Old Head and Ross Strand beaches lose Blue Flag status

Mayo loses two of its blue flag beaches


Rowan Gallagher

MAYO beaches have lost two Blue Flags as a result of falling below water quality standards.
Killala Ross Strand and Louisburgh, Oldhead lost out this year and are no longer regarded as safe to bathe in under EU guidelines.
The amount of beaches awarded the Blue Flag this year is at a 10 year low with only 76 beaches getting the go-ahead, a net loss of one flag.
The Blue Flag is an international award for beach excellence which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce with support from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
The Minister for the Environment, Mr John Gormley expressed confidence that sustained Government investment will lead to improvements in water quality in the coming years.
“The net loss in Blue Flags is disappointing but I would like to congratulate the successful candidates especially the five new candidates that made the cut,” said Mr Gormley.
The Green Coast awards have increased this year and are given to beaches that meet  a high standard but are in effect more rural and less developed than the Blue Flag eligible beaches.
Cork saw an increase of two beaches along with Fingal and Kerry gaining one beach each.
Mayo and Galway were the biggest loses this year both losing two flags each, with Wicklow also losing one Blue Flag.
Mayo in now home to eleven Blue Flags and five Green Coast awards with Achill taking a total of five Blue Flag awards for separate beaches.
An Taisce and the Environmental Protection Agency have made available details on the quality of water online.
The Minister encouraged the viewing of these results at the award ceremony at Portmarnock.
“As a committed sea swimmer myself, I am delighted to see this facility come on-stream. The provision of accurate information about bathing water sites will be of great benefit to the public,” said Mr Gormley.