Record Numbers of Beach Awards Recognise Ireland’s Best Beaches
142 Reasons to Visit Ireland’s Beaches: An Taisce announce 84 International Blue Flag Awards 58 National Green Coast Awards for 2011
Today, An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag Award and the National Green Coast Award recipients for 2011. The awards were presented by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D at an awards ceremony held on Curracloe Beach, Wexford. Ireland’s award beaches have something to offer everyone, with; excellent water quality; lifeguarded swimming areas; busy promenades; world renowned surfing beaches; hidden bays and long sandy shores - there really is something for everyone.
Blue Flag
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. The 82 Irish beaches and 2 marinas that have achieved this accolade met a specific set of criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education and beach management. As a pre-requisite, the bathing water at Blue Flag beaches must meet the highest standards of bathing water quality. The numbers of Blue Flags awarded in Ireland this year has increased by eight on 2010 making the number of Blue Flags awarded reach an all time record high.
Losses
Dollymount Beach lost its Blue Flag as it did not comply with the stringent water quality requirements of the Blue Flag award. Mullaghmore in Sligo could not be awarded the Blue Flag as there were ongoing issues where livestock are roaming on the main beach area creating an unsafe environment for beach users.
Gains
However Blue Flags have been regained for Brittas Bay South in Wicklow, Traught (Kinvara) and Ceibh an Spidéal in Galway, Ross (Kilalala) and Old Head in Mayo, all of which lost their flags in 2010. Tramore in Waterford, Portrane in Fingal, Youghal Front Strand in Cork and Enniscrone in Sligo have all been awarded the Blue Flag for 2011.
Green Coast Award
The National Green Coast Award has experienced yet another year of growth with an additional 12 beaches receiving the award for 2011. Green Coast Awards go to beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. They may not have the necessary built infrastructure required to meet the criteria set for Blue Flag status however they are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.
Losses
Tra Leadbh Garbh in Donegal lost its Green Coast Award as it did not comply with water quality requirements.
Gains
Cullenstown and Ballymoney in Wexford have regained their Green Coast Award after not being awarded in 2011 after not having them in 2010.
Enniscrone in Sligo has been awarded the Green Coast Award for 2011. Skerries South, Rush, The Brook, Balcarrick and Malahide in Fingal have all been awarded Green Coast Awards for 2011. The number of Green Coast Awards in Mayo has also increased with Cross, Silver Strand, Ballycastle and Portacloy all achieving the high standard required to secure the award.
Patricia Oliver, Director, An Taisce Education, speaking at the awards said, “We are delighted that 2011 is a record year for An Taisce’s Beach Awards. The continuing high standards of our beaches are testament to the hard work carried out by Local Authorities throughout the year in order to provide clean and safe beaches for everyone to enjoy. I would also like to commend the many Coastcare groups that participate in caring for Ireland’s fantastic beaches through community clean-ups and coastal enhancement projects such as marram grass planting.”
Speaking at the awards Minister Hogan said,
“The increase in the number of blue flags in 2011 is very welcome and is due to the combined efforts of the Local Authorities and coastal communities on the ground as well as those in the wider catchment who are playing their part in working to improve water quality.”
Also speaking at the awards, Mr Eddie Taaffe, Director of Service, Wexford County Council,
“Wexford County Council is delighted that it has retained its Blue Flags at the popular beaches of Rosslare, Curracloe, Morriscastle and Courtown. The Blue Flag is a mark of distinction that is highly valued by the county. The beaches of Cahore, Old Bawn, Ballinesker, Culleton’s Gap, Ballymoney, and Cullenstown have been awarded green coast awards for 2011 which is very welcome and demonstrates the commitment to improving water quality at beaches and areas designated to facilitate all aspects of recreational water use in the county. Kilmore Quay marina has retained its Blue Flag for 2011 and remains the only coastal marina in the country. Our thanks has to go to the local coastal communities, coastcare groups and to local individuals, businesses and clubs who assist, year in and year out, in maintaining these beaches at award status and developing high quality amenity facilities along our coastline that can be used by locals and tourists alike.”
A map showing all the award winning beaches with descriptions, directions, facilities and pictures can be found at www.beachawards.ie. For information on water quality results please visit the EPA’s website www.bathingwater.ie. For detailed information on all Blue Flag criteria please visit www.blueflag.org.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Annabel FitzGerald, Coastal Programmes Manager, An Taisce Environmental Education Unit:
087 6169727
Notes to the Editors
- The Blue Flag is administered in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Blue Flag beaches are judged against a total of 32 criteria.
- For further information on these criteria please see www.blueflag.org
- All award schemes use water quality information from samples taken in line with the EU Bathing Water Directive.
- The Blue Flag programme is funded in Ireland by the Department of the Environment, Heritage & Local Government.
- 2011 is the fourth year that the Green Coast Award has been conducted nation-wide. The award had been piloted for the previous 5 years in the South East of the country as part of an Interreg III programme.
- The award forms one part of the two-part Clean Coast Programme the second of which is Coast Care.
- Coast Care encourages local community groups to get involved in the environmental management and protection of their local coastline. The programme can assist with this work by supplying materials, contacts and advice on coastal environmental issues.
- The Green Coast Award in funded by the Department of the Environment, Community & Local Government and is supported by Fáilte Ireland and Coca-Cola
2011 BLUE FLAG AWARDEES
LOUTH – 3 FLAGS
Louth County Council retains all 3 Blue Flags at Templetown, Port and Clogherhead.
