Seven beaches in County Galway have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award with a further six beaches receiving the coveted Green Coast Award for 2024.
At a national awards ceremony held at the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill today (Monday, 20 May 2024), An Taisce awarded Blue Flags to Long Point at Loughrea Lake, Portumna bathing area, Trá Inis Oirr, Trá an Dóilín in An Cheathrú Rua, An Trá Mhór in Indreabhán and Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh in Inis Mór. In a major boost to the local community and tourism sector in Kinvara, Traught beach has regained its Blue Flag having lost its status in 2022.
Blue Flags are awarded to bathing areas that meet excellent water quality standards and provide various amenities, including lifeguards and toilet facilities.
Six locations have received Green Coast Awards, which recognise bathing areas with excellent water quality and good quality protected environments in scenic unspoiled locations. The locations include Trá Inis Oirr and Trá Poll na gCaorach on Inis Oirr, East End and Dumhach on Inishbofin, Aillebrack, Ballyconneely and Renvyle Beach (Tully).
“County Galway’s beaches have renowned for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty, and we are delighted that once again so many of them have received the coveted Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards,” commented Cllr. Liam Carroll, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway.
He continued, “These awards are a testament to the hard work and dedication of those who clean our beaches. I am particularly happy to see that Traught beach has regained its Blue Flag which will be very much welcomed by the local community.”
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council stated, “These awards let our citizens and people around the world know that County Galway is open for business and that our beaches are clean, well-managed and safe to enjoy. We are grateful to the staff in Area Offices, Community Wardens, and all the volunteers and beach clean groups for all their hard work and dedication in ensuring our coastline is kept clean.”
Eileen Ruane, Director of Services, Environment Section said, “These awards are a credit to the collective efforts of Galway County Council staff, volunteers, residents, and businesses who have worked tirelessly to maintain, protect, and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag can be assured the beach will be clean, safe, and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards and visitors to a beach flying a Green Flag can be assured that the water is of excellent standard.”
