enniscorthy Community Allotments in Wexford, the Circular Square in Clonmel and Ballon in County Carlow.

This is the second year of ‘Ireland’s Greenest Places 2026’, an initiative, which is being run by The Irish Times in association with Electric Ireland. It began in late May when members of the public were invited to nominate a special place, person or project which they believe contributes to a genuinely greener environment.

The Little Tern Conservancy was among almost 90 nominations received from members of the public from all over the country.

One of the main aims of the competition is to showcase what can be achieved when people work together to deliver more sustainable and greener communities.

Eamon Ryan, former minister for the environment and leader of the Green Party, is one of the judges. He said the judging panel had been very impressed by the quality and diversity of the environmental projects being undertaken around the country.

“It was a real challenge for us to come up with the long-list, and we spent many hours reviewing and debating the entries. But that is a compliment to the excellent quality of the work being done by the people, projects and places which were nominated.

“So, congratulations to the 23 projects and people who made it onto the long-list but also to everyone who entered and is doing such valuable work.

“Each place was judged on specific criteria including its beneficial environmental impact, level of ongoing collective engagement by the community and evidence of behavioural change by people. It’s clear that all the projects which entered are not just delivering significant environmental dividends but also really important community benefits also.”