Green Flag awards for top Mayo parks and gardens

MAYO'S reputation for having some of the country's top parks and gardens has been reaffirmed with the announcement of this year's Green Flag award winners.

International accreditation for park excellence in Ireland has jumped again this year, in a season which has seen massive park visitor increases everywhere.

Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions, the Green Flag Award for Parks is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.

Mayo County Council picked up two awards, for the Jackie Clarke Collection Heritage and Garden and Turlough Park, the National Parks and Wildlife Service saw Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park receive an award, and North Mayo Heritage Centre was awarded for Enniscoe.

There were three Green Flag Community Award winners in Mayo - Ballina Karen Community Garden, Ballyhaunis Community Garden, and Kilmaine Community Garden.

The amenities maintained by community groups were acknowledged for the excellence of their volunteer run community green spaces.

Said Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien: “This year we have appreciated the importance of the public parks and gardens within our communities probably more than at any other time. They have supported us all in maintaining a significant quality of life during restrictions, uncertainty, and upset.

“Without our public parks and gardens our lives would have been much further reduced and confined.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard work put in by park staff, and community volunteers, across the country. Not only in achieving this Green Flag success for Ireland, but in maintaining the many parks, gardens, and greens across the country for our mutual benefit. It is a great credit that they largely remained open and well managed at this difficult time.”

The Green Flag Awards are judged against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement.

“I think that now our public parks are more valued than ever it is time to start appreciating them as investments in the future. Any funding spent on parks is repaid by them in terms of our quality of life, health, and happiness. They also provide us with the ability to adapt to the unexpected in an increasingly urban environment, and uncertain world,” said Robert Moss, the Green Flag Award for Parks manager for the Republic of Ireland.