Green Coast award for local beach

As Mornington celebrated its Green Coast Award from an Taisce, hopes are high in east Meath that the county's coastline can earn a Blue Flag next year.

“We have been awarded the Green Coast Award for Mornington for the pristine condition of the beach, the good water quality and its natural beauty,” said Cllr Sharon Tolan of the local Beach Management Committee.

“The criteria for a blue flag is different – you need to have additional facilities such as toilets and accessibility,"Cllr Tolan stated.

“Our water quality is consistently excellent and when our new building at the entrance to the beach in Bettystown is completed, it will provide toilets, beach wheelchairs and beach mats which will make the beach accessible,” she said.

“Our water quality is monitored from the mouth of the Boyne to the mouth of the Nanny. I was delighted to attend the An Taisce Blue Flag and Green Coasts Awards at Curracloe Beach in Co Wexford. It was a great event celebrating all the fantastic work carried out by dedicated individuals and groups that help to keep our beaches and coastlines clean and safe all across Ireland.

“I was delighted to accept the award on behalf of the Beach Management committee. It was all down the the local volunteers who go out litter picking either daily, weekly or monthly.

“Whatever you do to keep our coastline clean and safe, is much appreciated. The award is testament to the amount of work people do to keep out beaches clean and safe.

“ It was great to see this award return to Meath. I am committed to working with groups and Meath County Council to achieve Green Flags and possibly Blue for more of our beaches in Meath,” she said.

This year marked 35 years of the Blue Flag as an international programme and during that time the Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety.

Some 95 blue flags and 62 green coast awards were presented this year to Irish beaches.

The new beachfront library building planned for Bettystown will include community rooms, lifeguard and beach warden spaces, public toilets and disability toilets and changing facilities.

It will also house beach wheelchairs and mats to ensure the beach is accessible for all.