The Blue Flag is a voluntary eco-label awarded to over 3200 beaches and marinas in 37 countries across Europe, South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean.

The Blue Flag Programme is owned and run by the independent non-profit organisation Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).

The Blue Flag works towards sustainable development at beaches/marinas through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.

The Blue Flag Programme includes environmental education and information for the public, decision makers and tourism operators.

Contact Blue Flag
• IRELAND
An Taisce
Environmental Education Unit
5A Swift's Alley
Francis Street
Dublin 8
Telephone: +353 1 400 2210
Fax: +353 1 400 2285
Mail: blueflag@antaisce.org
Web:www.antaisce.org
Blue Flag operator: Jimmy McVeigh

• INTERNATIONAL
Blue Flag
Scandiagade 13
DK-2450 Copenhagen SV
Denmark
Tel: +45 33 28 04 09
Email: coordination@blueflag.org
http://www.blueflag.org 

The Bluestack group is located in in the bluestack Mountain range, in the Southwest of County Donegal.

Its main objectives are to promote and enhance the Cultural Heritage and the environment in this area, called the Bluestack Mountains, and to protect the wilderness status of parts of the area.

The Bog of Allen Nature Centre is being developed by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council (IPCC) as an international centre for peatland education, conservation and research.
The centre is open all year round for school and special interest visits.

Bog of Allen Nature Centre
Irish Peatland Conservation Council,
Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare

Tel 045-860133
Fax 045-860148

e-mail: bogs@ipcc.ie
web-site: www.ipcc.ie

The concept of Burrenbeo emerged in early 2002 in response to a real need for a one-stop information resource for the Burren. Burrenbeo has lead and organised many walks in the region and has commissioned research into options for the strategic and sustainable approach to the management of the Burren.

Burrenbeo would be delighted to hear from you.
Please contact Burrenbeo by the following methods:

Post:
Burrenbeo Trust Ltd.
Main Street
Kinvara
Co.Galway
Ireland

phone: +00353(0)91638096

email: info@burrenbeo.com
URL: www.burrenbeo.com

Tourist Information Centre
Carrickfergus Museum & Civic Centre
Antrim Street
Carrickfergus,
County Antrim
BT38 7DG

Tel: +44 (0)28 9335 8049
Fax: 028 9335 0350
Email: touristinfo@carrickfergus.org

Colin Glen Trust is a commercially viable, cross community organisation, committed to the development and management of the Colin River Valley, from its source to the Lagan, benefiting the community through:
- promoting application and use of the natural resources of the Glen
- the provision of leisure services
- the creation of employment and the provision of training

Colin Glen Trust
Forest Park Centre
163 Stewartstown Road
Dunmurry
Belfast
BT17OHW
Tel: 028 9061 4115
Fax: 028 9060 1694
www.colinglentrust.org

Countryside Recreation based at Lough Neagh Discovery Centre develops opportunities for people to enjoy the environment including urban green spaces and countryside trails.
Providing for both gentle walks and more challenging activities, the unit focuses on contributing to a healthy & sustainable Craigavon. Working closely with communities, pressure groups, government departments and developers, grant aid is drawn down to develop projects that explore the rich heritage of the Borough and help regenerate areas.
Projects recently developed include the Craigavon Lakes Mountain Bike Trail (the first formal mountain bike trail in NI), canoe landing stages on the Cusher/Bann River system to open up the waterways to paddlers, and the establishment of the Craigavon Cycle Forum.

Drumming Centre West Cork
Thomas Wiegandt
Ballybane, Ballydehob
Co. Cork
Tel./Fax 028-37323
www.geocities.com
drum2@eircom.net

Cycling in Dublin: get involved in the cycling Campaign

Cycling is a good way of green mobility and quite economic. In Dublin is not so even difficult the paths are smooth. Getting involved in the local community is a good way to discover which the next steps towards a better cycling mobility are. First of all: Dublin needs safer bikes paths and to increase the number of it. The Dublin Cycling Campaign, the DCC, it meets every months since the 1990s. It’s a very active group that with campaigns and submissions is trying to raise awareness around the cycling issue. The last campaign was regarding a cycle way on the proposed Liffey Valley Bridge, and highlights all the weak point of the cycle ways in the surroundings.
Among the achieved goals of the group there are the:
• 30 km/h speed limit in Dublin city centre and residential areas
• Restrictions on heavy goods vehicles in the city centre
• Public bicycle parking provision in the city centre
• Bicycle policy audit (BYPAD) for Dublin City Council
• Representatives on transport strategic planning committees in Dublin City and Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown
• Establishment of cycle forum for Dublin City
Using a bicycle it means to improve the mobility, transport efficiency in an economical and environmental manner. The more the cyclist become a “critical mass” the more the city will become safer and greener place.
A sustainable transport leads to enable the future generations to meet their needs. It’s a good idea to start to become a part of the green critical mass!

Dublin Cycling Campaign
PO Box 10295
Dublin 6W

David Maher at (086) 3475357

Derek Peppard at (086) 811 8447

www.ecotravellogue.com
eco@logueit.com

For all other enquiries about Eco Travel Logue, please contact the BootsnAll Travel Network.
Ph: +1 (503) 528-1005
Fax: +1 (503) 288-2424

Forest Link,
Donegal County Council,
Public Services Centre,
Dungloe, Co. Donegal, Ireland.

Tel. : (074) 9561300
e-mail: info@forest-link.com

The Forest Service is an Executive Agency within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. In carrying out its remit, the Agency is subject to the overall direction of the Minister with responsibility for the Department.
The aims of the Agency set out in the Framework Document are:
“to contribute to the economic development of the entire forestry sector in Northern Ireland, whilst at the same time promoting the sustainable management of forests for multiple use and conserving and enhancing the rural environment”.

