Number of Blue Flag beaches falls once more

BLUE flags were awarded to 76 beaches and marinas yesterday – the lowest number since 2002.

Environment Minister John Gormley made the awards to 74 beaches and two marinas yesterday, in addition to 46 Green Coast Awards.

However, while some counties gained Blue Flag status last year – Cork increased by two to 12 and Kerry added one more to bring its total to 13 – the country has one less Blue Flag beach than last year.

It is also the fifth successive year in which the number of Blue Flag beaches has fallen, despite flags being gained at Redbarn and Claycastle in Cork, Maherabeg in Kerry, Rosses Point in Sligo and at Portmarnock in Dublin.

Mr Gormley said: “The net loss in Blue Flags is disappointing but I would like to congratulate the successful candidates, especially the five new beaches that made the cut.”

The Blue Flag – also awarded to marinas in Killinure Point at Glasson, Lough Ree and Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford – is the international award for beach excellence and is operated by An Taisce.

Co Kerry has the highest number of Blue Flag beaches with 13, followed by Co Donegal with 12, Co Mayo with 11 and Co Cork with 10.

The five flags lost from last year were as a result of a drop in water quality at Brittas Bay South in Co Wexford, Spiddeal Pier and Traught, both in Galway, and Killala Strand and Louisburgh, both in Mayo.

Another flag was lost at Mullaghmore in Sligo because there was no lifeguard for the 2010 season and there are issues regarding livestock on the beach.

The Green Coast Awards were first operated with authorities in Wales and now extends to the coastline of Ireland. It seeks to promote and protect the environment of rural beaches in Ireland, the North and Wales, aiming to acknowledge natural, unspoilt beaches.

There were six more Green Coast Awards this year than in 2009, and Mr Gormley said the continuing upgrading of waste water collection and treatment systems through the Water Services Investment Programme should help more areas to improve the condition of local beaches, alongside the €512 million expansion of national water services infrastructure.

Cork county has the highest number of Green Coast Award beaches, with 10, followed by Donegal with eight.

* www.beachawards.ie