Eleven Blue Flags for Mayo beaches - a reduction of one

ELEVEN beaches in Mayo have been awarded Blue Flags.

Keel beach on Achill Island is celebrating its 37th consecutive year of Blue Flag status, having received the award every season since 1989.

However, the island has lost one of its flags, for Golden Strand, which is a Green Coast award recipient this year.

Mayo's Blue Flag beaches are: Bertra, Old Head, Clare Island, Elly Bay and Mullaghroe, Belmullet, Dooega, Dugort, Keel and Keem on Achill Island, Mulranny, and Ross beach, Killala.

Nine Green Coast awards have been given to Tránaun, Inishturk, Cross and Carrowniskey beaches, in Louisburgh, Srah, Termon, Cross, Erris Peninsula, Rinroe, Golden Strand, Achill Island, and Portacloy.

Awarded by An Taisce, the Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards. Beaches must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management during the bathing season.

The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Award sites are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.

An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with local authorities.