This travel company is famous for its walking, cycle and adventure tours in Ireland.

e-mail: info@govisitireland.com

Ireland’s built and natural heritage enriches our understanding of history. Trace this history from our earliest civilisation to the birth of our modern nation through the centuries in between. Increasingly, international attention is being focused on the preservation of the world’s natural and built heritage. National parks and other protected areas are part of a global network.
Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre interprets the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. The extensive exhibition includes a full scale replica of the chamber at Newgrange as well as a full model of one of the smaller tombs at Knowth.

Brú na Bóinne Visitor Centre
Newgrange and Knowth
Donore,
Co. Meath.

Telephone No: +353 41 988 0300
Fax No: +353 41 982 3071

Email: brunaboinne@opw.ie
www.heritageireland.ie

Accomplishing their mission through:
campaigning and lobbying;
education;
research;
restoring and rehabilitating natural habitats which otherwise would be neglected;
providing conservation services and training;
participating in and contributing to national and international forums for the protection of biodiversity;
working in co-operation with other Environmental organisations towards the common goal of conservation;
consulting with industry, agriculture and development to maintain conservation of our natural heritage;
working to ensure the favourable conservation status of our protected areas by highlighting transgressions before the national and European court systems;
working with local authorities in drafting policy and codes of best practice to ensure conservation of our natural heritage

Islandmagee Community Association
North Antrim Community Network
Old School House
Mill St, Cushendall
Co. Antrim, BT44 0RR,
Northern Ireland

Phone: +44 (0) 28 2177 2100
Fax: +44 (0) 28 2177 2129

The Kingfisher Cycle Trail
c/o Green Box
Manorhamilton Castle
Manorhamilton
Co. Leitrim
Ireland

Telephone: 07198 56898

The La Nua project works for the interests of Republican Ex Prisoners, activists, displaced persons and the families of all three groups living in counties Leitrim, West Cavan and North Roscommon.

La Nua
7 Main Street
Ballinamore
Co.Leitrim
Ireland

Phone:0719645748
www.lanua.net

Laois Tourism
County Hall
Portlaoise
County Laois
Ireland
+353 (0) 57 86 64132
info@laoistourism.ie

The MCI is the representative body for walkers and climbers in Ireland. It is recognised as the NGB (National Governing Body) for mountaineering by both the Irish Sports Council (ISC) and Sport Northern Ireland (SNI). Mountaineering includes hill walking, rock climbing, rambling, bouldering and alpinism.

Mourne Heritage Trust
87 Central Promenade
Newcastle
Co. Down
Northern Ireland BT33 0HH

Tel: 028 4372 4059 Fax: 028 4372 6493
Email: mht@mourne.co.uk

Main NACN office
Address: Old School House,
Mill St, Cushendall,
Co. Antrim, BT44 0RR,
Northern Ireland

Phone: +44 (0) 28 2177 2100
Fax: +44 (0) 217 72129
email: info@nacn.org

The Northern Ireland Countryside Access and Activities Network (CAAN) is an umbrella organisation, which brings together all groups and bodies, which have an interest in, or involvement in countryside recreation in Northern Ireland.
The Network was established in 1999 in response to the publication of Northern Ireland's first Countryside Recreation Strategy in November 1998. It is charged with the strategic development, management and promotion of countryside recreation across Northern Ireland.

The Coastal Zone at Portrush
8 Bath Road
Portrush
Co. Antrim
BT56 8AP
Tel: 028 7082 3600
Fax: 028 7082 3269

Quoile Countryside Centre
5 Quay Road
Downpatrick
BT30 7JB
Tel: 028 4461 5520
Fax: 028 4461 3280
www.ehsni.gov.uk

Torclare is one of the biggest sustainable travel-planers you can find for Ireland. You can find Accommodation, Activities, Food and Stores and much more things.

Website: www.tourclare.com
Email: jim@tourclare.com

The National Trust is a charity and is completely independent of Government.

They protect and open to the public over 300 historic houses and gardens and 49 industrial monuments and mills. But it doesn’t stop there. They also look after forests, woods, fens, beaches, farmland, downs, moorland, islands, archaeological remains, castles, nature reserves, villages - for ever, for everyone.

You can find in their website:

* fascinating houses, stunning gardens and beautiful countryside
* unique properties in outstanding locations for that perfect break

Visit: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh.htm

For a comprehensive list of accommodation, visit http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-global/w-localtoyou/w-northernireland/w-northernireland-holiday_accommodation.htm

Rowallane House
Saintfield Ballynahinch
Co Down
BT24 7LH
Reception / general tel: 028 9751 0721
Fax: 028 9751 1242
www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Sonairte is an interactive visitor centre promoting ecological awareness and sustainable living.

Sonairte, which is situated in a farm complex of noteworthy historical interest on the banks of the River Nanny near Laytown (Co. Meath), has developed steadily since it was originally established in terms both of its physical facilities and its standing as an environmental organization, visitor attraction and educational facility.
The site covers some seven acres and is leased to Sonairte by local farmer Luk Van Doorslaer. Many of the buildings on the site which were in serious disrepair have now been renovated to a high standard and the final part of the re-roofing is underway and will be completed by 2008/9.

In all aspects of renovation care has been taken to stay true to the green philosophy of the centre, particularly in the choice of building material and use of renewable energy and energy conservation where possible. The facilities that have been created have allowed Sonairte to become active in many diverse fields. The centre is run by a staff of local volunteers who bring a wide range of expertise to its management.

Sonairte,
The Ninch, Laytown,
Co. Meath

Telephone: 041 982 7572
E-mail: info@sonairte.org
Website: http://sonairte.org

Tourist Office
7 Mary Street
Ballycastle
Co. Antrim

Tel : 028 57 2076 2024