Green Flag Award

Greystones Councillor Lourda Scott has asked for a presentation from the Council on how communities can apply for a Green Flag award for nominated beaches. The Green Flag award recognises beaches with high environmental management and excellent water quality. Co Wicklow is notable in being the only County in the South and Eastern Coasts not to have a Green Flag beach.

Speaking after June’s County Council meeting. Scott said: “I have been looking to progress a Green Coast award for some time now. I have spoken to several community groups about this including Clean Coasts North Wicklow which I set up in 2021. Unlike the Blue Flag accreditation this award is led by the community in partnership with the Local Authority.  It recognises beaches that are highly valued locally both for their natural beauty as well as environmental factors such as clean water. In Greystones and Kilcoole we have two beaches being monitored for  water quality (The Cove and Kilcoole beach). With regular beach clean ups in progress I feel that the work is being done, it is just not clear what the process is to follow through with formal recognition from An Taisce. I am delighted that the Chief Executive supported my proposal to proactively address this, starting with a presentation on the award to the Municipal districts. It’s high time that Co. Wicklow joined the list of Green Flag beaches and I am determined that this will be achieved in 2024.”