4th September 2001

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The culmination of a three year research project into rural beach management will come to a head tomorrow with the launch of a book authored by four University of Ulster researchers.

“Rural beach management: a good practice guide”, is the outcome of a collaboration between the University of Ulster’s Coastal Research Group and Donegal County Council.

The book, which will be launched by Mary Coughlin, Jnr Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltach at an official ceremony in Narin, County Donegal tomorrow, will provide a guide for individuals, community groups and local authorities in dealing with rural beach management.

It offers invaluable advice on how to deal with the real life problems of beaches and sand dunes and is applicable to rural beaches everywhere, particularly those on the Atlantic coastline of Europe.

“Rural coastlines have specific management needs-they are often scenically beautiful, remote, sparsely populated and economically deprived,” explains Andrew Cooper, project leader and head of the university’s Coastal Research Group.

“The pressures for development are strong because of the economic benefits, but yet the potential for irreparable environmental damage is great”.

“Through this project and publication we hope to have made a contribution to the debate on coastal zone management in Europe”.

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk