Dip-dip-hooray Three Northside beaches retain their Blue Flag status

The Northside has retained its three Blue Flags for 2023. The strands at Rush, Donabate and Portmarnock were among 94 Irish beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2023.

The recipients were announced by environmental organisation An Taisce. A total of 159 awards –including 65 beaches awarded the Green Coast Award – were presented by Minister for housing Darragh O’Brien on Donabate beach.

“During its 36 years, the

Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety,” Minister O’Brien said.

“Today’s high number of awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the local authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and other volunteers around the country.”

Some 81 of the 85 beaches and all 10 marinas awarded last year have retained Blue Flag status.

Three extra beaches in Mayo are included this year, Bertra, Clare Island and Old head, which it was awarded for the first time since 2012.

The Blue Flag is administered in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for environmental education.

The aim of the Green Coast Award, now in its 20th year, is to recognise beaches of high environmental quality.

Three more Green Coast Awards for Carrowniskey Beach, Co Mayo, Bettystown, Co Meath and Rosslare harbour Beach in Co Wexford, were awarded this year compared to 2022. Meanwhile, Swimmers at Front Strand Beach in Balbriggan have been advised against bathing after the beach was hit with another all-season restriction for the summer.

The water quality at Front Strand Beach is one of three in the country to have “poor” bathing water quality, where swimmers are advised not to swim for the entire season.

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Northside retains its Blue Flags

Continued from previous page Inspections by the ePA, published last week, revealed the beach was polluted with sewage discharge, faeces from dogs, birds and other animals and contaminated surface streams flowing through the town.

Front Strand Beach was also rated “poor” by the ePA in 2021. An All-Season Restriction has been placed on the beach advising of a potential risk of illness. however, it is not a ban on swimming or a closure of the beach. The assessment was based on the last four years of bathing water quality data.

While the advisory is in place, the council said lifeguards will remain on the beach and a red flag will not be raised unless there is a need to advise bathers of a specific water safety issue.

Officials from Fingal County Council met with swimmers to outline the steps it has taken to tackle the recurring issue.