Wexford County Council has announced that the county has received eight Blue Flags, one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels and a mark of excellence for beaches and marinas.
Simon Coveney TD, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, presented the 2016 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at a ceremony in Dublin. Coveney presented 141 awards for beaches and marinas across 14 local authorities. The Blue Flag is awarded to beaches and marinas with excellent water quality that meet high standards across criteria including environmental education, environmental management, and safety.
Wexford retained all five Blue Flags awarded in 2015 and received a first-time Blue Flag for Ballymoney North Beach. The county council also retained the award for both of its marinas at Kilmore Quay and New Ross.
The full list of Wexford awards is as follows: Curracloe, Courtown, Morriscastle, Rosslare Strand, Ballinesker, and Ballymoney North Beach, along with Kilmore Quay Marina and New Ross Marina.
Wexford also received eight Green Coast Awards, retaining the flag at every site awarded last year. The Green Coast Award is given to beaches with excellent water quality that may be less developed and less populated than Blue Flag beaches.
The following locations in County Wexford received Green Coast Awards:
Old Bawn, Cahore, Culleton’s Gap, Ballyhealy, Ballymoney, Booley Bay, Grange, and St Helen’s Bay.
Speaking after the awards, Wexford County Council Director of Services John Carley thanked all those involved in maintaining the county’s beaches to the exacting standards required for the awards. He said these beaches continue to attract large visitor numbers to the county.
He also praised the work of Coastcare Volunteer Groups, who play an important role in achieving Green Coast Award status for Wexford’s beaches, stating that the award of a Green Coast Award “provides evidence of the dedication that individuals have to the improvement of their communities and surroundings.”