More than 100 Irish parks awarded international Green Flag

More than 100 Irish parks and public green spaces won an international Green Flag Award this year, the second highest number of awards in the world.

In total, 103 sites were awarded a Green Flag. Eighty-four of these sites are formal public parks and 19 sites are volunteer-run community green sites.

Ireland was second only to the UK in the number of awards received, and the scheme originated there in 1996.

Three of the award-winning parks were also given an additional Pollinator Plan Award.

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This award is given to spaces that made an effort to support their local pollinating insects.

Kilbarry Nature Park, operated by Waterford City and County Council, was the overall winner in this category. This nature park is located on an old, rehabilitated landfill site. It also took first place in the town park category.

The Ballycroy visitor centre in the Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo won the country park category.

Julianstown Community Garden in Co Meath was deemed the best community-led initiative.

Castletown House and Parklands in Co Kildare, Maynooth University’s campus and Saint Anne’s Park in Co Dublin won the highly commended/special award category.

Accreditation

Seven of the green-flag sites were also given the new green heritage accreditation standard.

This type of accreditation is awarded to public green spaces with historical and cultural significance.

In order to win a Green Flag, parks and green spaces are assessed by a team of trained volunteer judges, who examine horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.

Public town parks, country parks, gardens, cemeteries, nature parks and green spaces are eligible for the award.

This year, more than 2,300 public sites in 16 countries achieved Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award status.

Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Joe O’Brien said that since 2018, community-run green spaces have been eligible for a Green Flag.

“By doing this we have been able to leverage the Green Flag Award values and standards for the benefit of our communities and their voluntary work.

Mr O’Brien thanked park staff and community volunteers for their hard work in securing the awards.

“Not only in achieving this Green Flag success for Ireland today, but in maintaining the many parks, gardens, and greens across the country for our mutual benefit. It is a great credit that they largely remained open and well managed at this difficult time.”