Antique bottle found during beach clean up
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A medicine bottle found on Redbarn Strand thought to date back as far as 1880.Image 2 of 4
Pupils examine their find. Photo: Cathal Noonan Cathal NoonanImage 3 of 4
Pupils from Goleen National School, Schull National School, and St Matthias National School, Ballydehob, on clean up duty on Barley Cove beach as part of the Blue Flag Marine Education Days initiative. Photo: Cathal Noonan. Cathal NoonanImage 4 of 4
A glass bottle more than a century old has been discovered by a primary school pupil in Cork during a large-scale beach cleaning effort.
The small medicine bottle was discovered by a 6th class pupil of Midleton Educate Together on Redbarn Strand in Youghal.
According to the Museum of Healthcare at Kingston, Ontario, Canada, the bottle dates back to between 1880 and 1900.
The bottle is embossed with the words Elliman's Embrocation, a popular aid for aching muscles and joints first brought to market in the mid 1800s.
The antique was discovered as over 600 pupils from 14 Cork schools scoured sections of the coastline as part of a Blue Flag Marine Education initiative organised by Clean Coasts Ballynamona.
Events took place across 4 days on Redbarn and Front strand in Youghal, Garryvoe in Ballycotton, and Barleycove beach in West Cork.
The initiative focused on marine conservation and sustainability, educating pupils about the importance of water quality, understanding coastal biodiversity, the impact of sewage-related litter on the environment, and living sustainably to reduce carbon footprints. The children finished off each day’s activities with a beach clean.
Proinsias Ó Tuama, founder of Clean Coasts Ballynamona, said: “We are immensely proud to have played a significant role in educating the next generation about environmental conservation and sustainability. By instilling these values at a young age, we are sowing the seeds for a better, more sustainable future for generations to come.”
Supported by Cork County Council, The Blue Flag Marine Education Days initiative received support from various stakeholders, including staff and students at St Colman’s Community College in Midleton, and volunteers of Clean Coasts Ballynamona.
The children were also provided with soup by Cully & Sully, while garda Eddie Crocket from Midleton Garda Station interacted with the young attendees for the events in East Cork.