TIDY Northern Ireland are pleased to announce that a grand total of eight beaches and one marina have been awarded the international Blue Flag for their excellent environmental management and pristine water quality. This is an extremely positive sign of improvement for Northern Ireland beaches as this is the largest number of Blue Flags Northern Ireland has seen for five years and well up on the number awarded last year. Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive for TIDY Northern Ireland said, "This is a fantastic result for Northern Ireland's beaches, reflecting a significant investment by beach operators and resulting in greater choice of clean, safe and litter free places to spend the summer for all our visitors".

Among the beaches awarded was Benone beach which received its 20^th Blue Flag in a row from Alderman Edwin Poots, MLA, Minister for the Environment, at Mussenden Temple today, where he commented that "Our Councils and other beach operators work hard to provide really fine facilities at our coastal destinations. These awards are a public recognition of their achievement and can be displayed with great civic pride. They are a credit to the whole community. With such attention to quality we can be assured that our award winning beaches are among the best in the world."

"Our other beaches are not too far behind and should be encouraged to apply for the Blue Flag Award. One of the worst problems can be litter. We can all help. It is not someone else's job to pick it up and take it away, it's everyone's job to ensure it's not left there in the first place!"

Additionally, two new Blue Flags were awarded to Castlerock beach on the north coast and to Ballyronan Marina on the western shores of Lough Neagh.

It comes with perfect timing as more and more of us are staying at home heading down to our own coast for more affordable holidays, free of the uncertainty caused by loitering volcanic ash clouds; and why wouldn't we, with an array of top notch beaches to choose from. Alan Clarke, Chief Executive of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said, "We are always striving to improve the visitor experience, and these accolades show how hard work and commitment pay off. These fantastic beaches will ensure visitors, from home or further afield, have great places to visit during their stay in Northern Ireland. "

Added to this good news is that 8 beaches have also received the Seaside Award, including three beaches along the East Antrim Coast and one on the Ards Peninsula, for exemplary environmental management and good water quality.

Northern Ireland Blue Flag Beaches 2010

Northern Ireland Seaside Award Beaches 2010

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The Blue Flag Programme has been operating in Northern Ireland for a number of years with successful beaches extending from Magilligan in Co. Londonderry all the way to Cranfield in Co.Down. To view the history of water quality (tested by the Environment and Heritage Service) and Blue Flag awards in Northern Ireland to date please click on the link below.

Northern Ireland Beach Database