Why are our beaches clean? Several organisations deserve our gratitude – along with numerous anonymous strangers who voluntarily clean up their local beaches.
https://www.beaches.ie/
This provides water quality and other information for over 200 beaches in Ireland. It has a lot of good functionality – you can see the amenities, aspects of nature, and even the weather for each beach.
www.epa.ie/pubs/reports/water/bathing/
Abundant source of all types of documents related to Bathing Water safety – maps, reports etc This is only a tiny part of what the EPA do.
www.coastwatch.org/europe
Coastwatch Europe (CWE) is an international network of environmental groups, universities and other educational institutions, who in turn work with local groups and individuals around the coast of Europe. The key focus is on wetlands. Their goal is the protection and sustainable use of coastal resources, and informed public participation in environmental planning and management.
www.beachawards.ie
There are two well known awards associated with Irish beaches – the Blue Flag and the Green Coast Award
1. http://www.blueflag.global/
The Blue Flag is a certification by the Foundation for Environmental Education that a beach, marina, or sustainable boating tourism operator meets its stringent standards
2. www.beachawards.ie/green-coast/
The Green Coast Award in Ireland is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning & Local Government and Fáilte Ireland. The aim of the Green Coast Award is to recognise beaches of high environmental quality. These beaches must have excellent water quality and have effective and appropriate management to ensure the protection of the natural environment.
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/bathing-water-quality
Various resources related to bathing quality in Northern Ireland
www.cleancoasts.org
Clean Coasts focuses of the protection of Ireland’s beaches, seas and marine life. The programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and is currently funded by the Department of the Housing, Planning & Local Government and Fáilte Ireland. Clean Coasts is made up of two main elements; Clean Coasts Volunteering and the Green Coast Award.
http://www.iws.ie/
An average of 127 people drown each year in Ireland. IWS strive to reduce these fatalities by increasing water safety awareness and by changing attitudes and behaviours so that Ireland’s aquatic environments can be enjoyed with confidence and safety.
