Fireworks display is bad for local birds say Sandymount residents

A massive fireworks extravaganza planned for Sandymount Strand on April 30th to mark the EU accession of 10 countries will have an adverse impact on the strand's designation as a Special Protection Area (SPA) for birds, claim local residents.

The organisers of the event - the St Patrick's Day Festival Committee under the remit of the Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism - has applied to Dublin City Council for a licence to hold the event which is expected to attract between 57,000 and 100,000 people. The deadline for submissions in relation to the licence application is February 13th.

The strand is a shallow, tidal mudflat and host to thousands of birds, particularly over the winter months when it and the adjoining Irishtown Nature Park is visited by Grey Plover, Golden Plover and large numbers of Shelduck and Brent.

The plan is to set up a fireworks firing platform on a barge 400 meters from the shore. There will also be low level fireworks at 25 points along the edge of Irishtown Nature Park. On the events licence application, the primary viewing area is listed as Strand Road between Marine Drive and St Alban's Park.

Secondary viewing areas are at Beach Road between Leahy's Terrace and Marine Drive, Sean Moore Park, and Strand Road from St Alban's Park towards Merrion Gates.

According to Lorna Kelly of Sandymount and Merrion Residents Association, the timing "could not be worse as the birds will be nesting around this time". Locals also have concerns about traffic congestion in the area and inadequate toilet provision. "This is a wholly residential area, with a lack of facilities for this kind of event," says Ms Kelly.

The organisers argue that the strand is suitable from a technical point of view because it allows the display to be seen from as far away as Dún Laoghaire and Howth.

A spokesperson from the Department of the Arts, Sports and Tourism said an environmental impact statement has been commissioned by the Department of the Environment and is being carried out by independent consultants.

"The whole process is being carried out in tandem with various agencies, including the Dublin Transport Authority and the gardaí. The aim is to develop the event so it is sensitive to local infrastructure. Sandymount was chosen partly because it has three DART stations in close proximity and is a great location for such an event. We want to create a wonderful spectacle in a wonderful area.

"It will be a family event and the road will be closed for three hours maximum. The St Patrick's Day Committee is working with the community and are leafleting local people to keep them informed."