Beach sculptors in Duncannon not burying their heads in the sand

Brendan Power brought back the art form after seeing a display in Cervia, Italy, and being told that the Co Wexford beach would be ideal, writes Carol Duffy

Children and adults of all ages took to the strand at Duncannon, Co Wexford, yesterday to display their talents and flair for sand-sculpting. Duncannon has hosted annual sand-sculpting competitions and exhibitions since 1999 that have proven a hit with holidaymakers, locals and day-trippers to the seaside village.

Organiser Brendan Power first brought the international art form to Duncannon after seeing a display in Cervia, Italy, and being told by a friend that the Co Wexford beach would be an ideal venue for sand-sculpting.

Up to 50 groups of enthusiastic amateurs were each given a 20 x 15 ft patch of beach on which to make their sculptures yesterday. Friends Chris O'Malley and Aideen Hayden from Dún Laoghaire and Jim Collins and Marguerite Aherne from New Ross, Co Wexford, made a frog on a lily pad, replicating a ceramic figurine in Jim and Marguerite's garden.

The couples also competed in last year's event but were more optimistic yesterday, having learned the secret of past competition. Aideen explained they intended using sugar to hold the sculpture together. "We sculpted dolphins in the sand last year but the judges didn't seem too impressed. Experts used the sugar mix to hold their sculptures together last year so we've decided to do the same."

While the four-strong team were anxious to give a good account of themselves, their main focus was on having a good day out at the seaside. "It's a great chance for grown-ups to behave like kids," Marguerite noted. Taking a more earnest approach were Kilkenny-based duo Maria Casey and Martin Kaltenberger whose creation sought to highlight the plight of seaside communities whose towns and villages are overdeveloped as a result of tax incentives for holiday homes - an issue firmly on the local agenda in Co Wexford.

"I'm originally from Enniscrone, Co Sligo," explained Maria, "where tax incentives have led to an increase in the construction of housing without the proper infrastructure to match. This has been happening throughout Ireland and our sand sculpture is to highlight how overcrowded the coastline has become. I've even made special 'For Sale' signs!" For the junior teams, there was a chance to pit their skills against other youngsters with cash prizes on offer for the winning sand architects and builders. Local sisters Mary and Bridget Sinnott, aged 13 and 12 respectively, had roped in their cousins John and Martin Egan to help them build a sand lighthouse.

"Bridget and I were here two years ago but I don't think we were old enough. This time we're building the lighthouse really high and decorating it with stones as well as making a moat. We hope to do better," Mary explained.

Elsewhere on the beach, a specially-erected marquee was accommodating nine semi-professional sand-sculptors whose creations depicted various artists at work from the Stone Age to the Renaissance. Daniel Doyle, Fergus Mulvaney and Niall McGee made up the Irish team Duthain Dealbh (fleeting sculpture) and have sculpted in sand across Europe and Asia. Mulvaney, who is originally from Co Meath, said he has been sculpting full-time for 10 years and works in sand, ice and snow.

"Sand-sculpting gives artists a chance to show a wide public how art is created. Most people only know art in terms of what they see in austere galleries. Sand-sculpting gives the public access to the process and allows them to see how art develops from scratch."

A tired but happy Brendan Power said the day now means a great deal to the community in Duncannon as well as to regular competitors. He called for sand-sculpting to be recognised by the newly-appointed Arts Council as a legitimate art form that should be entitled to State funding.

"This is an art that kids from four to 94 can participate in and enjoy. It is both environmentally-sustainable and economically sound as the materials are all around us and ultimately remain on the beach when the tide turns."