Grass is greener in Dublin as flags are awarded around the county

Several Dublin parks and community gardens have been awarded a Green Flag for 2021 – marking excellence in environmental standards and green space management.

Overall, Ireland has once again seen an increase in the number of flags awarded to 103, consisting of 84 formal public Green Flag Park sites, along with 19 volunteer run Green Community Sites.

The Green Heritage Site Accreditation was also rolled out in Ireland this year seven sites being awarded a Green Flag.

A Green Heritage Site Accreditation is awarded to public green spaces of historical and cultural significance.

Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage; Malcolm Noonan, commended the Green Heritage Accreditation and offered the following statement of support: “I am delighted that the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department supports and co-funds the Green Heritage Site Accreditation Programme.

“This scheme is a welcome and important complement to the existing Green Flag Award.

The Green Heritage Accreditation widens the pool of sites that can participate in the programme and highlights the multifaceted nature of our green spaces.

“The scheme brings together the human and natural aspect of a place.

“It celebrates best practice in engagement with multi-layered heritage and reminds us all of our responsibility to appreciate and preserve richness and diversity of the green spaces that surround us”.

Sites located within of the four Dublin county councils were awarded 29 green flags, including 11 in Dublin City Council, seven in Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, six in Fingal County Council, and five in South Dublin County Council.

“Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions – the Green Flag Award Scheme is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world,” according to An Taisce.

Community-ran gardens in Dublin were also awarded two flags, both of which are located in Fingal – Santry Community Garden and the Rock Garden.

John Kelleher, a volunteer at the Santry Community Garden, which is located in Santry Demesne Public Park is a “valuable community resource which is underutilised and is probably the “best kept secret” in North Dublin.

“The outdoor opportunities for the public as volunteers or as visitors in this almost three acres of a historic walled garden in these difficult times are precious.”

The Minister of State for Community Development and Charities; Joe O’Brien said in a statement: “Since 2018 the Department of Rural and Community Development has supported An Taisce with the expansion of the Green Flag into our community run spaces.

“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.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard work put in by park staff, and community volunteers, across the country.

“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.”

This year over 2,300 public sites in 16 countries around the world have achieved Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award status.

This year participating countries include; Australia, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.