Tyrella beach in line for £30k funding boost

Tyrella beach in line for £30k funding boost

16 January 2019

THE award-winning Tyrella beach is in line for a £30,000 investment designed to make it even better.

Tyrella, which is one of a number of local beaches that continues to enjoy some of the best bathing water quality in Europe, currently holds the prestigious EU Blue Flag status.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council agreed this week to make money available to carry out a range of improvements at the beach to further improve the visitor experience.

Council officials say they recognise that Tyrella attracts significant visitor numbers — especially between April and September — due to its scenic location and the continuing high quality of its bathing water.

The £30,000 investment has been earmarked to enhance the boardwalk area between the main car park and the beach and improve parking and traffic measures, alongside improved pedestrian access and aesthetic improvements to the site.

Members of the local authority’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee were told at their meeting on Monday that the money required to finance the range of improvement work is available in the department’s existing budget.

Confirmation improvement work is to be carried out at Tyrella has been welcomed by Cllr Dermot Curran who said Tyrella had long been regarded as one of the province’s top beaches.

He said many of the district’s beaches, in particular those which hold Blue Flag status such as Tyrella, “provided an ideal opportunity for people to get out and explore the area’s unique geological heritage and enjoy a wide range of activities which are available.” 

“Investing in Tyrella is good news for the district and visitors to the area,” continued Cllr Curran. “We are fortunate to have stunning beaches like Tyrella, Kilclief and Ballyhornan on our doorstep and it is important that at this time we commend those who work to keep our bathing waters clean and, more importantly, up to an internationally recognised standard so they are safe to use.”

Cllr Curran said picturesque beaches helped make up the “unique fabric of Lecale and the surrounding area” and were a vital tourism resource.

He added: “The planned investment at Tyrella beach is a good news story. I am pleased the local authority is not content to sit back on its laurels but recognises the importance of continuing investment in a wealth of tourism assets right across the entire district.

“We are lucky to be blessed with such priceless resources which can make a valuable contribution to the health and well-being of our local communities and visitors alike. It is imperative that we continue to strive for the very highest of standards across all our facilities.”