Donal Hickey: Vital to save sand dunes, for shore

Clean Coasts, and other groups and volunteers are carrying out marram grass planting in dunes to help prevent coastal erosion. One of the best examples can be found in the Maharees area of the Dingle Peninsula, where erosion is a serious issue.

Sand dunes which have been damaged by coastal erosion at Rossbeigh beach in Kerry. Picture Dan Linehan

The thrill of the first sight of the sea in summers of childhood is still evoked when we catch a glimpse of distant sand dunes against a background of silvery waves.

With school holidays here, many children are surely feeling similar excitement as families head to the beaches. In the past two years of stay-at-home holidays, our beaches were busier than ever, which put even more pressure on the eroding dunes.