It’s a great idea on so many levels.

A new Toy Library is now open at the entrance to Inchydoney Beach in Clonakilty, inviting visiting children to choose beach toys to play with while they enjoy the sand.

The colourful unit was created and built by the hard working volunteers of Clonakilty’s Tidy Towns group.

So many plastic buckets, spades, and moulds are bought by holidaymakers, used once or twice, and then left behind on beaches or tossed in the bin. A toy library promotes reuse, keeping countless plastic items out of landfills and, crucially, out of our oceans.

When plastic toys are left on the beach, they can easily be swept into the sea, breaking down into microplastics that harm marine life and entire ecosystems. The toy library provides a designated place for toys to be returned, preventing them from becoming litter.

Another benefit of a borrow option is that parents don’t have to buy new plastic beach toys every time they visit the beach. This is a huge win, especially for families on a budget or those just visiting for a day.

Bonus points? No more lugging a bag full of sandy toys to and from the car. If you have buckets and spades that are in good condition, you can leave them at the stand from this week.