Following the fastidious work of Arklow’s dedicated Coast Care Team, Arklow South Beach has reclaimed it’s National Green Flag Status.
Arklow’s South Beach was the only beach in Co. Wicklow to be awarded the Green Flag at a ceremony held in The Galway Bay Hotel overlooking Salthill Blue Flag beach. The awards were presented by Hildegarde Naughton TD – Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Education.
National Green Flag
The Green Coast Award is a symbol of environmental excellence and has been established to acknowledge, promote and protect the environment of our beaches. The award is for beaches which have excellent water quality, but which are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment. Applicant sites must be managed in partnership with the local community to be considered for the Green Coast Award.
Wicklow County Council also worked closely with Arklow Coast Care to clean and manage the beach in an environmentally sensitive way, a collaboration which has resulted in the receipt of the award following a four year hiatus.
The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003. The
award was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever
since.The 2024 season sees a record breaking 70 beaches being awarded the Green Coast
Award. This is an increase of 4 awards compared to last year.
Commenting on the Green Flag award, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr. Aoife Flynn Kennedy, said “I am delighted that the Green Flag will once again fly over Arklow South Beach. The award is testimony to the hard work and dedication Arklow Coast Care shows.”
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with Local Authorities. The main purpose of the Green Coast Award programme is to foster partnerships within communities in an effort to protect and enhance local coastal environs, and to celebrate the efforts of those communities.
In addition to Arklow’s Green Flag Award, three Blue Flag awards were bestowed upon Greystones South Beach, Brittas Bay North and Brittas Bay South.
International Blue Flag
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognized awards for beaches. In order to qualify for this prestigious award, a series of criteria in the areas of facilities, safety, environmental management and education must be met and maintained. Bathing water must also have attained excellent status.
Welcoming the announcement of the awards, Chief Executive of Wicklow County Council Emer O’Gorman said, “There is a massive commitment required across many of the Council’s departments and Municipal Districts to reach the level of excellence required.”
World Ocean Day
With World Ocean Day falling on Saturday June 8th, Arklow Coast Care are inviting locals to join them at Arklow South Beach on Thursday, 6th June 1.30-2.30pm for their weekly litter pick. If you are planning to give your local stretch of coastline some TLC this World Ocean Day, you can get in contact with Arklow Coast Care and they will be happy to provide you with beach clean essentials.
Chairperson of Arklow Coast Care, Nathalie Saint Sevin extended her Thanks and appreciation of the volunteers who give up their time freely each week to ensure the local waterways and seas are kept clean. The small, dedicated group are currently welcoming new volunteers.
The Green Coast Award in Ireland is funded by the Department of the Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland.
