Council apply for Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards
The beach at Keem Bay is one of 12 in Mayo to have received Blue Flags in 2023.
Mayo County Council is confident that the county will retain 12 Blue Flags this year.
Blue Flags are awarded by An Taisce to beaches demonstrating high environmental standards with water quality deemed as ‘Excellent’ for four years or more.
Killian Farrell, from the council’s environment section, told last week’s meeting of the Environment Strategic Policy Committee (SPC) that the local authority has high hopes for retaining the 12 Blue Flags the county received last year, namely Dooega, Elly Bay, Keel, Keem, Mullaghroe, Mulranny, Ross - Killala, Silver Strand - Dugort, Golden Strand, Old Head, Bertra and Clare Island.
“We are confident that we can hold onto the 12 and we are looking to get more into the future once the water quality has been ‘Excellent’ for a sufficient time,” he said.
Mr Farrell noted that the council has also applied for Green Coast Awards for the following beaches: Cross - Belmullet, Portacloy, Srah, Termon, Tranaun on Inishturk Island, Rinroe, Cross - Louisburgh and Carrowniskey.
Cllr Peter Flynn said it is important that Carrowmore Beach in Louisburgh regains the Blue Flag it lost in 2022.
“It really is the only fly in the ointment," he said before asking about The Point at Westport Quay.
“It isn’t a beach but the Point is becoming very popular, we need to keep monitoring there."
