A Record 88 Blue Flags and 61 Green Coast Awards awarded for the 2017 Season
Today, An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2017. The awards were presented by Senator Jerry Buttimer at an awards ceremony held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club in Crosshaven, Co. Cork at 12 noon this afternoon.
Speaking at the awards Senator Buttimer said:
“On this, the 30th anniversary of Blue Flag awards in Ireland, I am happy to announce that a total of 149 Blue Flag and Green Coast awards will be made today, which is an increase of 8 awards from last year and represents a record high.”
“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. I am very honoured to be associated with the prestigious Blue Flag programme on its 30th anniversary and to present the awards to this year’s very worthy recipients.”
Dr. Michael John O’Mahony, Director at An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit speaking at the awards said:
“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”.
Cllr Steven Matthews, Cathaoirleach of Bray Municipal District said
“I’m absolutely delighted for Bray to regain the Blue Flag status. It also means that Bray Seafront is well managed, has good accessibility for all users and offers a good range of facilities for everyone. Achieving the highest standard for water quality is often the biggest hurdle to overcome in winning Blue Flag status. A big thanks must also go to Bray Tidy Towns and Bray Coastcare. Wicklow County Council outdoor staff, council executive and local councillors have always been committed to managing and maintaining Bray seafront and this award is well deserved for the hard work put in over the years”.
Blue Flag
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. The Blue Flag originated in France in 1985 when French coastal Local Authorities were awarded with the Blue Flag for compliance with sewage treatment and bathing water quality criteria. It was launched as an International programme as part of the “European Year of the Environment in 1987. In 1988, the first year sites were awarded outside of France 19 beaches and 2 marinas received the Blue Flag in Ireland. 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. Bray South Promenade regains Blue Flag status, having not flown the Flag since 2000. Redbarn and Garretstown in Cork and Ross in County Mayo regained Blue Flag status lost in 2016.
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).
About Bray Beach
The beach is located in the North of County Wicklow, adjacent to the border with County Dublin. The beach is on the sea front of Bray Town and is a 10 minute walk from Bray Main Street and 2 minutes from Bray Dart Train Station. The Beach stretches between Bray Head to the South and Bray Harbour to the North. The designated Blue Flag area makes up the Southern half and is 1000m long. The first 20 metres of beach seaward is shingle and steep sloping. Closer to the water’s edge, the beach is gently sloping with sand and pebbles. See www.blueflagireland.org/bray-south-promenade/beach for more information.
Blue Flag Map