Displaying items by tag: blue flag marinas

26th May 2021

All Ten Irish Marinas Retain Blue Flag Status for 2021

All 10 marinas awarded a Blue Flag in 2020 have been awarded a Blue Flag for the coming season.

Of the 26 counties, four have two Blue Flags and two counties have one.

The International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2021 were announced by the Education Unit of An Taisce yesterday.

As Afloat reported, the number of Blue Flags awarded this season set a new record for the Republic of Ireland for beaches and marinas.

Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina on the Owenabue river in Crosshaven in Cork Harbour has retained its Blue Flag for 2021 Photo: Bob Bateman

The retention of Blue Flag status at both Kinsale Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club means that Cork has a total of 12 Blue Flag beaches and marinas a record annual haul for the rebel county.

Quigley's Marina, Killinure Point on the River Shannon in County West Meath has retained the Blue Flag awarded in 2020. Quigleys' Marina has been awarded every year since 2003.

The 10 marinas (from a coastal network of approximately 60 marinas and pontoons) that have achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management.

The Ten 2021 Irish Blue Flag Marinas are:

WEXFORD

Kilmore Quay Marina
New Ross: Three Sisters Marina

CORK

Royal Cork Yacht Club
Kinsale Yacht Club

KERRY

Portmagee seasonal Visitors pontoon
Fenti Marina

CLARE

Kilrush Marina

WESTMEATH

Quigley's Marina

DONEGAL

Rathmullan Marina
Greencastle Marina

Published in Irish Marinas

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Irish Sailing

The Irish Sailing Association, also known as Irish Sailing, is the national governing body for sailing, powerboating and windsurfing in Ireland.

Founded in 1945 as the Irish Dinghy Racing Association, it became the Irish Yachting Association in 1964 and the Irish Sailing Association in 1992.

Irish Sailing is a Member National Authority (MNA) of World Sailing and a member of the Olympic Federation of Ireland.

The Association is governed by a volunteer board, elected by the member clubs. Policy Groups provide the link with members and stakeholders while advising the Board on specialist areas. There is a professional administration and performance staff, based at the headquarters in Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin.

Core functions include the regulation of sailing education, administering racing and selection of Irish sailors for international competition. It is the body recognised by the Olympic Federation of Ireland for nominating Irish qualified sailors to be considered for selection to represent Ireland at the Olympic Games. Irish sailors have medalled twice at the Olympics – David Wilkins and Jamie Wikinson at the 1980 games, and Annalise Murphy at the 2016 games.

The Association, through its network of clubs and centres, offers curriculum-based training in the various sailing, windsurfing and powerboating disciplines. Irish Sailing qualifications are recognised by Irish and European Authorities. Most prominent of these are the Yachtmaster and the International Certificate of Competency.

It runs the annual All-Ireland Championships (formerly the Helmsman’s Championship) for senior and junior sailors.

The Association has been led by leading lights in the sailing and business communities. These include Douglas Heard, Clayton Love Junior, John Burke and Robert Dix.

Close to 100 sailors have represented Ireland at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership of Irish Sailing is either by direct application or through membership of an affiliated organisation. The annual membership fee ranges from €75 for families, down to €20 for Seniors and Juniors.