Top prizes handed out for excellent environmental management  

The local winners of the international Blue Flag Award and the UK-wide Seaside Award have been revealed for 2023.  

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful announced that Ballywalter South Beach, Cloughey Beach, Groomsport Beach and Millisle Beach received their Seaside Awards for ensuring that visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch at each location.

There was also a Blue Flag Award for Bangor Marina, which is managed by the independent operator boatfolk. Northern Ireland’s largest marina earned the prestigious distinction after reaching world-class standards in criteria that includes water quality, safety, accessibility, cleanliness and environmental education. 27 quality markers for blue spaces were shared across councils, with Causeway Coast and Glens claiming 12 awards and Mid and East Antrim landing three Blue Flags and three Seaside Awards.  There were a further three Blue Flag wins for beaches in Newry, Mourne and Down, while Ballyronan Marina in Mid Ulster retained its Blue Flag status for the 14th consecutive year.  

 Dr Ian Humphreys, CEO of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: "We are extremely pleased that Ards and North Down has achieved four Seaside Awards and a Blue Flag Award at Bangor Marina. Each flag is a symbol that these special places are managed to an excellent standard and an important trust signal to the public that they can expect a high-quality experience when they visit one of these award-winning sites. 
"At a time when budgets are tight and difficult decisions are never far away, we want to thank the council and boatfolk for continuing to invest in our beaches and marinas that are much loved and valued by tourists and people at home alike." 

Council staff, including Mayor Karen Douglas, were invited to collect the awards at a presentation ceremony in The Arcadia, Portrush on Thursday 25 May. The occasion was organised by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, who manage the accreditations locally.  

The award-winning locations will now have their respective flags in place for the duration of the Northern Ireland bathing season, which runs from 01 June to 15 September.
To see the full list of Blue Flag Award and Seaside Award winners, visit www.keepnorthernirelandbeautiful.org