Reclaimed Ballyhornan dunes defy storm

Reclaimed Ballyhornan dunes defy storm

15 November 2017

A SIGNIFICANT section of sand dunes at Ballyhornan beach, which has been regenerated and protected by local people, survived the ravages of recent hurricane Ophelia and storm Brian.

But a 500 metre section of dunes which Newry, Mourne and Down Council is responsible for and which has not been protected from the elements, bore the brunt of gale force winds and abnormally high tides.

The Ballyhornan Development Association has been working hard on a community project to improve and protect a section of the dunes. With the support of councillor Cadogan Enright, the group has embarked upon a project repairing damage and extending the area protected by marram, lyme and other grasses.

Association chairman, Gerry Young, said the recent storms barrelled along the Irish Sea and hit the Ballyhornan dunes head on.

“Our sand-traps and plants had managed to raise the beach the few feet needed to protect not only the dunes and picnic area, but also protect a section of the cliffs from further collapse and probably helped save the coastal road to Killard,” he added.

Committee member and local farmer Pat Magee, said the 480 metres of dunes which local people have worked to protect “came out unscathed” after they were battered by the recent storms. He said the 500 metres of 

council sand dunes ended up “entirely lost,” even though they were more sheltered. 

He continued: “We had sought funding to protect that side of the dunes as well, but were refused and we only got funding for the areas most in danger.”

Councillor Enright confirmed he has taken before and after photos of the restoration work for the benefit of council officials and hopes they will see the error of their ways and help restore the entire sections of dunes.

He continued: “We are growing thousands of new plants with a local charity called True Harvest and hope to replant the lost area, if the local council will provide funding for protective chestnut paling fences.

“Simple natural and entirely standard dune protection systems have been implemented by local people on a voluntary basis with some grant funding by government agencies for materials. These have proved overwhelmingly successful in the face of the most damaging storms since 1962.”

Councillor Enright added: “This is a lesson for Council and other official agencies along the Co Down coast. Doing nothing is no longer an option in an age of climate change and rising sea levels.”