Ireland’s best public parks and gardens awarded green flags

The 2021 Green Flag Awards were announced today by An Taisce Environmental Education, acknowledging Ireland’s best public Parks and Gardens

The international accreditation for public park excellence in Ireland increased this year with more than 100 accredited public green spaces.

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

The Green Flag Awards for the best parks and gardens to visit in Ireland have surged and saw 32 local authorities and park operators delivering the international scheme.

New green flag parks and gardens include first-time sites from Counties Carlow, Meath, and Galway, as well as from Cork City. 

The Green Flag Award Scheme is awarded for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions.

It is the mark of a quality park or green space and is recognised throughout the world.

This year saw more than 2,300 public sites in 16 countries around the world achieve Green Flag or Green Flag Community Award status.

Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage, Malcolm Noonan commended the Green Heritage Accreditation and said it widens the pool of sites that can participate in the programme and highlights the multifaceted nature of Ireland's green spaces.

"It celebrates best practice in engagement with multi-layered heritage and reminds us all of our responsibility to appreciate and preserve richness and diversity of the green spaces that surround us." he added.

The Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien said the Department of Rural and Community Development has supported An Taisce with the expansion of the Green Flag into community-run spaces since 2018.

"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." added Minister O'Brien.

The Minister extended his thanks to 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. It is a great credit that they largely remained open and well managed at this difficult time." he added. 

GREEN FLAGS AWARDED:

Abbeyfeale Community Leisure Ltd Páirc Cois Féile / Abbeyfeale Park
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Cavan County Council: Cavan Burren Park
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Clare County Council: John O’Sullivan Park
Clare County Council Shannon Town Park
Clare County Council Tim Smythe Park               
Clare County Council Vandeleur Walled Gardens
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Cork City Council Fitzgerald’s Park
Cork City Council Shalom Park
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Donegal County Council Barrack Hill Town Park
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Dublin City Council Albert College Park
Dublin City Council Blessington Street Park
Dublin City Council Bushy Park
Dublin City Council Father Collins Park
Dublin City Council Herbert Park
Dublin City Council Markievicz Park
Dublin City Council Poppintree Park
Dublin City Council Saint Anne's Park
Dublin City Council Saint Audoen's Park
Dublin City Council Saint Patrick's Park
Dublin City Council Weaver Park
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Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Blackrock Park       
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Cabinteely Park
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Deansgrange Cemetery        
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Deerpark 
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Marlay Park
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council People’s Park
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Shanganagh Park             
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Fingal County Council Ardgillan Demesne                 
Fingal County Council Malahide Demesne                
Fingal County Council Millennium Park    
Fingal County Council Newbridge House and Farm     
Fingal County Council Santry Demesne                
Fingal County Council Saint Catherine’s Park     
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Galway City Council Children’s Millennium Park
Galway City Council Quinncentennial Park
Galway County Council The Palace Grounds
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Kerry County Council Childers Park & Woodlands 
Kerry County Council Tralee Bay Wetlands
Kerry County Council Tralee Town Park 
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Kildare County Council Liffey Linear Park Newbridge     
Maynooth University/Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth Campus
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Laois County Council Páirc an Phobail Portlaoise
Laois County Council Peoples Park Portarlington                 
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Limerick Council The Peoples Park Limerick
Limerick Council Lough Gur Lakeshore Park and Visitor Centre
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Longford County Council, The Mall                   
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Louth County Council Blackrock Community Park                 
Louth County Council Ice House Hill Park                  
Louth County Council Saint Helena Park              
Louth County Council Saint Dominic’s Park
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Mayo County Council             Jackie Clarke Collection Heritage Garden
Mayo County Council             Turlough Park 
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Midland Amenity Park Dún na Sí Amenity & Heritage Park
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National Parks and Wildlife Service Connemara National Park
National Parks and Wildlife Service Glenveagh National Park
National Parks and Wildlife Service Killarney House and Gardens                                                
National Parks and Wildlife Service Ballycroy Visitor Centre – Wild Nephin National Park 
National University of Ireland Galway National University of Ireland Galway Campus
North Mayo Heritage Centre  Enniscoe
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Offaly County Council Lloyd Town Park Tullamore                 
Office of Public Works Altamont House and Gardens 
Office of Public Works Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
Office of Public Works Castletown Demesne         
Office of Public Works Derrynane Historic Park     
Office of Public Works Fota Arboretum & Gardens     
Office of Public Works Garinish Island                      
Office of Public Works Grangegorman Military Cemetery
Office of Public Works Irish National War Memorial Gardens
Office of Public Works The Iveagh Gardens
Office of Public Works The Phoenix Park Victorian Walled Garden                  
Office of Public Works Saint Stephen's Green
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Sport Ireland National Sports Campus             Sport Ireland Campus
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South Dublin County Council Corkagh Park          
South Dublin County Council Rathfarnham Castle Park
South Dublin County Council Sean Walsh Park    
South Dublin County Council Tymon Park
South Dublin County Council Waterstown Park
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Waterford City and County Council Kilbarry Nature Park
Waterford City and County Council Waterford Greenway
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Waterford Institute of Technology Waterford Institute of  Technology Sports Campus
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Westmeath County Council             Mullingar Town Park
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Wexford County Council             Pearse Park - New Ross                    
Wexford County Council             The New Ross Library Park         
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Wicklow County Council Glendalough Cemeter

The Green Heritage Site Accreditation is awarded to public green spaces of historical importance, that actively understand, manage, and promote their heritage which makes them unique.

Green Heritage Site Accreditation:

Maynooth University/Saint Patrick’s College   - Maynooth Campus    
Mayo County Council - Turlough Park
National Parks and Wildlife Service - Connemara National Park                                                                       
National Parks and Wildlife Service  - Killarney House and Gardens   
North Mayo Heritage Centre Enniscoe    
Office of Public Works - Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre
Office of Public Works - Irish National War Memorial Gardens