Life’s a beach as sun bursts through gloom
WITH the temperature hovering at 20 degrees, scores of people travelled to Duncannon beach on Wednesday to kick back and relax from the Covid-19 madness, including some people who have been cooped up indoors, cocooning.
Noreen Doyle is no stranger to Duncannon Beach, living in the seaside village. Over the past few weeks since restrictions were eased for people aged over 70, she has been enjoying the terrific vista the beach affords from a bench in a viewing area at the top of road leading down to the golden sand.
Noreen found not being able to spend time with her grandchildren very difficult during the cocooning period. ‘I would have seen them because they’re living locally but not in the same way,’ she said.
Joined by her daughter Niamh and granddaughter Cara, she was in no hurry anywhere, taking in the sea breeze and protected by a lovely sun hat. Cara said she was enjoying spending more time in the company of her granny.
Along the beach, adults were sun bathing, children were digging sand castles and elderly people were strolling, making the most of the fine weather.
Another Duncannon resident, Ronan Cleary, was enjoying a walk with his daughter Aoife when we caught up with him.
‘ This is about the busiest it has been,’ Ronan said, taking in the rows of cars along the beach.
Both Ronan and Aoife were enjoying a break from the homework.
A cocooning woman who was driven from New Ross to the beach by a neighbour, said: ‘It’s quare lovely! I’ve been on my own all of the time and been doing video calls which is something new for me. I’m after putting on weight so it’s good to get out.’
Jim McDonald from Duncannon said he is a new man ever since he was allowed go for walks on his beloved beach again. ‘I am a widower for 22 years. I live on my own so it wasn’t a big change for me. I missed my freedom, especially going out to the shops.’
A constant presence on the hill leading up to the Star of the Sea Church, Jim enjoys sitting out on his chair and reading, waving at people as they pass by in that friendly way of his. Jim (81) said: ‘ This is the busiest I’ve seen it.’ He said his neighbours have been very good to him and his daughter does his weekly shop, so he is well looked after.
‘ This would’ve been far worse if it was winter and you’re looking out at wind and rain.’
He said the Nphet advice has worked and the figures are low.
A Co Waterford resident, who was on a deck chair enjoying a snack, surrounded by her grandchildren, said she was loving her trip to Duncannon, having travelled over on the ferry from Passage East.
She spoke of the heartache of missing family during Covid-19, as her grandchildren, toes dug deep into the sand, munched on buttered Tayto baps. The children, clearly loving the fine weather, said they miss their friends, before tucking into said baps.
A man who travelled from Graiguenamanagh with his three young children, said his children needed a break so he took them for a drive and ended up in Duncannon.
Surrounded by beach toys and picnic food, with a beach badminton set and net, he said it is very difficult for young children who live in an estate, adding that just the children expect that he is always able to play and have fun just because he’s working from home.