A beach that washed away over thirty years ago during large storms has reappeared due to a freak tide.
The beach close to the Irish village of Dooagh on Achill Island vanished in 1984 after huge waves swept away all the sand, leaving just rock pools behind. Good for catching crabs, not so great for sunbathing.
The rock pools left behind caused trade to plummet with almost all the village’s hotels, guesthouses and cafes shutting down. One freak tide ruined a local economy, but that has all changed now.
However, after a freak tide, hundreds of thousands of tons of sand have been dumped over the span of ten days recreating the 300 metre long beach, and it is hoped the visitor numbers will increase now.
Sean Molloy, manager at Achill Tourism, said: ‘Before it disappeared, the beach had been there for as long as living memory, almost continuously, until 1984-85.
‘During that time there was some big storms that really destroyed the beach and it was completely washed away and 1984 was the last time the beach was there.
‘Then in April when we had that cold snap over Easter, the wind was coming in from the north.
‘It was very constant and steady and it must have transported eroded material in from elsewhere.’
He said the bulk of the sand was deposited in just over a week, leaving locals delighted.
‘It’s so nice for the villagers to have their beach back,’ he said.
‘It is an incredible example of the force and power of nature and how the coast can change in a matter of days.’
Alan Gielty, 48, who runs Gielty’s Bar and Restaurant said the beach has brought with it an influx of tourists.
He said: ‘We have a beautiful little village as it is, but it is great to look out and see this beautiful beach, instead of just rocks.
‘Since people have seen the news of the beach on the news we have had plenty more visitors from the middle of the country.’
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