Calls for more rock armour along Kerry blue flag beach

By Alastair Tibbs, The Kerryman

A Kerry councillor has called for the extension of a walkway along one of the county’s outstanding blue flag beaches.

Councillor Michael Leane said lengthening of the pathway with rock armour along Ballyheigue Beach would ‘help everyone’.

At a recent Listowel Municipal District meeting he called on Kerry County Council to write to three ministers, including the Minister of State for the Office of Public Works, Kevin Boxer Moran, for funding for the project.

He proposed the extension of the existing walkway and promenade further down the beach, with a view to eventually connecting Ballyheigue with Banna.

Cllr Leane highlighted the erosion of the sand dunes, which he said had reduced by 15 to 20 feet in recent years.

Existing rock armour at Ballyheigue Beach

He had previously taken Minister Boxer Moran to the site to view the proposal.

“The tides are getting higher and higher and the damage is getting worse every year,” he said.

“If we got the rock armour down at this part and then go further, eventually we’d have a fine walkway from Ballyheigue to Banna.”

He pointed to the millions spent on greenways across the country and said this project would be better value, claiming it would be roughly €250,000 per km.

“It’d be cheaper, it’d be better and we’d be saving the sand dunes and keeping people on fresh, lovely sea air,” he said.

“It’d be a simple amenity and it’d help everyone in the right way.”

Councillor Jimmy Moloney seconded the motion.