Drogheda Independent

DUST OFF THE BUCKET & SPADE!

16TH ANNUAL SANDCASTLE EVENT HIGHLIGHT OF WEEKEND

- By ALISON COMYN

BETTYSTOWN and Laytown beach will be the place to be for fun-filled family entertainm­ent this weekend, including the ever-popular annual sandcastle competitio­n.

To get the strand looking its best before the main events, there will be a Community Beach Clean-up on Saturday 7th July from 10am.

All are welcome to attend, and show off the beautiful beach amenities to visitors in the best light possible,

This year’s Beach Sports Festival is on Saturday, 7th July 2018 from 11 am to 6pm at Bettystown-Laytown Beaches. Beach Sports Ireland is an initiative to bring out fun, entertainm­ent aspects of all sports to Ireland Beach. Sports include Cricket, Volleyball, Soccer, Tag rugby, Athletic Races, Wind surfing, and more

Beach Cricket is fun filled entertainm­ent, competitiv­e cricket played on beach with varied rules from profession­al cricket. It is a unique, quickest and funniest version of cricket played on beach with team of six players using tennis ball.

A team of six players – five overs – costs just €60 per team and it’s open to amateurs, profession­als, men, women and children. There’s even a few medals and trophies for winners and runners-u[.

The national tour of Beach Volleyball Ireland takes place in Bettystown on Sunday 8th July (Eight courts expected). There’s a lot at stake, as this is a cross border challenge.

Also on Sunday, the 16th annual National Sandcastle and Sand Sculptor competitio­n takes place. Sculpting starts at 10.30am, while the Sandcastle competitio­n begins at 2.30pm.

Judging takes place from 4.30pm and Chair of Meath County Council Cllr Tom Kelly will be on hand to present all the prizes in the various categories for both sandcastle­s and sand sculpturin­g. This Year’s Top Prize for Senior Sculpturin­g will be €500 with €250 for Second Prize and €100 for Third Prize. The organisers want to thank Roger and Liz Pickett The Cottages Laytown, for sponsorshi­p of first prize in The National Sand Sculpture Competitio­n. F.L.A.G. The Fisheries Local Action Group, Patrick and Margaret Smith Riverside Home and Gift Mornington, Tresses and Tallons of Bettystown, Aileen Smith - The Flower Yard Mornington, Cllr Sharon Tolan, Cllr Tom Kelly and Cllr Paddy Meade for sponsorshi­p and support for the event. The overall winner of the Sandcastle­s Competitio­n will be presented with the “Dick O’Reilly Perpetual Cup”. This is presented each year to the individual or group who showed or displayed best effort on the day. A very special note of thanks to the late Dick O’Reilly’s family for sponsorshi­p of this cup.

The organisers want to say thank you to Meath County Council and The Beach Warden for their assistance with the upcoming event. Thank you also to East Meath First Responders who will be on hand on the day. So, let the fun begin - Be Sun Safe So Bring Your Sun Cream!

 ??  ?? Expect to see plenty of works of art on Bettystown Beach on Sunday
Expect to see plenty of works of art on Bettystown Beach on Sunday

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland