OPW celebrate Green Flag Awards and Green Heritage Site awards

Today, An Taisce Environmental Education acknowledged Ireland’s best public parks and gardens with the announcement of the 2024 International Green Flag Awards.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) welcomed the news that 12 OPW sites were among a group of 120 Irish public parks, gardens and voluntary run green community sites across the Republic of Ireland who received their 2024 Green Flags. 

They operate across the country and many sites in Tipperary, such as the Rock of Cashel and the Swiss Cottage, are included in areas the OPW cover across the seasons.

For this award, the sites receiving Green Flags include the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Derrynane Historic Park as well as Altamount House and Gardens in Co. Carlow,

Also included are Fota Arboretum & Gardens and Garinish Island, Glebe House and Gallery in Co. Donegal, Grangegorman Military Cemetery, Irish National War Memorial Gardens, The Iveagh Gardens, Royal Hospital Kilmainham, St. Stephens Green and The Phoenix Park in Dublin.

In addition to the Green Flag award, the OPW received 6 Green Heritage Site Accreditation awards. These include Altamont House and Gardens, the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Derrynane Historical Park, Garinish Island, the Irish National War Memorial Gardens and Royal Hospital Kilmainham.

The Chairman of the OPW, John Conlon said: “I am delighted that many of our OPW sites have been awarded these flags, which highlights the wonderfully diverse parks in our care.

“These parks provide unique spaces for the public to enjoy and we in the OPW are proud that we continue to receive the recognition for the work and dedication that goes into the upkeep of these beautiful parks.

“I would particularly like to congratulate all the OPW staff whose hard work and commitment to each property has contributed towards these Awards.

“The OPW places great importance on the sustainable 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 Environmental Education in 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 key criteria, including biodiversity standards, cleanliness, health and safety, sustainability and community involvement.  

This International Scheme is in operation across Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Mexico, Mongolia, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.

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. The judging criteria also takes into account the different facilities offered, management strategies, and community engagement.