Fingal beaches shine in Ireland’s cleanest list

Skerries and Portmarnock have been hailed as two of Ireland’s cleanest beaches, after inspectors gave them the highest possible ranking in a national survey.

Skerries Beach was given a special mention for being “exceptionally freshly presented and maintained”, with Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) praising its waste disposal facilities, recycling bins and clothing donation units.

Inspectors also singled out the Skerries Beach Toy Library, Borrow, Play, Return, as a “lovely feature”, and highlighted the “excellent signage” promoting local initiatives including St Patrick’s Way and Art Trail, Skerries Islands, Cycling without Age, Safari in Skerries and Adopt a Beach.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’Leary, welcomed the findings, saying: “I am delighted to see the incredibly positive results for Portmarnock and Skerries in the latest IBAL report.

“To see Skerries being singled out for a special mention amongst the 33 other beaches surveyed nationally is a testament to the work of the Council staff and community groups who work tirelessly to keep all our beaches clean.

“Well done also to Portmarnock for achieving a really significant improvement since the last report. I would encourage everyone to get out and visit these wonderful beaches.”

Portmarnock Beach, known as the Velvet Strand, was praised for a “dramatic improvement” since the last inspection. Inspectors noted “the very minimal litter observed over a long stretch of beach, car park area and pathway”, and said the results showed the council was “very attentive at Portmarnock”.

“Walking paths from both the North Strand and South Strand were found to be in “excellent condition.

“The report also noted the beach was “exceptionally well served by litter bins, none of which were full, all were in good condition, and clearly labelled”.

Mary T Daly, Director of Services for Operations at Fingal County Council, said: “I want to congratulate and thank our fantastic Operations team as well as the Tidy Towns and Community groups who have been rightfully recognised for the amazing work they do.

“They are the ones on the ground keeping the beaches clean and tidy and have been instrumental in achieving these results from IBAL.

“I would appeal to those visiting our beaches to bring litter home or use the bins provided to ensure that we keep our beaches litter free for all to enjoy.”

The results come as Fingal County Council launches its new Litter Management Plan 2025–2028, which sets out measures including CCTV at litter blackspots, a seven-day Litter Warden service and a Reusable Cup Project aimed at cutting down coffee cup waste.