Tyrella and Murlough beaches retain coveted Blue Flag quality status

Tyrella and Murlough beaches retain coveted Blue Flag quality status

8 June 2016

TYRELLA and Murlough beaches have retained their prestigious Blue Flag status.

They are among ten beaches in Northern Ireland recognised as world class for their facilities and water quality.

The international Blue Flag award, administered locally by environmental charity, Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, is a mark of excellence in 49 countries.

Blue Flag beaches offer the highest standard of visitor facilities including toilets, lifeguards if necessary, first aid during peak hours and disabled access onto the beach. In order to promote a family friendly atmosphere, activities such as windsurfing are zoned while dogs are not permitted within the award area.

This is also the first year since new stricter EU bathing water classifications were introduced and all 23 identified bathing waters in Northern Ireland have met the minimum standards, something which has still not been achieved in England and Scotland.

The awards were presented on June 1 — the first day of the 2016 bathing season — at an event in the iconic Arcadia building in Portrush, by the International Director of the Blue Flag programme, Sophie Bachet Granados, the new Minister for Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs, Michelle McIlveen, and Andrew Patterson from Tourism NI.

Michelle McIlveen said the awards were testament to the hard work and dedication of those who manage our beaches.

“I am delighted that once again so many of Northern Ireland’s beaches have received the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards and that our first-class marinas have also been recognised,” she said.

“These hard-won awards let people around the world know that Northern Ireland is open for business and that our beaches are first class destinations: clean, healthy and safe to enjoy.”

South Down MP Margaret Ritchie stressed the importance of Blue Flag status in attracting tourists to South Down. 

“We not only have a robust and vibrant day visitor culture to our beaches but we also have a substantial caravan and holiday park industry in South Down that is reliant on top class beaches to complement the Mourne Mountains and the many  other recreational tourism provisions in our area,” she said. 

“As residents of South Down it is our responsibility to do all that we can to protect and enhance our beaches, and the work of local schools and community groups with beach cleans etc. must continue to be supported by our local council.

“These Blue Flag Awards cover the breadth of the South Down Coast from Cranfield to Murlough Beach and Tyrella. It is vital that we keep the focus on Blue Flag Status and I will be working with Newry Mourne and Down Council to ensure that all necessary resources are given to not only maintaining Blue Flag Status for these beaches but that Blue Flag Status for beaches in South Down is increased in the years to come.”