Beach Awards Recognise Ireland’s Best Beaches
An Taisce announce 76 International Blue Flag Awards 46 National Green Coast Awards for 2010
Today, An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag Award and the National Green Coast Award recipients for 2010. The awards were presented by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Mr. John Gormley, T.D at an awards ceremony held on the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock in Fingal at 12 noon today.
Blue Flag
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. The 74 Irish beaches and 2 marinas that achieved this accolade met a specific set of criteria related to water quality, 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 overall Blue Flags in Ireland this year is down only one on 2009. While five beaches regained their Blue Flags; Maherabeg, Co. Kerry; Claycastle and Redbarn, Co. Cork; Rosses Point, Co. Sligo and Portmarnock in Fingal, Co. Dublin. Six others did not comply with the stringent Blue Flag criteria; Brittas Bay South, Co. Wicklow; Ross and Oldhead, Co. Mayo; Traught and Ceibh an Spidéal, Co. Galway and Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo.
Green Coast Award
The National Green Coast Award has seen another year of growth with an additional six beaches receiving the award for 2010. 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.
Patricia Oliver, Director An Taisce Environmental Education Unit, speaking at the awards said, “I would like to pay tribute to all the hard work that goes into achieving and maintaining these awards by Local Authorities and local communities, and particularly in this economic climate, I would encourage people to participate in caring for the fantastic beaches we have around the Irish coast this summer. From the beautiful beaches of Donegal in the north west to the welcoming beaches of Wexford in the sunny south east Ireland’s award beaches have something to offer everyone, with; excellent water quality; lifeguarded swimming areas; bustling promenades; world class surf; secluded bays and long biodiversity rich sandy shores - there really is something for everyone.”
An Taisce would like to commend all coastal Local Authorities for their commitment in achieving the high environmental and quality standards required of Blue Flag and Green Coast Award beaches.
Speaking at the awards Minister Gormley said,
“I am delighted to be here in Portmarnock at the announcement of the Blue Flag and Green Coast awards for 2010. These awards are internationally recognised and are such an important signal of the quality of our beaches. The loss of a Blue Flag this year is disappointing but I would like to congratulate the successful candidates especially the five new beaches that made the cut: Redbarn and Claycastle in Co. Cork, Maherabeg in Co. Kerry, Rosses Point in Sligo and the Velvet Strand here in Portmarnock”.
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:
Patricia Oliver, Director An Taisce Environmental Education Unit:
087 2463929
Annabel Mc Loone, (Blue Flag & Green Coast Award Manager)
01- 4002210
STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 12pm on Monday 14th of June 2010
Photos will be available on Monday afternoon from Maxwell Photography Tel: +35318308072 or maxpics@eircom.net
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.
- 2010 is the third 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, Heritage & Local Government and is supported by Fáilte Ireland, Coca-Cola and SECAD (South East Cork Area Development).
The breakdown of Blue Flags around the country:
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. The last time the Blue Flag flew at the Velvet Strand was 1991.
Dublin City: retains the Blue Flag for Dollymount in 2010.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: No applications submitted.
WICKLOW – 2 FLAGS
Wicklow County Council retains the Blue Flag at Brittas Bay North and Greystones. The Blue Flag was lost at Brittas Bay South due to not meeting the Blue Flag Water Quality criteria.
WEXFORD – 4 FLAGS
Wexford County Council retained flags for 2010 at Courtown, Curracloe Morriscastle and Rosslare.
WATERFORD – 2 FLAGS
Waterford County Council retained the Blue Flag for Clonea Strand and Bunmahon. Tramore did not comply with all BF criteria.
CORK – 10 FLAGS
Cork County Council retained 8 flags at Garryvoe, Garretstown, Garrylucas, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, Warren, Tragumna, and Barleycove.
Claycastle regained Blue Flag status after losing the BF in 2009.
Redbarn has been awarded with the Blue Flag for the first time.
KERRY – 13 FLAGS
Kerry County Council retains 12 flags for Derrynane, Ballinskelligs, White Strand-Caherciveen, Kells, Rossbeigh, Inch, Ceann Trá, Fenit, Banna, Ballyheigue, Ballybunion North and Ballybunion South.
Magherabeg regained the Blue Flag after losing it in 2009.
CLARE – 8 FLAGS
Clare County Council receives 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 - 6 FLAGS
Galway City Council retained 2 Blue Flags for Salthill and Silverstrand.
Galway County Council receives 4 flags for Loughrea Lake, Trá Mhór Coill Rua, Trá an Doilín and Cill Muirbhithe.
Céibh an Speideil and Traught have lost their Blue Flags due to non-compliance with BF bathing water criteria.
MAYO – 11 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 lost their Blue Flags for 2010.
SLIGO – 1 FLAG
Sligo County Council receives one flag at Rosses point and loses the Blue Flag at Mullaghmore.
