Today, An Taisce Environmental Education, acknowledged Ireland’s best public parks and gardens with the announcement of the 2021 International Green Flag Awards.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomed the news that 11 OPW sites were among a group of over 100 Irish public parks, gardens and voluntary run green community sites across the Republic of Ireland who received their 2021 Green Flags.
Fota Arboretum & Gardens and Garinish Island in County Cork were among the eleven OPW sites.
Garinish Island is located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay, Ilnacullin / Garinish Island. It is known around the world as an island garden of rare beauty due to the rarity and variety of the plants that grow there.
Managed by the OPW, Garinish Island (Ilnacullin) is a designed historic garden of international significance, with a world renowned plant collection and unique architectural heritage.
The property is a destination for local, national and international visitors.
In excess of 65,000 people visit Garinish Island annually and enjoy its gardens and also Bryce House, which was fully restored and opened to the public in 2015.
The second Cork OPW Site which was awarded a Green Flag was Fota House, Arboretum and Gardens which are located 12 km from Cork City in the shelter of Cork harbour.
The Arboretum contains an extensive collection of trees and shrubs.
The internationally recognised arboretum and gardens are open all year round and are a haven for relaxation and enjoyment.
“Fota” is derived from the Irish “Fód te” meaning warm soil – perfect for the growing and cultivation of rare trees and exotic plants.
Patrick O’Donovan TD, Minister of State with responsibility for the Office of Public Works said
“I am delighted to see that the OPW has been awarded these flags which highlights the wonderfully diverse parks in our care. Over the last 18 months, these beautiful green spaces have been a lifeline for the Irish public, as places to escape to and help with our wellbeing and mindfulness during this testing time. I particularly would like to congratulate all the OPW staff whose dedicated work and commitment to each property has contributed towards these Awards. The OPW places great importance on the sustainable environmental management and conservation of the State’s Heritage sites, and the Green Flag Awards scheme is a wonderful way of recognising and celebrating these high standards.”
The Green Flag Awards, administered by An Taisce in the Republic of Ireland, recognise and encourage the provision of good quality parks and green spaces that are managed in environmentally sustainable ways.
The awards are marked on eight criteria, including horticultural standards, cleanliness, sustainability and community involvement.
