Irish Beaches Hit Cleanest Levels in Eight Years, Survey Reveals

UPDATE: Irish beaches are officially at their cleanest in eight years, as confirmed by a new survey from Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL). This significant development reveals that 17 of 33 monitored beaches, harbours, and rivers have achieved a clean status, marking an impressive 50% improvement since the last assessment.

The survey, conducted by An Taisce, highlighted a dramatic decrease in littered areas, plummeting from 11 to 3. Despite the influx of visitors during the summer months, the results underscore an urgent positive trend in Ireland’s coastal cleanliness.

Among the areas recognized for their cleanliness are popular destinations like Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow, Curracloe in Co Wexford, and Strandhill in Co Sligo. However, not all sites fared well; Dingle Harbour, Dog’s Bay Beach, and White Bay Beach in Co Cork were classified as littered.

“This is by far the most favorable result we have seen in eight years of coastal surveys,” stated Conor Horgan from IBAL. He attributed this success to the relentless efforts of clean coasts groups and local councils investing in beach facilities. Legislative measures, including the tethering of caps to plastic bottles and the introduction of a deposit return scheme, have also played a vital role, leading to a 30% drop in litter volume.

The survey revealed a notable decrease in the prevalence of vapes, but coffee cups remain a significant issue, appearing in 42% of surveyed sites. Horgan asserted, “The coffee cup levy seems to have died with the last government, but these findings show that the case for it has not died.” He advocates for a coffee cup-free policy similar to the one implemented in Killarney, which became the first Irish town to ban single-use coffee cups in 2022.

Looking ahead, the annual Big Beach Clean Up organized by An Taisce is set to take place from September 19-21, 2025, expecting to mobilize over 15,000 volunteers across the nation. This initiative underscores the community’s dedication to maintaining the cleanliness of Ireland’s beautiful coastlines.

As the country celebrates this remarkable achievement, the ongoing commitment to preserving the environment is more crucial than ever. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story and join the movement to keep our beaches clean!