Ten strands get Blue Flag Status
12 June 1996
Mayo has Europe's top beaches
By TOM GILLESPIE
MAYO has the best beaches in Europe -- and that's official.
The region has been allocated ten Blue Flags, donating that the strands are maintained at the highest environmnetal standasrds.Not alone has Mayo the most Blue Flag beaches in Ireland but according to the monitoring committe we have the greatest number of all the eighteen countires which participate in the EU scheme.
Last year Mayo achieved a similar number of Blue Flags and in 1994 nine areas received the status.
The coastal locations where the prestigious Blue Flags will fly for this season are decided on strict guidelines. These involve water quality, coastal quality, litter, beach management, toilet facilities, life-saving as well as public information.
The Mayo beaches are located at Louisburgh: (Carrowmore, Old Head); Murrisk: (Bertra); Mulranny; Achill: (Keel, Keem, Dugort, Golden Strand); Belmullet: (Mullaghroe)and Killala: (Ross).
Mayo County Council who are responsible for maintaining the beaches are delighted with the 1996 achievement.
County Manager, Mr. Des Mahon said the Blue Flag awards were an indication of the excellent quality of the seaside locations in the county.
He said: "Since the introduction of the scheme in 1985 we have been consistently tops in the country. In that period we have always achieved the greatest number of first class unpolluted beaches in all of the Ireland."
Council chairman, Mr. John Flannery added: "The work of the council in maintaining the quality of our beaches has now been recognised internationally."
The Environmental and Water Safety officer with Mayo County Council, Mr. Michael Gavin said an awareness of the high quality of Mayo beaches was essential if, in the coming years, they were to achieve even greater recognition.
He said: "Constant monitoring is vital if we are to maintain our place as the county with the cleanest beaches in the country.
"To be granted ten Blue Flags is an indication of the fine pollution-free, well serviced and well sign-posted beaches that we have in Mayo."
He said the council welcomed the assistance of local communities in keeping the beaches clean and litter-free.
Meanwhile, Tourism and Trade Minister, Mr. Enda Kenny has welcomed the achievement as a "great honour and a strong selling point" for Mayo.
He said: "I hope that the tourism industry people from our county will promote it. This is what international visitors look for."
He said there were strict conditions laid down to achieve the honour of Blue Flag status. They were well merited awards.
He added: " It is very strongly held in the minds of Europeans, in
particular, that these are safe and clean places to bathe. Ten is a
significant number and it is something we can be proud of in Mayo. I intend
to use this as a selling point in my dealings as Minister for Tourism."
Connaught Telegraph - News - June 1996
Connaught Telegraph - Sport - June 1996
