By Dan Walsh
Wexford County Council retains Blue Flag status for five beaches and both marinas awarded in 2020, however, Ballymoney North Beach awarded in 2020 has not retained Blue Flag status for the 2021 season.
The beach has been classified as achieving a Good Water Quality rating in 2020 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2017 to 2020. Excellent water quality classification is the standard required of beach applicants to achieve Blue Flag status. Wexford has received more Blue Flags and Green Coast Awards than any other county in Leinster.
BLUE FLAG BEACHES AND MARINAS 2021; Ballinesker Beach, Curracloe, Morriscastle, Rosslare Strand, Carne, Kilmore Quay Marina and New Ross Marina.
GREEN COAST AWARD BEACHES 2021; Grange, Cullenstown Strand, St. Helen’s Bay, Ballyhealy, Booley Bay, Cahore Point Beach, Culleton’s Gap, Old Bawn Beach and Baginbun Beach.
The Blue Flag and Green Coast Award sites for 2021 were announced by Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards Manager with An Taisce’s Environmental Education unit this morning (Tuesday) in a virtual awards ceremony attended by Local Authorities, marina operators and Clean Coasts groups who volunteer at the beaches receiving Green Coast Awards this year.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien said; “I want to offer my sincere congratulations to each of the communities who have won these most prized awards. Winning a Blue Flag or a Green Coast award is a collective effort with local authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and other volunteers on the ground all playing their part.”
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