Five Fingal parks receive internationally recognised Prestigious Green Flag Awards

Fingal County Council has welcomed news that that five of its parks have received a prestigious Green Flag award for 2019, an internationally recognised quality mark for well managed public parks and open spaces.

Ardgillan Demesne, Malahide Demesne, Millennium Park in Blanchardstown, Santry Demesne and St Catherine’s Park were all awarded the honour at the awards ceremony held at Maynooth University.

And in further good news, Malahide Demesne also won the overall prize in the 2019 Pollinator Project category for its pollinator-friendly planting and gardening and its efforts to educate the public and to promote these efforts through its website and social media.

The Green Flag Award for Parks Scheme is an international standard for well managed public parks and green spaces. This year a record 60 Irish Parks and Gardens received the award, which is operated by An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit.

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.

Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien said: ‘I am immensely proud that five Parks across Fingal have been awarded the prestigious Green Flag. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Council staff who ensure that the Parks continue to be wonderful amenities for everyone who live and visit the County.

‘The very fact that the Parks are located right across Fingal shows the scale of the task involved in maintaining the demesnes and it is great to see them receive this deserved recognition.

“And of course closer to home, it is wonderful to see Malahide Demesne receive the overall Pollinator Project, particularly at a time when biodiversity and conservation are so important to maintaining our environment and natural heritage.”

Interim Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said: “This is great news and reflects the considerable energy and work across a number of departments within the Council to ensure our parks are maintained to the highest standards. We are justifiably proud of all of our parks and open spaces across Fingal, and we will continue to ensure that they are places for people, both young and old, to enjoy.”

Senior Parks Superintendent Kevin Halpenny said: “It is great to see the five Fingal parks receive the Green Flags. It is also pleasing to have won the Pollinator Project category for our work in Malahide Demesne. We are very committed to biodiversity in our parks and open spaces and we strive to enhance the natural habitat for the variety of species found in them.”

Director of Operations David Storey said: ‘Fingal County Council is continually working to ensure our parks are maintained to the highest of standards, and I am delighted to see that the hard work and dedication of staff has been recognised by An Taisce.”   

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Caption: Malahide Demesne won the overall prize in the 2019 Pollinator Project category for its pollinator-friendly planting and gardening and its efforts to educate the public and to promote these efforts through its website and social media. Pictured are: Mayor of Fingal Cllr Eoghan O’Brien with Fingal County Council’s Director of Operations David Storey, and council staff, Caroline Power, Colin Gilhooley, Cornelia Raftery, Pascal Murphy, Tony Masterson and Evaristus Okafor.