Record number of 84 'Blue Flags' awarded

A record number of the State's bathing areas and marinas have been awarded "Blue Flag" status this year.

In total, 81 bathing areas and three marinas have been awarded the eco-label which is given to

approximately 3,000 locations in 28 countries in the northern hemisphere each year. That total beat last year's benchmark by two.

The most notable inclusion this year is that of Salthill, Co Galway, which has not figured on the list since 1997, despite being a hugely popular tourist destination.

Another high profile beach in the west to return to the list was White Strand, Doonbeg, Co Clare, which lost its status last year.

Wexford has also had its status as a safe bathing location reinstated after the disappointment of none its beaches making the grade last year. Courtown, Curracloe, Rosslare and Duncannon have all made the list.

Controversy surrounded the 2005 decision, after Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said he had been assured by local authorities that their water samples were "within the quality standards required for a blue flag".

Overall, 96 per cent of Irish coastal bathing areas comply with mandatory EU values while 91 per cent, an increase from 88 per cent in 2004, comply with the stricter aspirational "guide values".

The Blue Flag campaign is co-ordinated in Ireland by An Taisce- The National Trust for Ireland, with support from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.

Salthill's omission from the list was seen as a direct result of the discharging raw sewage into the water in recent years, but a scheme called the Galway Main Drainage Scheme, opened in 2004 and has brought about a "marked improvement" in water quality, according to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche.

Mr Roche was speaking today at the conferring of the Blue Flags in Salthill.

Of some concern to Clare County Council, is the presence of algal blooms at Mounthshannon and Ballycuggeran on Lough Derg. Algal blooms rarely occur on seawater, and so do not affect many of the areas tested, but their presence on the lake at these two locations has made them "unsuitable" for bathing.

Sean Ward, Senior Engineer, Environment Section, Clare County Council, said today that the "loss of Blue Flags at the two Lough Derg beaches is disappointing but that the council will continue to test the water at these beaches to ensure that the bacterial quality remains up to the required standards.

The criteria for the award of Blue Flags, which are determined by the Foundation for Environmental Education, a non-Governmental organisation, relate to water quality, facilities for visitors, beach management including litter control, environmental information and display facilities.

LOUTH - 2: Shellinghill/Templetown Port

CLARE - 6: Cappa Pier, Kilkee, WhiteStrand/Miltown Malbay, Fanore, Doonbeg, Lahinch

DUBLIN CITY - 1: Dollymount

DUN LAOGHAIRE/RATHDOWN - 2: Killiney, Seapoint

FINGAL - 3

Donabate, Malahide, Portrane

GALWAY COUNTY- 5

Loughrea Lake, Traught Trá an Doilín, Cill Muirbthe-Inis Mór, Trá Mhór, Coill Rua

GALWAY CITY - 2Silverstrand, Salthill

KERRY-13

Ballinskelligs, Rossbeigh, Derrynane, Whitestrand/Caherciveen, Kells Bay, Ventry (Ceann Trá), Magherabeg, Banna, Fenit, Ballyheigue, Ballybunion Nth,

Ballybunion Sth, Inch

MAYO -13

Old Head, Bertra, Carrowmore, Elly Beach, Keem, Doogort, Golden Strand, Keel, Killala/Ross, Dooega, Mulranny, Clare Island, Mullaghroe

WATERFORD - 3

Clonea, Bonmahon, Dunmore East

CORK - 10

Barleycove, Tragumna, Owenahincha, The Warren, Garretstown, Garrylucas, Inchydoney, Youghal, Front Strand, Garryvoe, Youghal, Claycastle

SLIGO - 3

Enniscrone, Rosses Point, Mullaghmore

DONEGAL - 11Rossknowlagh, Fintra, Portsalon, Narin-Portnoo, Carrickfinn, Stroove, Bundoran, Marble Hill, Culdaff, Lisfannon, Murvagh

WEXFORD - 4

Courtown, Curracloe, Rosslare, Duncannon

WICKLOW - 3

Brittas Bay North, Brittas Bay South, Greystones

MARINAS - 3: Wexford - Kilmore Quay; Westmeath - Killinure Point & Athlone.