Dune defenders wanted for the protection of Mornington coastline

A NEW Mornington Tidy Towns Group that has been formed to “enhance” the beach and protect the dunes is looking for volunteers.

The group first came together in September of last year where they undertook a number of community clean ups but after their first official meeting took place last week with more than 30 people in attendance pledging to volunteer, they are more determined than ever to make a difference in the area, that's according to chairperson, Declan Collins.

“Six of us initially formed the group last September and we would all have been individually involved in environmental issues over the last 20 years,” said Declan.

“There are Tidy Towns groups beside us in different areas and we just decided that Mornington should have one of its own,” he added.

“We have two aims. One is to protect and enhance the dunes and the beach and the other one is prepare to enter Mornington in the Tidy Towns Competition for 2025.

“We set up a Mornington Clean Coasts group last year and we secured a Green Flag again this year so we are really happy with that and want to build on that.'

The community activist says the group fully support the Mornington Dunes Restoration Plan proposed by Meath Co Co and the National Parks and Wildlife Service to restore and protect the dunes.

“It is a very good project and we would hope funding will be allocated for it,” said Declan.

“We see the dunes as a great asset,” he added.

With recent reports of fires, rubbish and anti-social behaviour at Mornington Beach, it is more important than ever to ensure this does not continue according to the Mornington TT chairperson who said:

“You see these things happening in the summertime. We have on occasion approached people telling them they can’t light fires, some people will take that on board and stop and others can go the other way and threaten you.

“As per the Foreshore Byelaws brought in by Meath Co Co a couple of years ago, it states no caravanning, no camping and no fires so it’s quite clear that there are Foreshore laws that have to complied with but there would be a gap in these rule being implemented.

“Meath Co Council has now said that their beach ranger will now include Mornington in their patrol area so that will be a big help so we need proper enforcement.”

Greater signage is needed in the area to inform people that the dunes are out of bounds says Declan.

“If they deteriorate to a certain point, it’s very hard to recover them,” he added.

“We need to keep rattling the cage about what’s happening here and get Meath Co Council to recognise how important the dunes are and how important the restoration and enhancement plan is.”

Last week the council wrote to sports clubs in the area requesting them not to use the dunes for training as locals had reported an increase in this activity despite past calls for them not to use this area of the beach.

“There is no problem with sporting organisations training on the beach but they have been going up and down the dunes as well,” said Declan.

“Meath Co Council reacted to that very quickly and have written to all sporting organisation in the area and asked them to desist from going into the dunes,” he added.

The Mornington resident says he hopes other locals will join the new Tidy Towns Group to ensure the future of the beach and the dunes.

“Last year we made an application for a community grant and we were award €600 from Meath Co Council. A small group of us did some clean ups just to keep it going but we had over 30 people at the meeting and another six who are interested but couldn’t attend.

We hope that when we really get going and start to enhance the area that other people will come on board and join us.”