Tag Archives: Blue Flag

The Blue Flag is flying over Lahinch Beach once again today as an advisory notice, placed on the popular North Clare tourism hotspot earlier this week, was lifted this morning. Following additional tests carried out on the water quality in Liscannor Bay, Clare County Council, acting in accordance to HSE advice, has lifted the advisory notice. Several notices were put in place on the Lahinch Prominade earlier this week, warning beach users about possible issues with the water quality. However, at no time was there a full swimming ban in place. This restriction was introduced after the results of routine bathing water samples showed elevated levels of bacteria in the water. Run-off from the catchment area of the Inagh River and Liscannor Bay, following exceptionally heavy rainfall in recent days, is one possible cause for the elevated levels of bacteria in the water. This is the latest in a series of advisory notices which have been put in place on …

Swimmers who use two popular bathing areas in West Clare have received a timely boost following the lifting of bathing prohibitions introduced earlier this week. Following additional investigative sampling and on the advice of the HSE, Clare County Council lifted the bathing prohibitions at both Spanish Point and White Strand Miltown Malbay on Friday morning. In accordance with An Taisce’s Blue Flag programme, the Blue Flags at both bathing areas were reinstated.   On the advice of the HSE, Clare County Council issued bathing prohibitions at both Spanish Point and White Strand Miltown Malbay on Tuesday. The red flag flew at Spanish Point until it was removed again on Friday morning. The restrictions were introduced as the results of routine bathing water samples taken at both locations had elevated levels of bacteria.   Run-off from the catchment after exceptionally heavy rainfall resulted in elevated levels of bacteria being identified in the water.   In accordance with An Taisce’s Blue Flag …

ALL NINE Blue Flag beaches managed by Clare County Council have retained their prestigious status for the 2021 bathing season. Kilrush Marina retains the Blue Flag status awarded last year. The four Clare beaches that received the Green Coast Award have also retained the award for the coming season. At a virtual ceremony on Tuesday (May 25), An Taisce revealed the list of Blue Flag Beaches and Marinas for 2021, which includes Ballycuggeran, Killaloe; Cappagh Pier, Kilrush; Fanore; Kilkee; Lahinch; Mountshannon; Spanish Point; White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay. On the latest list for the Green Coast Awards are Seafield, Quilty; Bishop’s Quarter, Ballyvaughan; Ballyallia Lake, Ennis; and Carrigaholt Beach. 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 …

A do not swim notice has been issued today (Saturday) for Kilkee beach after a discharge of wastewater into the sea. On the advice of the HSE and in the interest of public safety, the public has been advised not to swim. The annual Kilkee Bay Swim was due to take place this weekend. The Blue Flag has been removed from Kilkee beach and has been replaced by red flags.      

Clare County Council will provide updates on conditions at the county’s Blue Flag beaches on its Twitter and Facebook accounts from Saturday next. The updates will feature latest sea, water quality and weather conditions, as well as tide in and tide out times for Ballycuggeran (Killaloe), Cappa, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point, Whitestrand Doonbeg and Whitestrand Miltown Malbay. The updates coincide with the commencement of lifeguard cover at County Clare beaches this June Bank Holiday Weekend. Lifeguard cover will be provided at Clare’s Blue Flag beaches from 11.00am to 7.00pm this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cover will continue on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of June, while there will be full-time time cover at these locations as well as at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan) and Seafield Quilty during the months of July and August and the first two weekends of September.

Clare County Council, on the advice of the HSE, has today (Friday) lifted restrictions relating to public bathing at Kilkee’s Blue Flag beach. The council confirmed the results of water sampling tests carried out on Thursday show the water is clean. The prohibition on bathing at Kilkee was introduced on Wednesday afternoon after the results of routine tests on water samples at the beach highlighted bacterial contamination. “On the advice of the HSE and following analysis of water samples, the council is happy to be able to announce the lifting of all restrictions relating to bathing at Kilkee,” commented Paul Moroney, senior engineer, environment section. “Public notices indicating bathing water restrictions are being removed while the Blue Flag will be flying at Kilkee beach this weekend.Clare County Council would like to thank the public for their understanding and cooperation over the past two days,” Mr Moroney added.

An Taisce has awarded a record nine prestigious International Blue Flag to County Clare’s beaches, as well as two Green Coast Awards. The Blue Flag award is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to more than 80 beaches and a small number of marinas in Ireland.   The award represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management and safety, services and facilities. The Flags were presented  by Alan Kelly TD. Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government, at a ceremony held at Ballinskelligs Beach in Kerry. Blue Flags were awarded to Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggernan, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Speaking following the award ceremony, Councillor John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, expressed his delighted that Clare had for the first time been awarded 9 blue flags, as well as Green Coast Awards for beaches at Bishops Quarter at Ballyvaughan and Seafield, Quilty. Councillor Crowe also noted the significance of Clare’s …

The Hell of the West may be the title of the testing triathlon in Kilkee but the the 30th annual event over the weekend was staged in heavenly conditions Organised by Limerick Triathlon Club, The Hell of the West is the longest running triathlon race in the country and this year was part of the Triathlon Ireland National Championship race. More than 1, 100 competitions took part and there was also a very large crowd of spectators at the beach, as well as other strategic vantage point along the route. The overall winner was Aaaron O’Brien, from Charles Maltha and Mark Horan, while the first lady home was Carolyn Hayes, ahead of Katie Cooke and Joyce Wolfe. The event brought welcome boost for Kilkee business over the weekend.