Ross and Old Head regain blue flag status

Ross and Old Head regain blue flag status


Anton McNulty

TWO Mayo beaches have regained their Blue Flag status to bring Mayo’s contingent of blue flag beaches back up to 13 - the joint highest number in the country.
Old Head beach in Louisburgh and Ross Strand near Killala both lost their Blue Flag status in 2010 but were named among the record number of 82 beaches to receive the prestigious awards. Mayo now has 13 Blue Flag beaches and along with Kerry has the greatest number of Blue Flags in the country.
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 Mayo beaches awarded Blue Flag status for 2011 are Bertra, Carrowmore, Clare Island, Mulranny, Dooega, Dugort, Keem Bay, Keel, Golden Strand, Elly Bay, Mullaghroe, Ross and Old Head.
The re-inclusion of the two Mayo beaches follows a national trend with eight more flags awarded this year than in 2010.
The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan made the announcement of the awards on Curracloe beach, Co Wexford and congratulated the teams responsible for the maintenance of the beaches.
“This increase is very welcome and is due to the combined efforts of the Local Authorities and coastal communities on the ground as well as those in the wider catchment who are playing their part in working to improve water quality,” he said.