Mayo is celebrating success at the 2022 Green Flag Awards, announced by An Taisce this week, acknowledging Ireland’s best public parks and gardens.
Only awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions, the Green Flag Award Scheme is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.
Mayo's Green Flag Award-winning Parks for 2022 are the Jackie Clarke Collection Heritage Garden, Turlough Park and Ballina Karen Community Garden and Balla Woodlands and Park (Balla CRD ), Ballyhaunis Community Garden (Ballyhaunis Abbey Partnership ) and the North Mayo Heritage Centre at Enniscoe.
Green Heritage Site Accreditation has been awarded to the Jackie Clare Collection Heritage Garden, Turlough Park and North Mayo Heritage Centre, Enniscoe with Balla Woodlands and Park, Ballina Karen Community Garden and Ballyhaunis Community Garden receiving Green Flag Community Awards.
Green Heritage Site Accreditation is awarded to freely accessible green spaces of historical and cultural significance, that actively understand, manage and promote their unique heritage. Sites are judged across key topics including being a welcoming, healthy, safe and secure place, being well maintained and clean and having site-specific management plans in place covering environmental management, management of biodiversity, landscape and heritage, community involvement and marketing and communication.
The Green Flag Community Award extends the Scheme to include community initiatives such as Community Gardens, Community Parks and Tidy Towns Projects. By providing community green spaces with access to Green Flag Award best practice, community groups are empowered to improve their local community and environment.
International accreditation for public park excellence in Ireland has increased again this year, to reach over 104 accredited public green spaces, comprised of 85 formal public Green Flag Park sites, along with 19 volunteer run Green Community Sites.
The Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Seamus Weir, welcomed the awards, commenting that: "It is fantastic to see such broad community support for such a wonderful competition. As a county Mayo, is blessed to have a wonderful network of Parks throughout the county for all to enjoy. The Green Flag Competition recognizes excellence standards achieved in these Parks. Well done to all involved!"
Local flag raising ceremonies will be organised by Mayo County Council’s Parks Department and Municipal Districts over the coming weeks at the winning locations.
