An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2024 include a Clare beach that receives its first flag.
The awards were presented by Hildegarde Naughton TD – Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Education at a ceremony held in the Galway Bay Hotel overlooking Salthill Blue Flag beach this afternoon.
Talking at the event, Ms. Cathy Baxter, Director of the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce, said: “We were delighted to be welcomed to Salthill, a Blue Flag and Green Coast Award beach for many years, for the opportunity to celebrate the beaches and marinas awarded for the 2024 season. The Local Authorities, marina operators and Clean Coasts groups responsible for their management have worked tirelessly to ensure that these sites meet the excellent standards required by The Blue Flag and Green Coast Award. I would like to congratulate all the awardees on their success, and to thank Galway City Council for hosting us here today.”
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. In 1988, the first year sites were awarded outside of France 19 beaches and 2 marinas received the Blue Flag in Ireland. 2024 is the 37th year that beaches and marinas have been awarded here in Ireland, with 94 beaches and marinas being awarded for the 2024 season.
The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world. The 85 Irish beaches and 9 marinas that have achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management for the duration of the bathing season.
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). 48 Countries operate the Blue Flag programme globally and more than 5000 beaches, marinas and tourism boats will be awarded the Blue Flag this year. The Blue Flag programme in Ireland is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
Green Coast Award: A record-breaking 70 Beaches receive the Green Coast Award for the 2024 Bathing Season
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Award sites are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who 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 in an effort to protect and enhance local coastal environs, and to celebrate the efforts of those communities.
The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003. The award was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The 2024 season sees a record breaking 70 beaches being awarded the Green Coast Award. This is an increase of 4 awards compared to last year.
Five sites, which weren’t awarded in 2023, have received their flag in 2024 including Quilty Beach, Seafield, Co. Clare which hadn’t applied last year.
In the Republic of Ireland the Green Coast Award is operated by An Taisce with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland.
Blue Flag Beaches in Ireland for the 2024 bathing season
Ballycuggeran, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point,
White Strand (Doonbeg) and White Strand (Miltown Malbay)
Green Coast Award – Beaches 2024
Carrigaholt Beach, Seafield, Quilty, Ballyalla Lake and Bishops Quarter