The future of one of Ireland's most popular surfing beaches is in doubt after its inclusion in a parcel of development land which is now for sale.
The picturesque beach, Magheramore Strand in Co Wicklow, has been the subject of a long-running saga over access, as various owners attempted unsuccessfully to develop the site.
Now, local politicians and surfers are urging Wicklow County Council to intervene and buy the site because of fears that a new owner might try to block public access to the beach.
However, the council says it has no plans to buy the land which was put up for sale earlier this summer.
The 23-acre site surrounding the beach was originally owned by the Columban order of sisters, before it was sold in the 1980s.
The nuns allowed public access through a lane on their land, and, as a result, the small beach became a popular destination for generations of local families.
Since it was sold by the nuns, various owners have unsuccessfully sought planning permission for developments. These included a caravan park.
The current owner, Mr Niall Mellon, who bought the site in the late 1990s, offered to sell the beach itself and public access rights to Wicklow County Council for £1, in return for planning permission for a private home on the 23-acre site.
Planning permission for one house was overturned by An Bord Pleanála three years ago, and, since then, there have been no attempts to develop the site any further.
However, with mobile homes in exclusive developments nearby, such as Jack's Hole, selling for up to €250,000, speculators may be willing to pay up to €1 million for the 23-acre plot because it includes a beach.
Its small, cove-like nature means it is one of the only beaches close to Dublin that experiences good surfing conditions.
"As soon as you hear the ferries are cancelled, surfers from as far away as Skerries will be on their way there," according to Ms Charlotte O'Kelly of the East Coast Surf Club. The club believes the council should buy and maintain the land and beach.
"The beach is a public amenity for the whole community. Many people from the Wicklow area will tell you they spent their summers on that beach."
Ms O'Kelly also wants the council to take additional measures to improve facilities there.
Ms Liz McManus, deputy leader of the Labour Party and Wicklow TD, also believes the site should be bought by the council.
"If we're serious about Wicklow being a tourist destination, then there has to be good public access to amenities like Magheramore. It is a magnificent county in terms of natural resources, but if access is denied to people to go on to a beach, it's worthless. I believe the council has an obligation to buy the land."
However, yesterday, Wicklow County Council said it would not be making a bid on the land.
"At this stage the council has no plans to do so," said Mr Brian Doyle, director of services in the planning section of the council.
However, Mr Doyle said that the council considered there was a "public right of access" to Magheramore beach, "regardless of who owns it" and the council would enforce that right.