Carne beach is proudly flying its first Blue Flag this year and the community came out to hoist the coveted symbol of excellent water quality at a pleasant local ceremony held at the popular resort.
Wexford’s beaches are performing to the highest standards and were recognised with nine Blue Flags and eight Green Coast Flags at the 2018 awards ceremony held in Dublin recently.
Cllr Ger Carthy told WexfordToday.com that Carne beach will now be prominent in guide and tourist attaction books and on maps and will attract larger numbers to the area which will bring a seasonal economic booost to south-east Wexford.

Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Jim Moore, James Browne,T.D., Cllrs Ger Carthy, Mick Roche and Lisa McDonald, officials of Wexford County Council and members of the community development group at the ceremony raising the first Blue Flag at Carne Beach.

Wexford County Council Director of Services John Carley congratulated all those involved in maintaining the county’s beaches to the exacting standards and ensuring these key resources continue to attract large visitor numbers to the county.

Mr Carley said that the Blue Flag at Carne was up to the exact same standard as a Blue Flag in Spain or Portugal and is an internationally recognised symbol of water quality and safety standards.
He also praised the work of Coastcare Volunteer Groups, who play a very important role in achieving Green Coast status for Wexford’s beaches, stating that the Green Coast award “demonstrates the continuing dedication of the public to the improvement of their communities and surroundings.”
The Blue Flag award is presented to beaches and marinas which have excellent water quality and which achieve high standards across a wide range of other criteria including environmental education, management of the environment, safety and other services.
The attendance at the Carne ceremony included James Browne, T.D., Mayor of Wexford, Cllr Jim Moore, Cllrs Ger Carthy, Mick Roche and Lisa McDonald, Director of Services at Wexford County Council, John Carley, the Doyle family and community activists.
Wexford County Council successfully retained all six Blue Flags awarded last year and in addition, received a first-time Blue Flag for the popular Carne Beach.
The full list for Blue Flags are Ballinesker, Carne, Courtown, Curracloe, Morriscastle, Rosslare, Ballymoney North, Kilmore Quay Marina and New Ross Marina, and for Green Coast Awards; Old Bawn, Cahore, Culleton’s Gap, Ballyhealy, Cullenstown Strand, Booley Bay, Grange and St. Helen’s Bay.