Analysis of bathing water in respect of the Directive is separate from - although complementary to - the European Blue Flag Scheme. This is a International Campaign administered in Ireland by An Taisce (the National Trust for Ireland) with support from the Department of Environment, Heritage and local Government and at the European level by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). To receive a Blue Flag, a bathing site must maintain a high degree of water quality.

Bathing areas are regularly sampled and monitored according to the EU Quality of Bathing Water Directive. In addition, it must meet specified criteria with regard to the provision of Safety, Services and Facilities, Environmental Management of the beach area and Environmental Education.

The Blue Flag is awarded on an annual basis. All monitoring results are sent to An Taisce once they are received by the Local Authority. An Taisce carry out inspections during the bathing season to establish level of compliance with all the Blue Flag Criteria. Applications for Blue Flags are made annually by the Local Authority. Award winners can fly a blue flag during the bathing season from the beginning of June to the end of August.

In 2010, Cork County Council were delighted to announce that ten beaches reached the very stringent standards required to fly the Blue flag. These were:

Bathing Area:

Area:

Claycastle

Youghal

Redbarn

Youghal

Garryvoe

Youghal

Garretstown

Kinsale

Garrylucas

Kinsale

Inchydoney

Clonakilty

Owenahincha

Clonakilty

Warren

Clonakilty

Tragumna

Skibbereen

Barleycove

Schull

Blue Flag beaches are maintained to the relevant Blue Flag standards with provision of car parking, public toilets, lifeguards, litter control and environmental information/activities offered during the summer months by the County Council through the relevant Area Engineer's office. The necessary water quality monitoring and maintenance of the Blue Flag award in Cork is the responsibility of the Environment Directorate of Cork County Council which is based at Inniscarra.

Green Coast Award

In the County of Cork a further 10 beaches were awarded the Green Coast award in 2010.

Beach

Area

Claycastle

Youghal Area

Garryvoe

Youghal Area

Inch

Midleton Area

Ring

Youghal Area

Rocky Bay

Carrigaline Area

Redstrand

Clonakilty Area

Ballyrisode

Schull area

Cadogens Beach

Schull area

Galleycove

Schull area

Garinish

Castletownbere area

The Green Coast Award is a specially designed award for those rural beaches which have excellent water quality but do not necessarily have the strict infrastructure that is required to meet all the criteria set for Blue Flag status e.g. Toilets, parking, lifeguards, etc.

Community Involvement is an important element of the Green Coast Award.

Cork County Council is confident in achieving additional Green Coast Awards for more Rural Beaches along our coastline.

Further information on the Green Coast Award and how you can get involved in the programme can be found at the following links: www.antaisce.org or www.beachawards.ie

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

The public has an important part to play in seeing that a beach keeps its status as a recognised Blue Flag Bathing Area.

On your next beach visit:

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Use litter bins if provided

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If litter bins are not provided an accepted policy on some Blue Flag Beaches Please take home your Litter. (Pack It In Pack It Out Initiative developed on some beaches).

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Recycle where possible.

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On Blue Flag Beaches access to the beach by dogs and other domestic animals must be strictly controlled-------dogs and pets are permitted in the parking areas ,on walkways and promenades in the back beach only.

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All dogs must be kept under effectual control in public places and must at all times wear a means of identification of the owner—a collar with a disc, badge, name tag (Control of Dogs Act 1986/1992).

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Where faeces has been deposited by a dog in any place the person in charge of the dog shall immediately remove the faeces and shall ensure that it is properly disposed of in a suitable sanitary manner (Litter Act 1997)

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Do not vandalise/interfere with property or facilities provided at the beach ---information boards, toilet facilities, lifesaving equipment etc

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Respect fragile environments on the beach e.g. local flora , sand dunes areas etc

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Respect other beach users.

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Anyone can get involved in beach activity programmes advertised on local beach notice boards and web sites or maybe start your own.

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Obey water safety guidelines at your beach and follow instruction of lifeguards if provided.