Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards for 13 beaches across Clare
Beaches and bathing spots across the Banner County received the awards
An Taisce has announced that Blue Flags have been retained for the 2024 bathing season by eight Clare beaches, namely Ballycuggaran, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point, White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay.
Ballyallia Lake, Bishopsquarter, Carrigaholt Beach and Seafield have each retained the Green Coast Award.
Meanwhile, Quilty beach is a first-time recipient of the Green Coast Award.
The awards were presented by Minister of State, Hildegarde Naughton TD on Monday, May 20.
Cllr Ian Lynch, Cathaoirleach, West Clare Municipal District, said, “I am delighted to see that Quilty beach is a first-time recipient of the Green Coast Award. This is a credit to the Council and the local community for their continued efforts in the area. Green Coast Award sites such as Quilty are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.”
Kilrush Marina has also been included in the list of Blue Flag Marinas for the fourth consecutive year.
The Local Authority said the loss of Cappagh’s Blue Flag for a second year relates to historical sampling data relating to testing carried out during the past four years but is reassuring the public that testing of the bathing water at the beach has, since 19th June 2023, shown excellent water quality results and remains safe for swimming.
Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Physical Development, Clare County Council, stated that Clare received a record number of Green Coast Awards for our county and that the Blue Flag Programme is recognised throughout the world as an indicator of excellent water quality, beach infrastructure and management.
“Clare County Council is delighted to have been awarded eight Blue Flag and five Green Coast Awards at the recent ceremony in Galway City. Having the Flags flying over our beaches will have a positive impact on our local tourism portfolio,” he said.
Brendan Flynn, Senior Executive Engineer, Environment Section, Clare County Council, said, “Visitors to all our blue flag and green coast beaches including Cappagh, can be informed of water quality by checking the notice board at the beach, by following Clare County Council’s Facebook page or by visiting www.beaches.ie. People can be assured that Cappagh remains a safe environment in which to enjoy the waters of the Shannon Estuary.”
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards. Originating in France in 1985, it was launched as an international programme as part of the European Year of the Environment in 1987.
2024 is the 37th year that beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags here in Ireland, with 94 beaches and marinas selected for the 2024 season.
Cllr Joe Cooney, Cathaoirleach, Clare County Council, commented, “Clare has a strong tradition of participation in the Blue Flag award scheme, which represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management and safety, services and facilities. The county’s beaches have a longstanding reputation for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. I want to acknowledge local authority staff and communities across the county for playing their role in Clare’s continued success in the Blue Flag programme.”
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups, which participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches, in cooperation with Local Authorities.
The main purpose of the Green Coast Award programme is to foster partnerships within communities to protect and enhance local coastal environs and celebrate the efforts of those communities.