Local marina retains its 'Blue Flag' status

Quigley's Marina at Killinure Point in Glasson received some good news today (Tuesday) when it was announced as one of the 90 marinas or beaches to have been awarded the coveted Blue Flag status for 2020.

Quigley's was retaining the Blue Flag award which it has held for many years.

Another local marina, Athlone Marina, once held Blue Flag status but lost it some years ago due to occasional and ongoing discharges of untreated sewage into the river.

The council subsequently stopped applying for Blue Flag status on behalf of Athlone Marina, and no application was made on its behalf this year.

The International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2020 were announced by Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards manager with An Taisce’s Education Unit, the national operator of Blue Flag and Green Coast Award programmes in the Republic of Ireland.

The criteria for being awarded a Blue Flag relate to water quality, facilities for visitors, beach management, environmental education and the provision of information.

In addition to the 90 Blue Flags (80 of which went to beaches while 10 went to marinas), 60 Green Coast awards were announced today, which is two fewer than in 2019. Green Coast awards require community involvement in the management of coastal sites.

Applications for Blue Flag status in the Midlands were few, and Quigley's Marina was the only facility in counties Westmeath, Roscommon, Longford or Offaly to secure this recognition.