A bolt out of the blue for beaches
FOUR Irish beaches that flew a Blue Flag last year have been stripped of the prestigious status for 2023 while three new ones clinched the accolade, say An Taisce.
Blue Flags are an internationally recognised symbol used to spotlight pristine beaches and marinas for water quality, environmental management, education and safety.
They have been doled out in Ireland since 1988, when 19 awards were given.
This year, 84 State beaches and 10 marinas will be able to fly them with Kerry home to the lion’s share with 15 Blue Flags.
The beaches that had blue flags in 2022 and lost them this year are Cappagh Pier, Kilrush in Co Clare; Garretstown in Co Cork; Counsellors’ Strand (Dunmore East) and Dunmore Strand (Dunmore East) both in Co Waterford.
But there was also good news for Mayo as all three of this year’s new additions came from the county.
Old Head won its first blue flag since 2012 while Bertra, which last flew a Blue Flag in 2020 has been awarded for the 2023 bathing season and Clare Island.
While Louisburgh regained its Blue Flag status after losing it in 2022 for not achieving “excellent” water quality.
All 10 marinas awarded in 2022 have retained Blue Flag status for the coming season.
The Blue Flag Awards are announced alongside the National Green Coast Awards and combined Ireland had a record breaking year with a total of 159.
It comes as the State celebrates the twentieth anniversary of its Clean Coasts and Green Coast awards.
The awards were presented by the Minister of State for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’brien, overlooking Donabate’s Balcarrick Blue Flag
beach in Co Dublin. Minister O’brien said: “This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of Clean Coasts and the Green Coast Awards and I am delighted to present a record-breaking 65 Green Coast Awards.
“It also marks 36 years of the Blue Flag as an international programme and I am pleased to present 94 Blue Flags for the 2023 season.
“During
its 36 years, the Blue
Flag has become a recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.
“Today’s high number of awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and volunteers.”
The Green Coast Awards were first presented back in 2003 to four beaches in Co Wexford and rolled out nationally in 2008.
They highlight the work of the country’s 1,800 Clean Coasts groups in which volunteers give up their time to do community cleanups.
This year saw a rise in three Green Coast Awards compared to 2022.
The three sites are Bettystown in Co Meath, awarded for the first time; Mayo’s Carrowniskey Beach, awarded for the last time in 2019 and Rosslare Harbour Beach in Co Wexford, last awarded in 2021.