The International Blue Flag Award recipients for 2017 were announced today, with Donegal’s beaches both gaining and losing awards.
Lisfannon beach lost its Blue Flag, while Greencastle Marina will be raising a flag for the first time this year.
Lisfannon was not awarded due to drop in Annual Bathing Water Classification from Excellent to Good. Excellent status is the standard required to award the Blue Flag.
The loss of Lisfannon and the first time awarding of Greencastle leaves Donegal 2nd only to Kerry in the number of Blue Flags awarded for 2017 with 13. This is the same number as last year. Kerry has 14 Blue Flag beaches.
List of Donegal Blue Flag Beaches 2017:
Downings
Rossnowlagh
Greencastle Marina
Bundoran
Carrickfinn
Culdaff
Fintra
Killahoey
Magherawarden (Portsalon)
Marblehill
Murvagh
Portnoo /Naran
Shroove
A total of 149 International Blue Flag and Green Coast awards were announced by An Taisce today, an increase of 8 awards on last year. The awards were presented by Senator Jerry Buttimer today in Co. Cork.
Speaking at the awards Senator Buttimer said:
“The Blue Flag has become a truly global symbol with an ever-increasing number of countries participating in the programme. The programme promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas and challenges local authorities and beach operators to achieve high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.
“Over the years, the programme has become a highly respected and recognised eco-label working to bring together the tourism and environmental sectors. There are also very tangible economic benefits to be derived from our marvellous coastal environment and quality facilities, both at local, regional and national levels. ”
Dr. Michael John O’Mahony, Director at An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit paid tribute to the local authorities and volunteers who keep local beaches safe and clean each year to ensure they keep their award statuses.
“I would like to thanks and acknowledge the work of the Local Authorities and marina operators here today for all their efforts in ensuring that the sites being awarded for the 2017 bathing season have achieved the excellent standards required by the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards.
“I would also like to commend the many thousands of Clean Coasts volunteers who participate in community clean-ups and coastal enhancement projects in their local areas throughout the year. It is the work of the Local Authorities and Clean Coasts Volunteers that ensures that Ireland’s fantastic beaches remain clean and safe for everyone to enjoy”.
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. This year is the 30th year of the Blue Flag as an international programme, more than 4250 beaches, marinas will be awarded in 47 countries globally.
The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and inland bathing waters around the world. The 81 Irish beaches and 7 marinas that have achieved this accolade adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management.
The number of sites receiving the award is up 3 on 2016, whilst 3 of the beaches awarded in 2016 did not retain Blue Flag status. The Blue Flag will be raised for the first time at both Portumna in County Galway and at Greencastle Marina in County Donegal.
An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland is responsible for the operation of the Blue Flag programme in Ireland on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).
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