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02/06/2011
Life's A Beach As Blue Flags Flutter
As summer weather again brightens-up Northern Ireland today - with blue skies and temperatures as high as 23C - there was good news and not so good news on local beaches.
The Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood has presented awards that recognise the high quality of Northern Ireland beaches and coastal waters.
The Minister presented the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards today at Benone Strand, Limavady that is itself one of the beaches awarded with a Blue Flag - and while handing out accolades - it was also revealed that one, Cranfield beach in Co Down (pictured) has lost its Blue Flag status.
However, seven other beaches in Northern Ireland have been re-awarded the prestigious accolade that recognises, among other things, superior water quality, safety and cleanliness.
The other beaches re-awarded a Blue Flag apart from Benone are the adjacent Downhill and the Portstewart Strand all of which are in Co Londonderry.
Ballyronan Marina in Co Londonderry has also retained its Blue Flag as has Portrush West, Portrush East and Whiterocks which are in Co Antrim and Tyrella beach in Co Down.
They all qualified but one of Co Down's gems, Cranfield - home to a caravan park and popular with day trippers - failed to re-qualify despite Cranfield West beach being cared for by Newry and Mourne District Council.
As well as eight of Northern Ireland's larger beaches receiving Blue Flags, 10 smaller beaches also received Seaside Awards.
Presenting the awards, the SDLP's Alex Attwood, said: "Today's announcement of the Blue Flag and Seaside Award winners is encouraging news for Northern Ireland's beach users and seaside towns.
"Good water quality and the safety of beaches are key to our economy and tourism and we must strive to achieve high quality standards for the enjoyment of Northern Ireland's entire world famous coastline.
"However, not all of our beaches reach the required standard for water quality and this needs to be addressed," he said, adding that he recently announced a 'Good Beach Summit' within the coming weeks to ensure that all the issues relating to water quality problems can be interrogated with all those involved in beach management and beach use.
"The summit will involve people both inside and outside government," the Minister concluded.
The Blue Flag Award is an international eco-label recognised in 41 countries. It is judged against over 30 criteria one of which is water quality.
(BMcC/GK)
The Stormont Environment Minister Alex Attwood has presented awards that recognise the high quality of Northern Ireland beaches and coastal waters.
The Minister presented the prestigious Blue Flag and Seaside Awards today at Benone Strand, Limavady that is itself one of the beaches awarded with a Blue Flag - and while handing out accolades - it was also revealed that one, Cranfield beach in Co Down (pictured) has lost its Blue Flag status.
However, seven other beaches in Northern Ireland have been re-awarded the prestigious accolade that recognises, among other things, superior water quality, safety and cleanliness.
The other beaches re-awarded a Blue Flag apart from Benone are the adjacent Downhill and the Portstewart Strand all of which are in Co Londonderry.
Ballyronan Marina in Co Londonderry has also retained its Blue Flag as has Portrush West, Portrush East and Whiterocks which are in Co Antrim and Tyrella beach in Co Down.
They all qualified but one of Co Down's gems, Cranfield - home to a caravan park and popular with day trippers - failed to re-qualify despite Cranfield West beach being cared for by Newry and Mourne District Council.
As well as eight of Northern Ireland's larger beaches receiving Blue Flags, 10 smaller beaches also received Seaside Awards.
Presenting the awards, the SDLP's Alex Attwood, said: "Today's announcement of the Blue Flag and Seaside Award winners is encouraging news for Northern Ireland's beach users and seaside towns.
"Good water quality and the safety of beaches are key to our economy and tourism and we must strive to achieve high quality standards for the enjoyment of Northern Ireland's entire world famous coastline.
"However, not all of our beaches reach the required standard for water quality and this needs to be addressed," he said, adding that he recently announced a 'Good Beach Summit' within the coming weeks to ensure that all the issues relating to water quality problems can be interrogated with all those involved in beach management and beach use.
"The summit will involve people both inside and outside government," the Minister concluded.
The Blue Flag Award is an international eco-label recognised in 41 countries. It is judged against over 30 criteria one of which is water quality.
(BMcC/GK)
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Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2007
Local beaches awarded Blue Flags
Eight beaches in Northern Ireland have been awarded Blue Flags on meeting the guideline standards. Last year the same number of awards were given to beaches with litter-free sands and bathing waters. Portrush East Strand, which missed out last year, was added, while Downhill Beach has gone off the list.
Local beaches awarded Blue Flags
Eight beaches in Northern Ireland have been awarded Blue Flags on meeting the guideline standards. Last year the same number of awards were given to beaches with litter-free sands and bathing waters. Portrush East Strand, which missed out last year, was added, while Downhill Beach has gone off the list.
30 October 2024
Construction Begins On New Tyrella Beach Amenity Facility
Construction works for a new, purpose-built visitor amenity building have began at the award-winning Blue Flag Tyrella Beach in County Down. The project will deliver modern toilet and changing facilities, a fully equipped 'Changing Places' toilet, an accessible restroom, outdoor showers and solar-powered electricity.
Construction Begins On New Tyrella Beach Amenity Facility
Construction works for a new, purpose-built visitor amenity building have began at the award-winning Blue Flag Tyrella Beach in County Down. The project will deliver modern toilet and changing facilities, a fully equipped 'Changing Places' toilet, an accessible restroom, outdoor showers and solar-powered electricity.
29 April 2002
Disappointing year for Northern Ireland's beaches
Minister of the Environment Dermot Nesbitt said he was "disheartened" by the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Good Beach Guide 2002 which announced a decrease in the number of clean beaches in the province. Mr Nesbitt said: "Northern Ireland has gained recognition in the annual independent guide with nine recommended beaches.
Disappointing year for Northern Ireland's beaches
Minister of the Environment Dermot Nesbitt said he was "disheartened" by the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Good Beach Guide 2002 which announced a decrease in the number of clean beaches in the province. Mr Nesbitt said: "Northern Ireland has gained recognition in the annual independent guide with nine recommended beaches.
20 September 2011
Cleanest NI Waters Praised
All 24 of Northern Ireland's identified beaches passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standards for water quality in 2011. Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced the news in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit and said: "These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996.
Cleanest NI Waters Praised
All 24 of Northern Ireland's identified beaches passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standards for water quality in 2011. Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced the news in advance of the Second Good Beach Summit and said: "These are the best results in the last 15 years equalling those achieved in 1996.
26 May 2006
NI beaches included in 'Good Beach Guide'
Eight Northern Ireland beaches have been included in this year's Good Beach Guide. Although this is an increase on last year's total of six, the Marine Conservation Society has said that the number is still too few.
NI beaches included in 'Good Beach Guide'
Eight Northern Ireland beaches have been included in this year's Good Beach Guide. Although this is an increase on last year's total of six, the Marine Conservation Society has said that the number is still too few.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
