Two popular Mayo beaches discover 'clean' status ranking
Keem Bay at Achill Island, in Co. Mayo, Ireland.
The annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) shows the majority of beaches attaining ‘clean’ status, among them Old Head and Keem in Mayo.
33 beaches, harbours, rivers and their immediate environs were monitored by An Taisce on behalf of IBAL in June and July.
17 were deemed ‘clean’, a 50% rise on the previous survey, while the number of areas branded ’littered’ fell from 11 to just 3. Again, no area was placed in the lowest category, “heavily littered”.
The An Taisce report for Keem stated:
“Keem, a beach that has frequently featured as one of the top beaches of the world, (Lonely Planet includes Keem in its list of the world's top 100 beaches), and its popularity has no doubt been boosted by being featured in the Banshees of Inisherin. - it was, fittingly, very much deserving of the top litter grade. The installation of a 'Sauna' may well have encouraged more visitors. Picnic Tables / Litter bins / green 'mixed' recycle' bin and signage were freshly presented. There were minimal food related items, occasional incidents of dog fouling and some long-lie fishing related materials e.g. fishing line / nets / ropes and a wooden pallet. The overall impression at Keem was excellent with regard to litter.”
The An Taisce report for Old Head stated:
“Old Head was very much deserving of the top litter grade and there were some great initiatives in place. A community clean-up was taking place, the 'Old Head Toy Library - Borrow & Return - Keep our Beaches Clean' - is a lovely feature, which appears to be well managed. Clean Coasts signage reminds the public that 'Cigarette Butts are deadly to Marine Life - Keep your butts off our Beach,' with an accompanying QR code, creates awareness of the butt problem. The SUP / Kayak wooden building was attractively adorned with an abundance of colourful planting, all in wooden planter boxes. The overall impression created at Old Head was of a well maintained environment, with good local input.”
