Brittas Bay is one of the finest beaches on the East Coast, which together with the Sand Dune System North & South of Mizen Head, forms an interesting area to explore, and is a Designated Area of Scientific Interest (A.S.I.).
The landscape is dominated by the dunes, which cover approximately 100 hectares. These have been built up over a number of years and are still evolving. Some parts suffer wind erosion, and others, especially where vegetation has been established, are fairly stable, and in places new dunes are being formed. Behind these dunes is an area of fixed dunes, and beyond this a marsh to the northern end.
On the most recent dunes, nearest the sea, the dominant plant is Marram Grass. This grows vigorously in mobile sand and binds the dunes with its underground stems and roots, which are up to 5 metres long. New dunes are forming in this way at the southern end of Brittas Bay.
The remainder of the dunes are relatively stable and many other plants have been able to establish. Common wild flowers like Birds Foot Trefosil and Seaside Pansy carpet the area in a blaze of colour. They have the ability to fix nitrogen into the sand so can grow in very poor soils. Here the Marram Grass is less dominant because it is in competition with many other plants.
The sand dunes of Brittas Bay and Buckroney (south of Mizen Head) together with nearby Buckroney Marsh contain a number of nationally rare plants. These include Wild Asparagus, Green-flowered Helleborine and Meadow Saxifrage which are protected under the Wildlife Act, 1976. The dunes and marsh have been designated an Area of Scientific Interest of National Importance. Protection of such areas is an objective of the County Development Plan.
Probably the animal most evident in the area is the Rabbit, which has no trouble burrowing in the sandy soil. There are also Foxes and Hares - the Irish Hare, a subspecies of the Arctic Hare, which is indigenous to Ireland.
The common seabirds such as Herring Gull, Great Black-Backed Gull, Blackheaded Gull and Cormorants are abundant along the shore. In summer, various species of Tem can be seen diving for Sand-eel in the in-shore waters, and if you are lucky you may spot a Gannet. The Ringed Plover breeds on the sandy beaches in this area camouflaging its eggs among the pebbles. Small birds on land include the Skylark, Meadow Pippet, Linnet and Wren. Pied Wagtails can be seen on the beach, chasing flies and sandhoppers. Occasionally Kestrels are seen hovering over the dunes and marsh area scanning the ground for insects or small rodents.
On a sunny day, many common Irish Butterflies can be seen, including the Small Copper, Common Blue, Small Heath, Red Admiral, Orange Tip and, occasionally a summer visitor, the Painted Lady. The presence of Butterflies indicates that the region is relatively rich in wild food plants for these insects. Other species include Ladybirds and other Beetles, Bees, Wasps and Hoverflies.
For a number of years now Brittas Bay has been awarded the Blue Flag for Beaches Award. This is the international emblem for the highest quality beach areas in Europe. Brittas Bay has also been the recipient of Silver Starfish Awards on account of its outstanding water quality. Wicklow County Council has a Beach Management Strategy for Brittas Bay and has provided Car Parks, Public Toilets and Board Walks, and has attempted dune preservation work.
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