1st June, 2026
Dune Action Training: Nationwide 2-Day Training Programme Expands Across Ireland’s Coastal Counties
Dune Action is a coastal conservation training programme, empowering community groups, local authorities, national stakeholders, and eNGOs to protect and restore Ireland’s coastline through nature-based solutions.
Ireland’s coastal communities are being equipped with the knowledge and tools to fight back against accelerating dune erosion, as the Dune Action: Scaling for All-Island Impact training programme expands to reach all 17 coastal counties across the island of Ireland.
Led by ACT, an award-winning social enterprise, and delivered in partnership with Clean Coasts, Climate Action Regional Office, Leave No Trace Ireland, University College Dublin, and University of Galway, the programme seeks to empower communities and state agencies alike to conserve our unique coastline by understanding how coastal systems work, and what nature based solutions can be applied to protect them.
Building on a Proven Model:
The programme builds on the success of a 2024 pilot course, Beaches and Dunes for Climate Adaptation, funded by Pobal and led by Leave No Trace Ireland, which was delivered across five sites to 111 participants. An overwhelming 95% of participants felt empowered to take local action after completing the course, highlighting the urgent need for practical guidance
The expanded Dune Action course now aims to support 12 coastal communities across the island, delivering 12 on-site training courses involving over 240 participants, implementing 1,200m² of nature-based solutions, and empowering 17 dune action groups to combat erosion in their areas. This will be achieved through the delivery of:
- 12 two-day training courses, one in each new coastal county
- 3 coastal monitoring training courses, one in each of Counties Clare, Louth, and Waterford
- 3 “Train the Trainer” days, which will ensure the ongoing legacy of the Dune Action Course by equipping educators, Local Authorities, and eNGOs with the skills and knowledge to deliver the course beyond its funding term
The Two-Day Training Course:
Dune Action is delivered as a two-day training course designed to equip local stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to understand, monitor, and restore their local dune systems.
Day 1 is a five-hour indoor classroom session covering:
- Understanding dune science through the 3Ss framework: Sand, Species, and Space
- Learning how to assess dune health using the 3S methodology
- Exploring practical dune protection and restoration approaches
- An introduction to Nature-Based Solutions for coastal resilience
Participants completing Day 1 will come away with a clear understanding of how dune systems function, practical tools to assess and monitor their local dunes, knowledge of effective restoration actions, and insight into the role of Nature-Based Solutions compared to hard engineering approaches.
Day 1 has already taken place in counties Clare, Kerry, Dublin, Down, Antrim, and Derry. Day 2 will be scheduled in each of these counties shortly. Day 2 is a practical, hands-on day, delivered by Clean Coasts, which will implement a suitable nature-based approach to dune conservation in each of the Dune Action coastal sites.
Training dates for both Day 1 and Day 2 are to be confirmed for counties Louth, Meath, Wicklow, Wexford, Waterford, and Cork. Keep an eye on Leave No Trace Ireland’s online events calendar for dates and details.
Coastal Monitoring Training:
In addition to the core two-day course, three coastal monitoring training days will take place in counties Clare, Louth, and Waterford. The first of these takes place on Thursday, 4th June at Spanish Point, County Clare. The remaining two monitoring training days will be scheduled from September onwards. Keep an eye on Leave No Trace Ireland’s online events calendar for dates and details.
Train the Trainer Dates:
Central to the programme’s long-term impact is a “Train the Trainer” course, which will empower eNGOs, local authorities, and secondary school educators to deliver the programme in future.
Three Train the Trainer courses are now confirmed:
- One course for secondary school educators, fully aligned with the Junior and Leaving Certificate curriculum, enabling schools to embed dune and coastal science directly into the classroom.
- Two courses for environmental NGOs (eNGOs), equipping organisations to independently deliver the Dune Action course into the future.
A Legacy for Ireland’s Coast
By embedding knowledge and stewardship within communities and fostering strong regional networks, Dune Action is positioning Ireland as a leader in coastal climate adaptation. The ultimate goal is a lasting legacy of coastal stewardship, equipping people with the tools to safeguard Ireland’s coastline for generations to come.
For more information, please contact [email protected]
Dune Action blends geomorphology expertise with the experience of established coastal stewardship groups and is delivered through collaboration between:
ACT • Clean Coasts • Climate Action Regional Office (CARO) • Leave No Trace Ireland • University College Dublin • University of Galway
With advisory support from:
Education for Sustainability • Environmental Protection Agency • LIFE on Machair • Mayo County Council • Skreen Dromard Coast Care Group • The Wheel
Project supported by SSE Airtricity
