For one day only it was possible to gaze along the length of Dollymount Stand on Bull Island in north Dublin without the view being impeded by a motor vehicle of some description.
The car-free day, organised jointly by Dublin City Council and Coastwatch, transformed the beach from a sandy motorway to a seaside oasis only minutes away from the city centre.
"It's going to be hard to convince people to change the habits of a lifetime," said the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Dermot Lacey, who is in favour of an outright ban on cars on the beach.
"But it would have to involve the co-operation of the public and of Dublin Bus, who we would be depending on to provide transport to the area. In my view that is what a public bus service should be doing."
Launching the one-off event on a fine summer's morning, the Lord Mayor reminisced about his days as a cub scout leader when he would bring the troops to the interpretive centre on the island. He had been told that the beach could hold up to 1,000 cars.
"I want you all to spread the word. Come on bicycle, come on a shanks mare if you like ... but let's keep the cars off the beach," he said as he toasted the project with orange juice.
A double-decker shuttle bus had been provided for the occasion but Ms Lisa Weir, from nearby Raheny, had cycled to the launch, as did her two children Pearl (8) and Hazel (5).
"I have to confess we usually come in the car to walk the dogs but we thought we would make the effort today," she said. "It's amazing to be able to see the whole beach for once without all those young fellas in cars roaring around".
In their bright yellow T-shirts, the Church of Scientology Litter Patrol milled around adding a splash of colour to the scene. "We have been coming here for two years every third Saturday," said Ms Siobhan Ryan, from Swords. "We are trying to establish a blue flag beach here. The job is getting easier each time and it is wonderful to see no cars here today."
The day involved an eco-walk of Bull Island dunes and Aldermarsh, and a wetland seminar organised by Coastwatch. There was also a treasure hunt and a life guard demonstration.
Speaking at the launch, Ms Karin Dubsky, of Coastwatch, spoke about the effects of the cars on the beach environment. She said a study had shown that there were far fewer fine shells in the area where cars are allowed than in the pedestrian area of the beach.
"And think if you were a lugworm or a sand hopper, you would be absolutely uncomfortable about having a couple of tonnes of car on top of you."
Nobody was arguing with that.