Kilrush Marina & Portmagee Pontoon Awarded Blue Flags on the West Coast

11th June 2020

Marina Manager Simon McGibney (left) and Blue Flag project manager George McGibney with one of two new Blue Flags for Kilrush Marina and Portmagee Pontoon

Kilrush Maritime Ltd has received two Blue Flags for its operations on the West coast of Ireland at Kilrush Marina on the Shannon Estuary and Portmagee pontoons in County Kerry.

Kilrush Marina, in Co. Clare, which was built in 1991 came under the ownership of Mr. Louis Keating in 2014 and has seen significant investment in infrastructure since. The marina has been managed since 2018 by former Commodore of West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association (WIORA), Simon McGibney. Kilrush Marina last held Blue Flag status in 2005.

Portmagee visitors pontoons

Kilrush Maritime Ltd also manages the seasonal 16-berth visitors pontoons in Portmagee, Co. Kerry. The pontoon, opened in 2014, operates annually from 1st April to 31st October. The berths provide shelter for visiting boats along the west coast and also provide a base for local Skellig tour operators.

The Blue Flag programme administered in Ireland by An Taisce, promotes sustainable development in freshwater and marine areas first started in France in 1985. It is run by the non-profit organisation FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) and has become a global programme with an ever-increasing number of countries taking part.

Published in Shannon Estuary

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