Lough Gur receives their first-ever Green Flag Award 

Lough Gur Green Flag – Pictured at the raising of the Lough Gur Green Flag is  L-R Gavin Sheehan, Nuala Gallagher, Carmel Lynch and Donie Coffee all from Limerick City & County Council, Mayor Daniel Butler, (FR) Lough Gur National School Students, (BR) John Carew and Kate Harrold.

Lough Gur receives their first-ever Green Flag Award 

By I Love Limerick Correspondent Ann Mc Donald

Mayor Daniel Butler with students from Lough Gur National School at the Lough Gur Green Flag

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Lough Gur has been awarded a Green Flag in recognition of the exceptional work carried out by Limerick City and County Council at the Lakeshore Park over the previous two years. 

The park was officially conferred with the international mark of quality for parks and green spaces. 

Lough Gur joins the People’s Park in Limerick city, which is also managed by Limerick City and County Council, and Abbeyfeale Town Park, which is managed by Abbeyfeale Community Leisure Ltd, in flying the flag proudly, along with 2,300 other public parks in 16 countries. 

Assessment criteria for the Green Flag Award include visible evidence of management in the areas of marketing and communication, a warm welcoming approach, heritage and biodiversity, and community involvement. 

Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr. Daniel Butler, who formally raised the Lough Gur green flag, said, “Local authorities willingly apply for a Green Flag Award knowing that from the day the park is nominated it sets an international standard for maintaining and operating the park as a public facility for all Limerick citizens to enjoy.

“I congratulate Limerick City and County Council on putting Lough Gur forward for this award. The Lough Gur green flag award not only signals the exceptional work that they have done to date but also their commitment to maintaining standards year on year. 

“The Green Flag Award must be applied for each year and what we have found from the People’s Park Green Flag designation is that the annual application ensures there is continuous improvement. In Lough Gur, the presence of the Visitor Centre, Kiosk, and Playground onsite, managed by the Lough Gur Development community group, ensures a daily presence by the community who have the best interests of the area at heart.

“Their involvement in maintaining standards for a Green Flag Award is also acknowledged here today by raising this Green Flag. Congratulations to all involved.” 

Gordon Daly, Director of Community, Tourism & Culture with Limerick City and County Council said, “The public park in Lough Gur is located at the heart of a vibrant community committed to promoting and protecting the rich heritage and biodiversity surrounding this lakeside. 

“Lough Gur is also an important tourism amenity for Limerick. The management of facilities by the community with full support from Limerick City and County Council has led to continued improvement of Lough Gur for the community and all visitors to enjoy. The official raising of a Green Flag Award is clear evidence of the hard work carried out by all involved to bring Lough Gur to this award-winning position.”

Carmel Lynch, Senior Engineer for Limerick City and County Council with responsibility for Recreation added, “The importance of public parks became increasingly important since March 2019. The pandemic saw a return to these public spaces on a scale that was not experienced previously. 

“We welcome this increased enjoyment of public parks and have worked to improve how people enjoy these spaces. In response to the growing number of visitors to Lough Gur, several upgrades and improvement works were carried out including trail resurfacing, replacement seating, public facility refurbishments, increased maintenance, and working with the local community group to support their efforts such as the installation of a new playground and kiosk. We look forward to applying for the Green Flag Award on an annual basis and seeing continued improvement in Lough Gur.” 

John Carew, Chairperson of the Community Committee ended the event by reciting a poem that he had written and thanked Limerick City and County Council profusely for the hard work they do to maintain Lough Gur as one of their public parks to the highest international standard.  

In total, Ireland was awarded a total of 103 Green Flag sites this year, including 84 formal public Green Flag Park sites, and 19 volunteer-run Green Community Sites.

The Green Flag is awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions and is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world. 

The Green Flag Awards are judged every year by a peer jury of green space experts, who volunteer their time to visit applicant sites and assess them against eight strict criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability, and community involvement.

The Green Flag Community Award Scheme in Ireland is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development.

For more about Lough Gur go HERE  

For more stories about Lough Gur go HERE

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