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Ireland’s Beaches Shine as 17 Achieve Clean Status in 2023

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Recent assessments indicate that Irish beaches are experiencing their highest cleanliness levels in eight years, largely credited to the implementation of the Deposit Return Scheme. An Taisce monitored a total of 33 beaches, harbours, and rivers during June and July 2023, resulting in 17 locations being classified as ‘clean.’

Among these standout beaches, Curracloe Beach in County Wexford and Bundoran Beach in County Donegal have emerged as popular destinations. Notably, Portmarnock Beach in Dublin has shown a significant improvement from a previously ‘littered’ rating to achieving clean status. This marks a substantial 50 percent increase compared to the last survey conducted by An Taisce, with the number of areas identified as ‘littered’ dropping from 11 to just three. Importantly, no sites were categorized as ‘heavily littered.’

Significant Improvements Across the Country

The survey revealed a promising trend in cleanliness. Beaches such as Brittas Bay, Killiney, Strandhill, and Tramore were among those that successfully secured clean status. Additionally, areas like Blackrock Castle and Castletownbere in County Cork also demonstrated notable improvements. Conversely, Dingle and Dog’s Bay Beach in Galway, along with White Bay in Cork, have unfortunately slipped to ‘littered’ status.

The findings indicate a 30 percent decrease in the presence of plastic bottles and cans, marking the first coastal survey since the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme. Notably, cigarette butts, sweet wrappers, and fast food packaging were the most frequently found litter items. Although vapes were less common than in previous surveys, coffee cup litter remained prevalent, appearing in 42 percent of the sites evaluated.

According to Conor Horgan, spokesperson for Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL), the results are encouraging. He stated, “We have been monitoring our beaches and waters for the last eight years. Just a few years ago, there were very few areas deemed clean—only a handful. Now, over half are clean; this change has occurred in just the last few years.”

Community Efforts and Government Initiatives

Horgan highlighted the importance of community involvement, crediting volunteers and local organizations for their contributions in maintaining beach cleanliness. He remarked, “There’s a real appetite for this work, and those groups are expanding. We are seeing the fruits of this in the results today.”

He also pointed to governmental and European Union anti-littering initiatives as key factors in the notable improvements. The introduction of measures such as tethered caps for plastic bottles has significantly reduced littering. Horgan explained, “With the Deposit Return Scheme, we’re seeing a significant fall in the amount of plastic bottles and cans on our beaches. So, it’s a combination of factors.”

Looking ahead, the upcoming Big Beach Clean-Up, organized by An Taisce’s Clean Coasts, is set to take place from September 19 to 21, 2023. The initiative is expected to draw over 600 groups and 15,000 volunteers nationwide, further emphasizing the community’s commitment to preserving Ireland’s coastal environments.

As the summer of 2023 concludes, the positive trends observed in beach cleanliness reflect a collective effort between local communities, government initiatives, and individual responsibility. The ongoing commitment to maintaining these cherished natural resources will be crucial in sustaining the progress made thus far.

Our Editorial team doesn’t just report the news—we live it. Backed by years of frontline experience, we hunt down the facts, verify them to the letter, and deliver the stories that shape our world. Fueled by integrity and a keen eye for nuance, we tackle politics, culture, and technology with incisive analysis. When the headlines change by the minute, you can count on us to cut through the noise and serve you clarity on a silver platter.

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