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08/06/2012
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.
However, five beaches either lost their Blue Flags or failed to regain them for a range of problems including cattle on the beach.
Safety concerns caused Malahide to lose out due to a permanent red flag flying during the summer warning people not to swim because of drowning dangers.
And Mullaghmore in Sligo lost out because of the continuing problem of cattle roaming on the beach making it "unsafe" for visitors, according to An Taisce, which administers the EU-wide awards.
Improvements in water quality led to Dollymount regaining its Blue Flag after losing it in 2011, while Downings in Donegal received one for the first time since 1999.
A total of 58 Blue Coast awards were also made. These spots do not reach Blue Flag standard because of the lack of proper built infrastructure.
Presenting the awards in Portmarnock, Dublin, yesterday Environment Minister Phil Hogan said he was pleased that Dollymount regained its flag.
"A capital city holding a blue flag is a truly significant achievement," he said.
(H)
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.
However, five beaches either lost their Blue Flags or failed to regain them for a range of problems including cattle on the beach.
Safety concerns caused Malahide to lose out due to a permanent red flag flying during the summer warning people not to swim because of drowning dangers.
And Mullaghmore in Sligo lost out because of the continuing problem of cattle roaming on the beach making it "unsafe" for visitors, according to An Taisce, which administers the EU-wide awards.
Improvements in water quality led to Dollymount regaining its Blue Flag after losing it in 2011, while Downings in Donegal received one for the first time since 1999.
A total of 58 Blue Coast awards were also made. These spots do not reach Blue Flag standard because of the lack of proper built infrastructure.
Presenting the awards in Portmarnock, Dublin, yesterday Environment Minister Phil Hogan said he was pleased that Dollymount regained its flag.
"A capital city holding a blue flag is a truly significant achievement," he said.
(H)
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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.
14 June 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.
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.
16 June 2008
Dublin Cleans Up Its Act
A survey on Dublin's litter has found cleanliness in the city has improved noticeably, and, along with almost 60% of Irish towns, it is deemed 'clean' to European levels. The survey results show a marked improvement over recent years, with Dublin now ranked 16th place out of the 55 areas surveyed.
Dublin Cleans Up Its Act
A survey on Dublin's litter has found cleanliness in the city has improved noticeably, and, along with almost 60% of Irish towns, it is deemed 'clean' to European levels. The survey results show a marked improvement over recent years, with Dublin now ranked 16th place out of the 55 areas surveyed.
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.
