Tidy N.I. announce 21 awards
Holidaymakers planning to spend this summer on Northern Ireland's coastline will be spoilt for choice following the announcement that Northern Ireland beaches have been awarded six Blue Flag Awards and four Green Coast Awards and eleven Seaside Awards.
The internationally recognised Blue Flag, sponsored by Northern Ireland Tourist Board, is awarded to beaches that satisfy 29 different criteria including litter-free sands, quality bathing water, safety and cleanliness, was presented to Benone, Portrush Whiterocks, Portstewart Strand, Tyrella and Cranfield West and joining the roll of honour for the first time this year is Murlough Beach in County Down.
Portrush West Strand and Downhill were the only beaches to lose their Blue Flag status this year, suffering from deterioration in water quality brought about by heavy rainfall last summer.
Alan Clarke, Chief Executive at Northern Ireland Tourist Board, said: "Northern Ireland continues to welcome more and more visitors with recent statistics showing a 26% increase in holiday visitors from the Republic of Ireland. Our stunning coastline insures that such visitors have a memorable experience and we welcome the news that six of our beaches have been rewarded with Blue Flag status."
The Coca-Cola sponsored Green Coast Award, which is awarded to more rural beaches, recognised for their natural unspoilt beauty, guideline water quality and cleanliness was presented to Helens Bay and Blue Flag winners Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield West. Four additional beaches on the County Down coast were also recognised for their efforts this year in working towards the Green Coast Award, with Cloughey, Rossglass, Minerstown and Crawfordsburn all entering into the Green Coast Award pilot phase.
Gillian McBrien, Public Relations Executive of Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland, said, "We are proud to support the 'Green Coast Awards'. As a local company we have been investing in community projects for some 70 years and are proud to partner with Tidy NI, an organisation that is committed to protecting our local environment and championing environmental change for Northern Ireland's coastline. Congratulations to all the beach managers and local communities from around Northern Ireland on achieving these prestigious awards."
Seaside awards were also given to eleven of our beaches including Portrush East Strand, Portrush West Strand, Downhill, Portstewart Strand, Cranfield West, Murlough and Tyrella. Additionally, Rural Seaside Awards were given to Brown's Bay, Ballygally and Carnlough in the Larne area, as well as Millisle.
Dr Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive of TIDY Northern Ireland, the charity which operate the Blue Flag, Green Coast and Seaside Awards in the province, added: "It's great that we are able to provide people with a wide range of high quality beaches, especially at a time when people are perhaps considering spending their holidays close to home. The beach operators have worked hard to ensure our shoreline is in great condition, and I would call on the public to do their bit as well. By using the bins provided and keeping litter off the beach, we can all enjoy the summer months relaxing on beaches that any exotic destination would be proud of."
Northern Ireland Blue Flag Beaches 2009
| Name of Beach | County | Beach Manager |
| Magilligan, Benone Strand | Derry | Limavady Borough Council |
| Cranfield Bay | Down | Newry & Mourne District Council |
| Portstewart | Derry | The National Trust |
| Murlough | Down | Down District Council |
| Portrush, Whiterocks | Antrim | Coleraine Borough Council |
| Tyrella | Down | Down District Council |
New Entry: Murlough. Out from last year: Portrush West Strand and Downhill
Northern Ireland Green Coast Award Beaches 2009
| Name of Beach | County | Beach Manager |
| Cranfield Bay | Down | Newry & Mourne District Council |
| Murlough | Down | Down District Council |
| Tyrella | Down | Down District Council |
| Helen's Bay | Down | Northern Ireland Environment Agency |
Northern Ireland Seaside Award Beaches 2009
| Name of Beach | County | Beach Manager |
| Downhill (R) | Londonderry | Coleraine Borough Council |
| Portrush West (R) | Antrim | Coleraine Borough Council |
| Portrush East (R) | Antrim | Coleraine Borough Council |
| Portstewart Strand (R) | Antrim | The National Trust |
| Carnlough (r) | Antrim | Larne Borough Council |
| Ballygally (r) | Antrim | Larne Borough Council |
| Brown's Bay (r) | Antrim | Larne Borough Council |
| Millisle (r) | Down | Ards Borough Council |
| Cranfield Bay (R) | Down | Newry & Mourne District Council |
| Murlough (R) | Down | Down District Council |
| Tyrella (R) | Down | Down District Council |
R=Resort; r=rural