Cranfield, Murlough and Tyrella Beaches Awarded Iconic Blue Flags

Northern Ireland’s award-winning beaches and marinas have been revealed at a ceremony at Belfast Harbour Office.

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, who manage the accreditations locally, announced 22 winning sites across five council areas.

Cranfield, Murlough and Tyrella beaches in our district are three of 16 sites across Northern Ireland to earn the iconic Blue Flag Award - one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches and marinas.

Winning sites met international standards in criteria such as safety, accessibility, cleanliness, environmental education and, for beaches, water quality.

A further 6 beaches across NI received Seaside Awards, the UK’s mark of quality that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive, and well-managed coastal stretch.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “The Newry Mourne and Down coastline is famous for its amazing sandy beaches, spectacular views, and unique geology, ecology and communities. I am delighted that three of our most beautiful beaches, Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield have once again retained the world-renowned Blue Flag accreditations.

The maintenance and development of these sites relies on the consistent hard work and care of countless Council teams, community groups and volunteers. I would like to personally thank and congratulate them all on their contributions toward these awards. I encourage all of our residents to safely and responsibly enjoy our coastline this Summer, taking care to follow ‘Leave no Trace’ principles and play an important part in upkeeping the high standards for which we are now being awarded.”

Eric Randall, CEO of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said, “We are extremely pleased that 22 beaches and marinas are being recognised with either a Blue Flag or a Seaside Award. Northern Ireland can rightly be proud of the amazing beaches and marinas we have to enjoy. Our offering is world class, and the public can be assured of an excellent experience when they visit one of these sites.

As we recognise these areas, we need to take steps to protect them for future generations. All parts of government and society must proactively adopt approaches that reverse the devastating impact of the climate emergency and ensure that these areas thrive into the future.”

Award-winning beaches will now have their respective flags in place for this year’s bathing season. In the event that water quality is not safe for members of the public to swim in the water, Blue Flags and Seaside Awards Flags are lowered until the water is safe to swim in.

Blue Flag Marinas, which are not designated bathing waters, fly their flags all year round.

For more information, please visit www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org.