Stunning Seapoint retains its Blue Flag

STUNNING Seapoint has achieved its highest rating for water quality this year.

The beautiful Southside beach, as well as its neighbour Killiney, retained its coveted Blue Flag status in the latest awards.

Portmarnock and Balcarrick beach in Donabate were the other Dublin winners among the total of 85 International Blue Flag and 56 National Green Coast Awards won by ireland.

A total of 141 awards were presented by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Simon Coveney, at an awards ceremony held on the Velvet Strand, Portmarnock.

Speaking at the awards Minister Coveney said that in Ireland, we are particularly fortunate to have a varied and beautiful coastline with many pristine beaches that are open to the public to enjoy.

“However, we cannot rest on our laurels and must continue to make strident efforts to protect and improve our waters,” he warned.

“This will ensure that we, and future generations, can continue to enjoy this wonderful resource.”

Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards Manager at An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit paid tribute to the local authorities and marina operators for their efforts in ensuring that the sites being awarded for the 2016 bathing season have achieved the excellent standards required by the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards.

A total of 79 Irish beaches and six marinas have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award for the 2016 bathing season.

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels.

In order to qualify, beaches must attain what is known as “guideline” water quality.

The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental practices and behaviours among beach and marina users.

The Irish beaches and marinas that achieved this accolade met a specific set of criteria related to water quality, information provision and environmental education.