New Year Messages: Landmark year with opening of East Meath Civic Centre

Warmest wishes and a Happy New Year to everyone in Laytown/Bettystown Municipal District.

2025 was a landmark year, with the opening of the €10.1 million East Meath Civic Centre in Bettystown—a four-storey, state-of-the-art facility offering library services, sensory rooms, study hubs, and meeting spaces for community use. This exceptional building also includes a lifeguard station, beach management services, and a beach wheelchair service, ensuring accessibility for all. I am delighted to see the building has receive so many visitors since its’ opening in February. It is already becoming a hub for education, recreation, and civic life.

Our coastline also shone brightly in 2025 as Bettystown Beach proudly retained its prestigious Blue Flag Award, while both Bettystown and Mornington Beaches received Green Coast Awards, placing them among the best beaches in Ireland. These awards celebrate outstanding water quality, environmental management, and natural beauty, and they reflect the dedication of local volunteers and Meath County Council teams who work tirelessly to protect and enhance our coastal environment.

Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue to prioritise coastal protection and Blue Flag beach maintenance, alongside targeted road safety measures and regeneration initiatives. Climate action and digital transformation will further enhance sustainability and services.

Together, we will strengthen East Meath as a thriving, inclusive community—one that celebrates its heritage, invests in its future, and welcomes all who live, work, and visit here.