Sun brings business boost to coast

The brilliant sunshine of the last week has seen a huge business boost for the Laytown, Bettystown and Mornington areas as thousands of visitors flocked to the county's beaches to make the most of the fine summer weather. While business soared at hotels, bed and breakfasts and businesses throughout the area over the weekend, the local community is expecting an even bigger bonus this coming weekend when huge numbers are expected to attend the National Sand Sculpting and Sandcastle Competition at Bettystown beach on Sunday. Despite bad weather last year, there were still over 1,000 entries in the popular competition and, with fine weather forecast for the coming weekend, the organisers are expecting a much bigger crowd. Business in Meath's coastal towns saw a major increase over the past week or two from both day-trippers and holidaymakers staying in the area. A spokesperson for the Bettystown Court Hotel said there had been a huge increase in room sales over the weekend and also last-minute midweek bookings. Bed and breakfasts, cafés and resturants also reported a brisk increase in business and everyone is hoping the fine weather, and the economic boost it brings to the area, will continue. Local businessman Tom Kelly said the area had been extraordinarily busy over the past week or two. "You couldn't get better. It was packed on Sunday and we are expecting to be even busier next weekend with the sandcatle competition on Sunday," he said. "The good weather is really the only thing that brings business to the area and it has been a huge boost. Businesses of all kinds are delighted. The weather brings the numbers in and everyone benefits." Mr Kelly said visitors were coming from all over north Leinster but there were also a lot of visitors from Dublin, many coming to join friends and relatives who have moved into the area. "We really hope this lasts all summer. This has been our first good year after three bad ones," he said. There were few incidents on the beaches over the last few days although a number of vehicles were caught by the incoming tide and a number got stuck in soft sand. Meanwhile, the National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpturing Competitions will take place on Bettystown beach on Sunday. Everyone, young, old, experienced and novice sandcastle builders and sculptors, are invited to try their hand at creating their very own masterpiece in sand. Entrants in the competition can begin sculpting at about 10am and can work until judging takes place at 15.30pm. The entry fee is €5 per person, with a maximum of four per team and the first prize is €500. The sand castle competition has categories for under-five years, under-eight years, under-13, 13 and over and family entries. A celebration cup will be presented to the overall winners. The entry fee is €2 per person and entries must be registered by 2pm for judging at 3.30pm. The results of both events will be announced at 4pm. According to Martina Maguire of the organisers, Meath East Sand Sculptures, the competition, which is in its eighth year, always attracts a huge number of entries and last year competitors came from as far away as the Czech Republic. Martina can be contacted for further details at (087) 929 1498.