Moves escalated to safeguard 'fragile' Mayo beach for future generations
A dedicated team of volunteers, led by Dr. Kevin Lynch, geomorphologist and senior lecturer at the National University of Ireland, Galway, and Dr. Karin Dubsky of Coastwatch Europe, have undertaken an important conservation initiative to protect and rejuvenate the fragile sand dunes on Keel Beach in Achill.
The team, brought together by the Keel Machair Protection Campaign group, identified a designated access point to the beach along the newly created pathway.
A statement by the group outlined: "This effort aims to direct foot traffic away from vulnerable dune areas, reducing the heavy footfall that has caused severe erosion in multiple spots.
"Over recent years, the dunes at Keel have suffered significant damage primarily due to trampling, with large sections of Machair and marram grass (which are both critical to dune stability) being crushed by foot, camping or burned by camp fires.
"The loss of this vegetation has exposed the sand to wind erosion, because the vegetation which binds the sand, causing the dunes to deteriorate further.
"Machair and marram grass play a vital role in binding the sand and maintaining the dune structure.
"Their decline seriously threatens the integrity of the dunes, which act as a natural barrier protecting the village of Keel from the encroaching sea.
"With global sea levels rising, Achill faces an anticipated increase of at least one meter over the coming years.
"If current damaging activities such as uncontrolled foot traffic, wild camping in campervans and vehicles, and habitat destruction) are allowed to continue and local authorities do nothing to stop it, this destruction along with storms will result in the dunes loosing at least one meter in height.
"So to put it lightly, this reduction would eliminate the natural defense against rising tides, putting Keel village at immediate and serious risk of coastal flooding and damage.
"Some areas are already showing signs of urgent danger, highlighting the need for immediate action.
"Protecting the Machair and restoring the dunes is not just an environmental priority but a critical step in safeguarding the community’s future."