Duncannon Beach chosen for centenary sand art as Wexford named among Ireland’s favourite beach counties

Duncannon Beach has provided the backdrop for a major centenary celebration by IPB Insurance, as new research places Wexford among Ireland’s favourite counties for beaches.

A large-scale sand art installation has been created on the South Wexford beach to mark 100 years since the establishment of IPB Insurance.

The specially commissioned artwork was created by renowned Irish environmental artist Sean Corcoran and is designed around the insurer’s circular logo, with a Celtic motif at its centre.

The installation coincides with new nationwide research commissioned to mark the organisation’s centenary.

The findings named Kerry, Donegal and Wexford as Ireland’s favourite beach counties, while 93 per cent of those surveyed said protecting Ireland’s beaches and public spaces is important.

The artwork on Duncannon Beach is divided into four sections representing different aspects of IPB’s work over the past century.

They include Ireland’s coastline and waterways, roads and transport networks, parks and green spaces, while a rising sun represents optimism and the future.

Created entirely from natural sand, the installation follows a “leave no trace” approach and will naturally return to the landscape.

IPB Insurance was established in 1926 as Ireland’s first mutual insurer for public bodies and works with local authorities and other public-sector organisations in protecting infrastructure and public spaces.

Speaking at Duncannon Beach, CEO John Kearns said the organisation had spent a century working alongside local authorities and public bodies to safeguard places and services people rely on every day.

He said the new research demonstrates how strongly people value Ireland’s beaches, landmarks and public spaces.

Since 2012, IPB Insurance says it has also committed €23 million to social and community initiatives across Ireland, supporting areas including voluntary organisations, sport, education and social enterprise.