28 May 1997
Mayo's golden beaches are the best in Europe --- and that's official.
By Tom Gillespie
The county is expected to be allocated THIRTEEN Blue Flags next week, the highest ever achieved by any area.
Last year ten strands were deemed to merit the Blue Flag status, donating they were maintained at the highest environmental standards.
Not alone had Mayo the most Blue Flag beaches in Ireland in 1996, but according to the monitoring committee we had the greatest number of all the eighteen countries which participated in the EU backed scheme.
Now with the expectation of a further three Blue Flags -- for Dooega (Achill), Elly Bay (Belmullet) and Clare Island, the country's first off-shore location to be awarded the accolade -- Mayo will top the European beaches league.
The coastal locations where the prestigious Blue Flags will fly 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 other Mayo beaches to be included ion the scheme are located at Louisburgh (Carramore, Old Head); Murrisk (Bertra); Mulranny; Achill: (Keel, Keem, Dugort, Golden Strand); Belmullet: (Mullaghroe) and Killala (Ross).
Mayo County Council are responsible for maintaining the beaches and according to County Secretary, Mr. Padraig Hughes, when contacted yesterday (Tuesday), acknowledged that 13 applications had bee submitted which included Dooega, Elly Bay and Clare Island.
He was hopeful of additional Blue Flags for the county but stressed there was no indication, as yet, from the adjudicators.
The details will be officially announced on June 5.
Mr. Hughes 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 Ireland.
"We have submitted a further three beaches for consideration under the scheme this year and we are hopeful that they, too, will be up to the standard."
