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10th June 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 21 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Blue Flag Boost For Tourism The news that four North County beaches have regained their blue flag status that had been lost, is being widely seen as a major boost to local tourism, which is already showing signs of recovery. The general consensus is that it will now be easier to market the wonderful tourist amenities in the area. The beaches in question, are Skerries South Beach, Portrane, Balcarrick beach in Donabate and Portmarnock. In addition, these four beaches have also received the Green Coast Award, which is an acknowledgement of their natural beauty, clean environment and water quality. These beaches are deserving recipients of both of these awards, as they are a testament to the wonderful efforts put in by the local authority, the Tidy Towns volunteers as well as local communities. The hope is that we will now see an increase in tourism in each of these local areas as a result. They also provide a platform from which we can further showcase the gorgeous scenery and numerous attractions present in the North County.
By Patrick Finnegan
The Blue Flag award is given to beaches which meet strict criteria in relation to water quality, Pictured at the presentation of the Blue Flag awards at Skerries South Beach are, County Manager, Paul Reid, John water safety, facilities, and overall management Sweeney (Climatologist NUI Maynooth), Phil Hogan (Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government), County Mayor, Cllr.Kieran Dennison, Patricia Oliver (An Taisce) and Brendan Ryan TD. factors, which include environmental education and litter control. This is yet another example of the beach in Donabate, was absolutely delighted County Manager, Paul Reid was also upbeat about the outstanding work that our wonderful volun- with the outcome. He said, “We’re out here on a the impact the blue flags will have on tourism here. teers do on a regular basis, right around the North peninsula, and surrounded by water. It is therefore He told the County Leader, “I’m very proud that we County. Special mention must be given to the very important for us to have visitors, and the news now have four blue flags. An important point to achievement of Portrane beach in getting it’s blue is just fabulous for tourism here. It gives reassur- make is that the blue flag is an international benchflag, considering that severe storms have eroded ance to people coming here that our beaches are mark, and we have achieved the best in class, and this fine beach over the past few years, yet the safe to use. People visiting from the continent, are we’re really glad to have done so. We hope that we indefatigable spirit of the local community used to blue flags, and now we can satisfy can promote the area as widely as we can and bring shone through here. this requirement for our visitors, who more tourists here. The main feature of Fingal is our The Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards always search out beaches that have blue beaches and now we have a good standard to were announced at a ceremony in flags. Last year, we felt the effects of not attract tourists,” he said. Skerries last week, and already there has having a blue flag, so we’re looking been very positive feedback from the forward to the coming season. It makes hospitality sector in the areas, where the marketing our great tourist destinations blue flags were awarded. easier for everyone. Great credit must go John Nealon, proprietor of Blue Bar in to the local organisations, like the Skerries said, Community Council and Tidy Towns “Firstly it’s groups,” he said. great news and John Nealon of Barry Maher, General Manager at the it’s an obvious Blue Bar, Skerries White Sands Hotel was delighted to hear boost for that Portmarnock was granted a blue flag and tourism. Skerries always welcomes the prospect that this will encourage a has a great tradition of commitment to partnership and collaborative swimming going back action from the community for the sustainable many years. It is a development of tourism in the area. Its great news unique bathing area, for the North County area and in particular which relies on the purity of it’s bathing water. Red Island is really important here, because it divides the North Beach from the South Beach. In rough weather, Red Island acts like a mushroom, which shelters bathers, when the weather is rough. It’s a great break for our famous swimmers, the Frosties, who swim all year round. Great credit Proprietor of Waterside Hotel in Donabate, Chris Slattery is due to all of the volunis pictured overlooking Donabate beach, which had teers and the Tidy Towns regained it's Blue Flag committee in Skerries, who worked tirelessly to Portmarnock. It’s fantastic to see the efforts of all ensure that our blue flag involved reap the rewards by achieving this great was regained,” he said. award. This will no doubt increase the volume of Tariq Sulhaddin, proprietor of Indie Spice and Indie @ Home, Swords, saw the Chris Slattery, owner of traffic to the area, which will bring a positive knock opportunity to promote the restaurant on North County Leader's innovative the Waterside Hotel, on effect to many industries in the locality in particwebsite, as well as their weekly email newsletter. Tariq is pictured here with Seán Fitzmaurice, IT Director, North County Leader. which is located right on ular the golf and leisure industry,” he said.
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