14/06/2010
Six Beaches Lose Blue Flag Accolade
Six Irish beaches have lost their blue flag status according to the 2010 list of Blue Flag-approved beaches published by An Taisce, however, five others have regained their accolade.
Beaches that lost their flags were Brittas Bay South, Co Wicklow; Ross and Oldhead, Co Mayo; Traught and Ceibh an Spidéal, Co Galway and Mullaghmore, Co Sligo.
The beaches that regained theirs were Maherabeg, Co Kerry; Claycastle and Redbarn, Co Cork; Rosses Point, Co Sligo and Portmarnock in north Dublin.
Beaches approved for a blue flag have met criteria related to water quality, environmental education and beach management.
A total of 76 bathing areas around the country secured the title, the lowest number since 2000 when 72 flags were awarded. Co Kerry topped the list with 13 blue flags.
An additional six beaches received the National Green Coast Award for 2010. These awards go to beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. They do not need to have the built infrastructure required for Blue Flag status.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the loss of a blue flag this year was disappointing but he highlighted the fact that five new beaches were awarded the status. He said he was confident that sustained Government investment will lead to improvements in water quality in coming years.
(BMcC/GK)
Beaches that lost their flags were Brittas Bay South, Co Wicklow; Ross and Oldhead, Co Mayo; Traught and Ceibh an Spidéal, Co Galway and Mullaghmore, Co Sligo.
The beaches that regained theirs were Maherabeg, Co Kerry; Claycastle and Redbarn, Co Cork; Rosses Point, Co Sligo and Portmarnock in north Dublin.
Beaches approved for a blue flag have met criteria related to water quality, environmental education and beach management.
A total of 76 bathing areas around the country secured the title, the lowest number since 2000 when 72 flags were awarded. Co Kerry topped the list with 13 blue flags.
An additional six beaches received the National Green Coast Award for 2010. These awards go to beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. They do not need to have the built infrastructure required for Blue Flag status.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the loss of a blue flag this year was disappointing but he highlighted the fact that five new beaches were awarded the status. He said he was confident that sustained Government investment will lead to improvements in water quality in coming years.
(BMcC/GK)
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23 May 2013
13 Irish Beaches Lose Blue Flag Awards
New tougher EU water quality standards have resulted in 13 of Ireland’s beaches losing their Blue Flag status. Ireland received 74 Blue Flags, down from 87 last year. Another 12 beaches lost their Green Coast award.
13 Irish Beaches Lose Blue Flag Awards
New tougher EU water quality standards have resulted in 13 of Ireland’s beaches losing their Blue Flag status. Ireland received 74 Blue Flags, down from 87 last year. Another 12 beaches lost their Green Coast award.
08 June 2012
Record Number Of Beaches Receive Blue Flag Award
A record number of Irish beaches have received prestigious Blue Flag awards. 87 awards, three more than last year, have been handed out for this summer with Donegal, Mayo and Kerry having the biggest number of top swimming spots, notching up 13 each.
Record Number Of Beaches Receive Blue Flag Award
A record number of Irish beaches have received prestigious Blue Flag awards. 87 awards, three more than last year, have been handed out for this summer with Donegal, Mayo and Kerry having the biggest number of top swimming spots, notching up 13 each.
07 August 2014
Swimming Bans Extended Pending Further Tests
A Fingal County Council order for the public to not swim at 12 popular beaches has been extended after further water quality tests. The Council issued the notice at the beginning of the week, saying that heavy rains had caused an overflow at waste water treatment plants, with the untreated water flowing back out to sea.
Swimming Bans Extended Pending Further Tests
A Fingal County Council order for the public to not swim at 12 popular beaches has been extended after further water quality tests. The Council issued the notice at the beginning of the week, saying that heavy rains had caused an overflow at waste water treatment plants, with the untreated water flowing back out to sea.
29 July 2013
Swimmer Attacked By Dolphin In Co Clare
A swimmer in Co Clare has become the fourth person to be injured by a dolphin who has been in the area of Doolin pier since 2011. The female bottlenose dolphin, known as 'Dusty', charged a woman as she left the water after a nighttime swim. The woman was hit in the kidney area and left winded. It is understood she was left badly bruised.
Swimmer Attacked By Dolphin In Co Clare
A swimmer in Co Clare has become the fourth person to be injured by a dolphin who has been in the area of Doolin pier since 2011. The female bottlenose dolphin, known as 'Dusty', charged a woman as she left the water after a nighttime swim. The woman was hit in the kidney area and left winded. It is understood she was left badly bruised.
07 April 2010
Charge Over Fatal Flag Fracas
A man has been charged in the North with the attempted murder of Damien Fleming, who was seriously injured during sectarian violence in Coleraine, Co Londonderry last year. Catholic Kevin McDaid was killed when trouble flared on the Somerset Drive estate over the erecting of Nationalist flags.
Charge Over Fatal Flag Fracas
A man has been charged in the North with the attempted murder of Damien Fleming, who was seriously injured during sectarian violence in Coleraine, Co Londonderry last year. Catholic Kevin McDaid was killed when trouble flared on the Somerset Drive estate over the erecting of Nationalist flags.
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Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.