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BLUE FLAG BEACHES
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| The Blue Flag campaign
is a European project designed to increase environmental
awareness and organised by the Foundation for Environmental
Education in Europe (F.E.E.E.). An Taisce are the
co-ordinators of the scheme here in Ireland. |
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| Before a Blue Flag is
awarded to a beach, strict standards must be met
in relation to factors such as water quality, beach
area management and safety and environmental education/information. |
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| Donegal County Council
is committed to ensuring that as many of our beaches
as possible continue to satisfy the high standards
required to qualify for a Blue Flag. |
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Blue Flags are awarded annually
and the beaches featured below were awarded flags
in 2001
For Blue Flag Update Information, tel: +353
(0) 74 21173
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| County Donegal has a
long indented coastline and at 1235km., is the longest
of all the counties in Ireland. This variation in
coastline has resulted in both "hard"
coasts with rugged high cliffs and "soft"
coasts backed by sand dune and machair systems in
varying states of evolution resulting in some of
the most magnificent beach and dune systems in Europe. |
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| Beaches and dunes, however,
are not just accumulation of sands, they are living
species of flora and fauna. They are largely factors
of the amount of sediment available for their formation
influenced by fluctuating sea levels. They are also
very susceptible to change, both natural and man-induced. |
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| Donegal County Council
is aware of the fragility of these systems and will
implement management plans to ensure that the use
of them for recreational purposes does not pose
any environmental threat. Part of these management
plans will be an educational content where appreciation
of this magnificent resource can be disseminated
to the general public whilst still ensuring their
continued enjoyment of it. |
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| Marram grass (ammophila
arenaria ) and lyme grass (elymus arenara) are the
principle dune builders in the county. Their protection
is vital to the well being of the dune systems. |
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| You can help us maintain
our beaches worthy of Blue Flag status by remembering
the following few points on your day at the beach: |
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| Don't leave any litter
on the beach or surrounding area. USE BINS/SKIPS
PROVIDED. |
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| Don't damage the dunes
or beach by using beach buggies, trail bikes, motor
bikes, etc. DO NOT TAKE
YOUR CAR ONTO THE BEACH. |
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| Consider the safety of
bathers. Don't use jet-skis unless in an area zoned
for such use. |
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| Remember, Donegal
is a county of awesome natural beauty. It is in
all our interests to ensure that such beauty is
preserved for future generations. |
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