Below is a map of Mayo's Beaches, 11 of which are Blue Flag certified.
The 31st anniversary of the Blue Flag Awards which began in France in 1987 took place on 21st May 2018 at The Martello Hotel, Bray Co. Wicklow. Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, presented the 2018 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at a ceremony A total of 149 awards were presented for beaches and marinas at 144 sites around the country with 5 sites receiving both the Blue Flag and Green Coast Award.
Of the 83 Blue Flags and 59 Green Coasts awarded, Mayo has received 12 Blue Flags for the following beaches:
Elly Bay Mullaghroe Golden Strand Clare Island
Dugort Keel Carrowmore Dooega
Keem Bertra Mulranny Ross
with the 7 Green Coasts awarded to:
Carrowniskey Cross, Belmullet
Termon Srah Portacloy
Silver Strand, Inisturk (first year)
Blue Flag Background
The Blue Flag scheme for beaches has been one of the main drivers for better quality bathing waters over the last 31 years because it provides an instantly recognisable badge of high status for beaches. The campaign which flies in 46 countries worldwide aims to raise awareness and promote good environmental behaviour among visitors to the beaches and best practice among beach and marina management and staff.
The criteria required to attain Blue Flag status are designed to work with the legislation in each country. This ensures that the legislation is being followed, or in some cases, the Blue Flag sets a higher benchmark than that which already exists. The Blue Flag inIrelandis administered by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (F.E.E.).
An application for each beach must be made every year by the authority managing the beach. An international jury then decides if the beach merits the award which is decided upon by meeting the following criteria:-
(a) Water Quality
(b) Environmental Information and education
(c) Safety and Services
(d) Environmental management
(a) Water Quality
Water sampling for this season commenced on 22nd May 2018. Sampling will continue over the bathing season which runs from the beginning of June to the end August. The results are publicised on the notice boards situated at each beach.
(b) Environmental Education & Information
(c) Safety & Services
(d) Environmental Management & Facilities
Green Coast Background
The Green Coast Award acknowledges beaches which meet EC bathing water quality standards, but which are also prized for their natural, unspoiled environment. A "natural, unspoilt environment" means that the special character of such a beach may not be compatible with the level of infrastructure and intensive management generally associated with more urban, traditional seaside resort beaches. Green Coast Award beaches demonstrate clean water and sound environmental management
The Award is objective-led, which encourages 'best practice' in management of rural beaches and emphasises community involvement in their management.
Clean Coasts is a coastal environmental programme where voluntary ‘Coastcare groups’ organise coastal clean ups, eliminate ‘eyesores’, improve facilities, report incidents and tackle environmental problems both small and large. These groups along with this Council manage stretches of Co. Mayo coastline very efficiently.
The Green Coast Award, rolled out in 2008 is designed to complement the Blue Flag programme. Clean Coasts is a coastal environmental programme, where voluntary 'Coastcare groups' organise coastal clean ups, eliminate 'eyesores' and report incidents.
MAYO COUNTY COUNCIL - CODE OF CONDUCT FOR THIS BEACH
Formats Available:
Beach Bye Laws for Mayo
Formats Available:
Blue Flag Beaches for 2016 identified on Map
Formats Available:
Green Coast Beaches identified in 2016 - Map of Ireland
Formats Available:
Environment Section
Second Floor
Mayo County Council
The Mall
Castlebar
Co Mayo
Phone: (094) 9024444
Email: environment@mayococo.ie
Open: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Greening Mayo
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