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.
2010 BLUE FLAG MARINAS (2)
The marinas awarded for 2010 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.
The breakdown of Green Coast Awards around the country:
LOUTH – None
No applications for GCA.
MEATH – 1 GCA
Meath County Council received the GCA for Mornington Beach
DUBLIN – 3 GCAs
Fingal County Council: Fingal has received the GCA for the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock.
Dublin City: retains the GCA for Dollymount in 2010 and receives the GCA for Merrion Strand.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council: No applications for GCA.
WICKLOW – None
Wicklow County Council: Arklow South Beach did not retain GCA for 2010.
WEXFORD – 4 GCAs
Wexford County Council retained GCAs for 2010 at Old Bawn, Cahore, Ballinesker and Culleton’s Gap.
Wexford lost GCAs at Cullenstown and Ballymoney.
WATERFORD – 5 GCAs
Waterford County Council received the GCA for Guillamene Cove, Boaststrand, Annestown, Goats Island and Ballyquin. The GCA was lost at the Curragh.
CORK – 10 GCAs
Cork County Council achieved 8 new GCAs for Claycastle, Ballyrisode, Garryvoe, Ring, Rocky Bay, Cadogans Strand, Galley Cove and Gairnish. They also retained the GCA for Red strand and Inch.
KERRY – 1 GCA
Kerry County Council retained the GCA for Béal Bán.
CLARE – None
GALWAY – 6 GCAs
Galway City Council retained the GCA for Salthill and Silver Strand.
Galway County Council received the GCA for Trá Inis Oirr, Dog’s Bay, East End Inisbofin, Dumhach Beach.
MAYO – 4 GCAs
Mayo County Council received GCA for Whitestrand, Termon, Srah and Carrowniskey.
SLIGO – 4 GCAs
Sligo County Council received GCAs for Dunmoran strand, Rosses point, Streedagh and Mullaghmore.
DONEGAL – 8 GCAs
Donegal County Council received GCAs for Dooey Beach, Trá Leadhb Garbh, Port Arthur, Magheroarty Beach, Drumnatinney, Ballyhernan, Ladies Bay and Rathmullan
International Press Release
FEE / Blue Flag International Blue Flag jury awards for Europe, Morocco, Tunisia and Canada in 2010
The International Blue Flag Jury met on 23 April 2010 to review the Blue Flag candidates from the Northern hemisphere: Europe, Morocco, Tunisia and Canada. The International Jury decided to award the Blue Flag to 2884 beaches and 627 marinas in 33 countries in the northern hemisphere. For the first time the Blue Flag was awarded to beaches in Ukraine while sites in Trinidad & Tobago, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates are ready to join the programme with pilot sites. More detailed information about the 2010 awards will be published on the Blue Flag website www.blueflag.org on 5 June 2010.
Every year, the National Blue Flag Jury studies in detail all the Blue Flag candidates, assuring their compliance with all beach and marina criteria on national and international level. Those accepted candidates are then forwarded to the International Jury, who focuses on certain criteria that vary from year to year, and give their final decision after having discussed and reviewed the candidates.
The Blue Flag programme has always been a precursor for introducing environmental education, safety and services on its sites to the general public. Continuously striving towards higher standards, the Blue Flag decided in 2007 that it was time for a change in its bathing water quality criteria, therefore initiating an ongoing process of discussions with technical and scientific experts. A new international standard which could apply to all the participating countries worldwide was agreed upon. This year was the first year where the new bathing water quality criteria was tested and adopted by certain countries. In a transition phase and until 2012, the countries have the possibility to apply either the old or the new Blue Flag bathing water quality. The International Jury has been very pleased with the use of the new bathing water quality criteria for its first year. The International Blue Flag Jury will be meeting in September 2010, to evaluate the Blue Flag candidate beaches and marinas from South Africa, the countries of the Caribbean, Brazil and New Zealand. The International Blue Flag Jury is composed of representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), International Lifesaving Federation (ILS), the European Environment Agency (EEA), European Union for Coastal Conservation (EUCC), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an Environmental Education expert, the International Council of Marine Industry Associations (ICOMIA) and the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). The Blue Flag highly appreciates the good cooperation with its sponsors and would like to thank Corona Extra, Shipmate and BeachTech for their support over the years. Last but not least, the Blue Flag International Jury would like to congratulate all awarded sites for their commitment to the programme and invaluable willingness in bringing their sites to very high quality standards for the benefits of the public.
Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is an international organisation that has been promoting environmental education for sustainable development since 1981. FEE is an umbrella organisation with members in around 60 countries world-wide. FEE is active in environmental education mainly through five programmes: Blue Flag, Eco-Schools, Young Reporters for the Environment, Learning about Forests, and Green Key. More information about FEE and the FEE programmes can be found at www.fee-international.org.