On 11 December 2025, Nua Mara lit the first sustainable marine Christmas tree in Cill Chiaráin, Connemara. This project converted reused aquaculture and marine materials into a festive landmark.
A circular economy project
The tree was constructed entirely from reused materials, including nets, buoys, and ropes sourced from local organisations. The Galway Hooker Association also provided sailing equipment to complete the structure. To ensure the project was zero-waste, solar panels provided the power for the lights.
Funding the community
On 13 February 2026, the project celebrated its final fundraising total. Tomás Ó Siocháin, CEO of Údarás na Gaeltachta, presented two cheques to the community:
- €15,482 for the Community Hall, which includes a grant from the Community Enterprise Scheme.
- €2,000 for the Playground Fund, raised through a raffle.
National interest and educational impact
The initiative received significant media attention from TG4, Cúla 4, Molscéal, and the Connacht Tribune. Because of this visibility, schools from across the island of Ireland have contacted the project team to learn how to host their own ocean-themed events.
We congratulate Nua na Mara and the community of Cill Chiaráin on this achievement. This project is an excellent example of how we can rethink our relationship with the ocean to support both the environment and our local communities.
