Three Galway parks and gardens have been included in the 2021 Green Flag awards announced by An Taisce environmental education.
The Galway City Council Children’s Millennium Park and Quinncentennial Park and the Galway County Council's Palace Grounds are recognised.
A total of 32 local authorities and park operators are partnering with An Taisce delivering the international scheme.
An international benchmarking standard for parks and green spaces, the Green Flag awards are available to public town parks, country parks, gardens, cemeteries, nature parks and green spaces from across the whole country.
Joe O'Brien, Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, said: “Since 2018 the Department of Rural and Community Development has supported An Taisce with the expansion of the Green Flag into our community run spaces. By doing this we have been able to leverage the Green Flag Award values and standards for the benefit of our communities and their voluntary work.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the hard work put in by park staff, and community volunteers, across the country. Not only in achieving this Green Flag success for Ireland today, but in maintaining the many parks, gardens, and greens across the country for our mutual benefit.
He concluded: "It is a great credit that they largely remained open and well managed at this difficult time.”