DUBLIN – 2 FLAGS
Fingal County Council: Fingal has regained the Blue Flag for the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock and also has been awarded the Blue Flag for Portrane.
Dublin City: looses the Blue Flag for Dollymount in 2011 due to non-compliance with water quality.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: No applications submitted.
WICKLOW – 3 FLAGS
Wicklow County Council retains the Blue Flag at Brittas Bay North and Greystones. The Blue Flag was regained at Brittas Bay South.
WEXFORD – 4 FLAGS
Wexford County Council retained flags for 2011 at Courtown, Curracloe, Morriscastle and Rosslare.
WATERFORD – 3 FLAGS
Waterford County Council retained the Blue Flag for Clonea Strand and Bunmahon. Tramore was awarded the Blue Flag for 2011.
CORK – 11 FLAGS
Cork County Council retained 10 flags at Garryvoe, Garretstown, Garrylucas, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, Warren, Tragumna, and Barleycove, Claycastle and Redbarn.
Youghal front strand has been awarded the Blue Flag for 2011.
KERRY – 13 FLAGS
Kerry County Council retains 13 flags for Derrynane, Magherabeg, Ballinskelligs, White Strand-Caherciveen, Kells, Rossbeigh, Inch, Ventry, Fenit, Banna, Ballyheigue, Ballybunion North and Ballybunion South.
CLARE – 8 FLAGS
Clare County Council retains 8 flags for Doonbeg, Cappagh, Kilkee, White Strand-Miltown Malbay, Lahinch, and Fanore.
Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon - 2 freshwater bathing areas on Lough Derg also retained their Blue Flags.
GALWAY - 8 FLAGS
Galway City Council retained 2 Blue Flags for Salthill and Silverstrand.
Galway County Council receives 6 flags for Loughrea Lake, Trá Mhór Coill Rua, Trá an Doilín and Cill Muirbhithe. Céibh an Speideil and Traught have regained their Blue Flags after loosing them in 2010.
MAYO – 13 FLAGS
Mayo County Council retains 11 Blue flags for Bertra, Carrowmore, Clare Island, Mulranny, Dooega, Doogort, Keem, Keel, Golden Strand, Elly Bay, Mullaghroe.
Both Ross and Oldhead have regained their Blue Flags for 2011.
SLIGO – 2 FLAGs
Sligo County Council retains the Blue Flag for Rosses Point.
A Blue Flag is awarded to Enniscrone in Sligo.
Mullaghmore could not be awarded the Blue Flag due to the lack of a life guard for the 2011 season and unresolved livestock on the beach issues.
DONEGAL – 12 FLAGS
Bundoran Town Council retained the Blue Flag for its beach at Bundoran.
Donegal County Council 11 retained Blue Flags flags for Murvagh, Rossnowlagh, Fintra, Narin-Portnoo, Carrickfinn, Marble Hill, Lisfannon, Portsalon, Killahoey, Shroove and Culdaff.
2011 BLUE FLAG MARINAS (2)
The marinas awarded for 2011 are:
- Westmeath: Killinure Point Marina, Glasson. This marina is managed by the Quigley’s and Waveline. It is located on the inner lakes of Lough Ree on the Shannon.
- Wexford: Kilmore Quay Marina is operated by Wexford County Council and is our only coastal Blue Flag marina.
2011 GREEN COASTS AWARDEES
LOUTH – None
No applications for GCA.
MEATH – 1 GCA
Meath County Council retained the GCA for Mornington Beach
DUBLIN – 6 GCAs
Fingal County Council: Fingal has retained the GCA for the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock.
Fingal has been awarded the GCA for Skerries South, Rush, The Brook, Balcarrick and Malahide.
Dublin City: has lost the GCA for Dollymount and Merrion Strand.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: No applications for GCA.
WICKLOW – None
Wicklow County Council: No application received.
WEXFORD – 6 GCAs
Wexford County Council retained GCAs for 2011 at Old Bawn, Cahore, Ballinesker and Culleton’s Gap.
Wexford regained GCAs at Cullenstown and Ballymoney after not having them in 2010.
WATERFORD – 5 GCAs
Waterford County Council received the GCA for Newtown Cove, Curragh, Annestown, Goats Island and Ballyquin.
CORK – 12 GCAs
Cork County Council retained the GCAs for Claycastle, Ballyrisode, Garryvoe, Inch Strand, Rocky Bay, Cadogans Strand, Galley Cove, Gairnish, Red strand and Inch. They also received the GCA for Oysterhaven and Ardnahinch.
KERRY – 1 GCA
Kerry County Council retained the GCA for Béal Bán.
CLARE – None
GALWAY – 7 GCAs
Galway City Council retained the GCA for Salthill and Silver Strand.
Galway County Council received the GCA for Aillebrack, Trá Inis Oirr, Dog’s Bay, East End Inisbofin, Dumhach Beach.
MAYO – 8 GCAs
Mayo County Council retained the GCA for Whitestrand, Termon, Srah and Carrowniskey.
They were also awarded the GCA for Cross,Portacloy, Ballycastle and Silver Strand.
SLIGO – 5 GCAs
Sligo County Council received GCAs for Dunmoran strand, Rosses point, Streedagh and Mullaghmore.
Enniscrone has been awarded the GCA for 2011.
DONEGAL – 7 GCAs
Donegal County Council received GCAs for Dooey Beach, Port Arthur, Magheroarty Beach, Drumnatinney, Ballyhernan, Ladies Bay and Rathmullan.
Trá Leadhb Garbh has lost its GCA due to non-compliance with water quality.