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Blue Flag success for Dollymount and Portrane

Friday, 20 June 2008

FANCY a dip at your local beach this summer? Well, on the Northside of the city, your best bet would be Dollymount and Portrane.
These are the only two beaches on the North Dublin coastline that will be flying the coveted Blue Flag in 2008.
There was joy when Dollymount regained the flag it lost last year, while there was huge disappointment when Donabate lost its Blue Flag. Portrane, ‘the old reliable’ retained its Blue Flag status, marking it out as one of the top quality beaches on the Northside.
Donabate lost its flag as Water Quality testing in 2007 did not meet the EU Guideline standard.
Dollymount is the only beach in Dublin city to receive this prestigious status while Ireland is one of only five countries that has a Blue Flag beach within its capital city.
While Dollymount did not apply for a Blue Flag last year, the beach gained the highest bathing water quality in the bay area, seeing off Sandymount and Merrion Strand.
The Blue Flag is an international award for beaches with excellent water quality.
While beaches without the award may still be safe to swim at, the award serves as a sign of excellence and shows that the beach has fulfilled certain criteria with regard to providing education and facilities.
Only 80 Blue Flags are being awarded for 2008, down from 83 in 2007. The flags are awarded on the basis of the previous year’s bathing water quality results.
The results for 2007 were adversely affected by unusually heavy rainfall during last summer that washed waste into the sea.
Dublin North Senator Brendan Ryan (Lab) has called on Fingal County Council and Minister for Environment, John Gormley, to make a concerted effort to ensure that next year more Fingal beaches achieve Blue Flag status.
“Portrane is literally flying the flag on its own for the beaches of Fingal,” stated Senator Ryan.
“Both Fingal County Council and the local community are to be congratulated on their hard work in retaining the flag for the third year running.
“I understand that out of the 16 beaches in Fingal, the council applied for Blue Flag status for only two of them.”
Meanwhile, Dublin North Central TD Richard Bruton (FG) congratulated everyone involved in helping Dollymount achieve success.
“As a regular swimmer at Bull Wall, I am delighted to see the Blue Flag return,” stated Deputy Bruton.
“However, now is the time to improve other features of what is on offer at the beach.”
Deputy Bruton said that as we enter the peak bathing season, it was also time to improve other facilities.
“I am urging Dublin City Council to consider giving the area a facelift,” he added.
Dublin North East TD Terence Flanagan (FG) has also welcomed the news concerning Dollymount.
“I wish to congratulate Dublin City Council on all their hard work in ensuring that Dollymount regained its Blue Flag status,” said Deputy Flanagan.
“The restoration of Dollymount's Blue Flag is not only a great boost to the area but to the city in general.”

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