7. Events

7.1 Existing Events

Activities on the beach include sand sculpting and kitesurfing. Laytown / Bettystown has hosted the National Sand Sculpting and Sandcastle Competition in recent years. Laytown Strand Race is a horse racing event which takes place annually on Laytown Strand.

There are a number of existing large events held on the beach each year. Large events currently held during the year include:

• Sand yachting – held February / March
• Cricket Ireland Competition - held midsummer
• Sand Castle Competition – held July
• Laytown Races – During this event parking is allowed on local fields and stewards are organised. Beach is closed to vehicle traffic on the day of the races.
• European Land Sailing Championship – September 2017.

Please refer to Recommendation 26 in Appendix A for proposed events to increase beach tourism and activities.

7.2 Events – Application Procedure for Holding Events³

Requests to hold various activities primarily at Bettystown Beach are processed by the Council and only granted once certain criteria are met. A beach event application form is required. There is a Schedule of Conditions to be met when such an event is organised;

• Notification of the event to the council at least 2 weeks before the proposed event date(s)
• Confirmation that the event is beach
• Assurance that the event will not cause a nuisance or pose a danger to other beach
• Submission of a map showing the beach area affected by the
• Submission of an adequate safety plan and evidence of consultation with the emergency services i.e. Ambulance Service, Gardai
• Submission of a traffic management plan to facilitate access to and egress from the event site
• Assurance that any litter / rubbish generated by the event is properly disposed of and the beach is left in a clean
• Indication of expected
• Co-operation on the event day(s) with the Area Engineer / Area Administrator or other Authorised Person and comply with any instructions
• Payment of fee as per application
• Payment of a contribution (if applicable) towards the cost of the works carried out by the Council to facilitate the

7.3 Events Risk Assessments

All events on the beach requiring permission from Meath County Council will also require a risk assessment covering health and safety, environmental and welfare issues. Interested parties are advised to visit BeSmart.ie which is a free online tool that lets users generate their own risk assessments and, if required, safety statement. It provides guidance through the entire risk assessment process using simple language and easy-to-follow instructions. On completion, users will have a specific risk assessment and / or safety statement that can be printed, downloaded and implements. A link to the HSA Be Smart tool is here: https://www.besmart.ie/

Risk assessment must be submitted and approved by MCC in advance of event.

7.4 Formation of Clubs

Clubs and associations will be encouraged by both the Beach Management Committee and Meath County Council.

7.5 Commerce – Casual Trading Licence

There are six casual trading pitches licensed each year for Bettystown/ Laytown Beach covering the area from the disused public toilet at Laytown to the Lady’s Finger at Mornington and covering the period 1st May to the 30th September. Licences are not transferrable from one year to the next and must be applied for each year following a public notice seeking expressions of interest.

There are a number of MCC officials who are appointed Authorised Officers under Section 10 of the Casual Trading Act 1995 and article 13 of the Casual Trading Bye Laws 1997 for the Laytown/Bettystown Municiple District.

7.6 Fishing

Fishing licences are required as per existing Irish State legislation, with no other permits required.

The Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) is a Department of the Marine Initiative designed to breathe life back into Towns / Villages affected by economic downturn. There are six FLAG area in the Country and including one for the coastal counties of Meath, Louth and North Dublin and for each such area an integrated local development strategy has to be prepared. 

Footnote: 

3 MCC finalised Event Management Guidelines in 2016.