Nine prestigious International Blue Flag status has been awarded to Clare beaches, including Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggeran, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch.
Green Coast Awards were also awarded to the beaches at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan), Seafield (Quilty) and for the first time, Ballyalla Lake.
An Taisce’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards were accepted on behalf of Clare County Council by Councillor Paul Murphy, Leas Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, and Claire McGrath, Clare Water Safety development officer, at a ceremony held at the Royal Cork Yacht Club, Crosshaven, County Cork today (Monday)
The Blue Flag is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to over 4000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Brazil, Canada and the Caribbean. The award, which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) – represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management and safety, services and facilities.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty and is targeted at beaches that may not have the necessary built infrastructure required to meet the criteria set for Blue Flag status. Bishops Quarter, Seafield and Ballyalla Lake were awarded by the Irish Green Coast Award Jury following bathing water quality tests and beach inspections carried out in 2016 and assessment of the beach management plans submitted by Clare County Council to An Taisce.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.