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Pupils from Castledrum National School, helped raise the Blue Flag on Inch Strand, one of Kerry County Councils 14 Blue Flags beaches for the 2017 season. Included are Gavin Sheehan, Eden Murphy, Carla Evan, Tirna Murphy, Kielan Foley, Dylan Ladden, Jamie Ladden, Sophie O’Connor. Photo: Valerie O’Sullivan
IT may have come in for mention as a great surfing spot by a famous rock star on Sunday, but it was Inch Strand’s environmental quality that was recognised today with the official raising of its Blue Flag.
Members of Kerry County Council were present to raise one of the county’s 14 Blue Flags for the 2017 season as the county’s beaches have again maintained their excellent standard this year with the awarding of 14 Blue Flags for 2017 by An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland, as announced in recent weeks.
At his sold-out Live At The Marquee gig on Sunday night, avid surfer Eddie Vedder of multi-million selling rock gods Pearl Jam, said he heard the southwest had some great places for surfing and mentioned Inch Strand to some cheers from the Kerry folk present.
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Eddie Vedder. File Photo
We’re not sure if the pupils of Castledrum NS have ever heard of the grunge icon, but they joined Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, Cllr Michael O’Shea; councillors from the South and West Kerry Municipal District; the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council, Moira Murrell; and Director of Services for Environment, John Breen in raising the flag on Wednesday.
Blue Flags are awarded to beaches and marinas which comply with a very specific set of criteria relating to water quality, information provision, environmental education and beach management. Beaches must also comply with EU bathing water directives to secure the honour.
The other Kerry beaches to retain their flags for 2017 were Rossbeigh, Ballybunion North, Ballybunion South, Ballyheigue, Fenit, Maherbeg, Kells, Derrynane, White Strand, Ballinskelligs, Banna and Ventry.
Fenit Marina also retains it Blue Flag this year. Green Coast awards have also been announced for Beal Bán, Castlegregory, Littor, Waterville and Ballinskelligs.
Cathaoirleach O’Shea said: “Blue Flags are an important indicator of the quality of our beach environment and it is encouraging that Kerry is continuing to set a very high standard in this regard. These flags are a result of a collaborative approach between Kerry County Council, local community groups and beach users who work together to maintain our beautiful beaches and bathing waters,” he said.
