Kerry coastal community stands proudly over precious dune system rescued from brink of obliteration
It's an inspiring exemplar of what can be done in the face of human activity, coastal erosion and climate change in general.
The Maharees community-led collaboration which has paid sand dune dividends, has been supported by a host of state agencies, the local authority Kerry County Council, universities and NGOs.
An aerial shot of the area known as Magherabeg Cut (right) has shown dramatic recovery of the dune which had been seriously degraded from unmanaged access from beach users and demonstrates how simple actions like not walking on sand dunes can make them more resilient to storm damage.
Mayor of Kerry, Cllr Breandán Fitzgerald said: 'Kerry County Council collaborates with communities like Maharees to advance environmental conservation through initiatives such as dune restoration and sustainable tourism strategies. Supported by MD members, the Maharees Conservation Association successfully preserved and nurtured the sand dunes in Magherabeg, Maharees.
Chair of Maharees Conservation Association CLG, Aidan O'Connor said: 'We are so proud of the dune recovery here that we wanted to thank all of our partners who worked with us to achieve it over the last nine years. Without support from Kerry County Council, NPWS, University of Galway, Munster Technological University, Clean Coasts and the Dingle Hub we would probably be a news story for all the wrong reasons as our main road would undoubtedly be at risk without these sand dunes.'
William Hunt, District Conservation Officer, NPWS said: 'The Maharees Dune Restoration Project serves as a positive example of the significant benefits that can be achieved for both nature and local communities when operating within the regulations of Natura 2000 sites.
'Led by the Maharees Conservation Association, with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service, community efforts have successfully increased the coverage of marram grass on previously bare patches of sand. This has resulted in enhanced dune stabilisation and improved biodiversity levels.
'This initiative is a win not only for nature and the delicate ecosystems supported by these dunes but also for the local communities in Tralee Bay, who depend on the dunes for protection against storm events.'
Killian Kelly, Wildlife Biology lecturer at MTU said:
'MTU is delighted to be a long-term collaborator with Maharees Conservation Association, working alongside NPWS, Kerry County Council and the community of the Maharees and West Kerry.
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'Public events, student research projects, and hands on habitat management, provide excellent opportunities teaching and learning for our Wildlife Biology programme, while at the same time contributing to and engaging with communities around the county.'
Deirdre de Bhailís, General Manager, Dingle Hub said: 'At Dingle Hub, we're immensely proud to partner with the Maharees Conservation Association through our 'Neart na Machairí project.
'The vital work being done to regenerate these dune systems represents not just environmental protection but community resilience in action. Their success demonstrates how local knowledge, passion and collaboration can create meaningful solutions to the pressing challenges of coastal erosion and climate change.'
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