A total of 14 Irish parks have been awarded with prestigious Green Flag awards for their excellence this year.
The coveted Green Flags are only awarded to parks across the world for exceeding tough environmental standards in green space management, and excellence of visitor attractions.
This year countries included; Australia, Belgium, Finland, Germany, Mexico, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
And of the parks met the standard this year there were more Green Flag Awards secured by Irish Parks and Gardens any country, other than the UK where the scheme originated in 1996.
In total 84 parks in the country have received an award.
Sites from Cavan, Donegal, and Waterford were all accredited for the first time this year.
Minister of State for Community Development and Charities Joe O’Brien said: “This year we have appreciated the importance of the public parks and gardens within our communities probably more than at any other time.
"They have supported us all in maintaining a significant quality of life during restrictions, uncertainty, and upset. Without our public parks and gardens our lives would have been much further reduced and confined.
"It is a great credit that they largely remained open and well managed at this difficult time.”
