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KERRY has been awarded 14 Blue Flags this summer including 12 at beaches around the county, one at Fenit Marina and one at the Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons in south Kerry.
The decision of the International Blue Flag jury was announced today and sees the following beaches awarded Blue Flags for 2021: Rossbeigh, Ballybunion South, Ballyheigue, Fenit, Maherabeg, Kells, Derrynane, White Strand, Ballinskelligs, Banna, Ventry and Inch.
Fenit Marina also retains its Blue Flag this year while the Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons, run by Kilrush Maritime Ltd, is a recipient also.
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Green Coast Awards have been issued for Waterville, Ballinskelligs, Béal Bán, Castlegregory and Littor beaches.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Patrick Connor Scarteen welcomed the announcement saying that the awarding of the Blue Flags is a wonderful vote of confidence in the collaborative approach between Kerry County Council, local community groups and beach users who work together to maintain our beautiful beaches and bathing waters.
‘This is fantastic recognition of the quality of our beaches and beach environments in Kerry. Kerry County Council invests tremendous effort in keeping County Kerry at the top of the Blue Flag list and will continue to invest the necessary resources to ensure the sustainable management of our magnificent beaches along the Kerry coast,’ he said.
‘To be awarded 14 Blue Flags in the county is really positive news for the local economy and our tourism industry at this very challenging time,’ said John Breen, Director of Services with Kerry County Council.
‘We would appeal to all beach users this summer to be responsible in observing social distancing at the beach, to be respectful of other beach users and to ensure that they leave the beach as they found it and do not litter. In that regard, we will be stepping up our anti-littering messaging with new signs and publicity campaigns over the coming weeks,” he added.
