A Dune Action workshop held at Brittas Bay on Saturday, 3rd October marked the latest step in Wicklow County Council’s ongoing work to protect the important dune habitats at Brittas Bay and encourage community involvement in their long term stewardship.
Brittas Bay is one of County Wicklow’s most important natural heritage sites, as well as a Blue Flag beach attracting thousands of visitors each year. Its dune system forms part of the Buckroney–Brittas Dunes and Fen Special Area of Conservation, making careful management of the site essential to protect its biodiversity while allowing people to continue to enjoy the beach.
The Dune Action workshop, held at Scoil Mhuire Réalt na Mara, was delivered by ACT as part of the Beaches & Dunes Climate Adaptation Programme. The programme supports coastal communities in understanding, monitoring and protecting their local dune systems.
Sarah McCullough, Senior Executive Officer with Wicklow County Council, said: “Brittas Bay is a hugely important place for Wicklow, both as a natural heritage site and as a Blue Flag beach enjoyed by thousands of people every year. Protecting it for the future requires long-term commitment and collaboration between Wicklow County Council, our partners and the local community.
“The Dune Action programme builds on work already underway at Brittas Bay and provides another opportunity to strengthen local involvement in caring for this very special part of Wicklow’s coastline.”
Wicklow County Council has been working for several years to increase awareness and engagement around the natural heritage of Brittas Bay through its annual Behind the Beach programme, which includes a series of public events and activities exploring the wildlife, habitats and natural processes that make the area special.
This initiative was further enhanced in summer 2026 with the launch of the Dune Ambassador Programme, providing an on the ground presence during the busy summer period to engage directly with beach users about the importance and sensitivity of the dunes and encourage responsible use of the site.
Dr. Hannah O’Kelly, Biodiversity Officer with Wicklow County Council, said: “Brittas Bay is much more than a beautiful beach. Behind it is an extraordinary dune system supporting a wealth of biodiversity, but it is also a dynamic and sensitive habitat. People love going to the beach, but we want to build a strong community of people who understand the dunes, value them and want to play a part in looking after them.”
The activities continue on Saturday, 10th October with a Discover Your Dunes event at Brittas Bay, delivered by Clean Coasts as part of the Dune Action programme. The outdoor session will explore how the dune system works and provide participants the opportunity to take part in citizen science activities to map the dunes and learn about practical approaches to dune protection and restoration.
Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen local stewardship of Brittas Bay by combining practical habitat management, public understanding, and community involvement to protect one of Wicklow’s most valuable natural heritage sites for the future.