Latest IBAL report has Fingal beaches among cleanest in Ireland

There was excellent news for Fingal this week with the areas around Skerries and Portmarnock beaches awarded the highest ranking by the Irish Business’ Against Litter (IBAL) group, making them amongst the cleanest in Ireland.

Skerries Beach, according to the report, deserved a ‘special mention’ for being “exceptionally freshly presented and maintained”. The IBAL inspectors said there are “excellent facilities for waste disposal and clearly marked recycling bins/clothing donation units”. Inspectors also made particular reference to the Skerries Beach Toy Library- Borrow, Play Return, describing it as a “lovely feature”, and the “excellent signage throughout” the area including St. Patrick's Way and Art Trail; Skerries Islands; Active Travel 'Cycling without Age, Skerries'; 'Safari in Skerries' and 'Adopt a Beach'”.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O’ Leary, welcomed the report, 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.”

The very positive report on Portmarnock Beach noted that it had made a “dramatic improvement”. IBAL inspectors said that “based on the very minimal litter observed over a long stretch of beach / car park area / pathway, it would seem that the council are very attentive at Portmarnock”. The walking paths leading to the beach from the North Strand and South Strand side were one of the areas surveyed, with the report saying they were in “excellent condition”. The report also praised Portmarnock Beach for being “exceptionally well served by litter bins, none of which were full, all were in good condition, and clearly labelled”.

Director of Services for Operations at Fingal County Council, Mary T Daly 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”.

Fingal County Council’s new Litter Management Plan 2025-2028 sets out a number of objectives to tackle litter, including introducing CCTV at litter blackspots, and a seven-day Litter Warden service. The council has also launched a Reusable Cup Project, which aims to reduce coffee cup waste

To read the full IBAL report visit: Cleaner coasts: significant improvement in Ireland’s beaches and waterways | IBAL