People across the South Roscommon/ Westmeath area must make their voices heard when it comes to achieving a blue flag designation for Lough Ree beaches.
That's according to local community activist Flan Barnwell, who believes the area would benefit massively from the award of the status.
He's calling on locals to show their support of the process for getting swimming spots such as Hodson Bay and Coosan Point ready to meet award standards.
In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.
Flan Barnwell believes any designation of a Blue Flag would be a major advantage to drawing in tourists which would in turn, see added economic benefit.
Speaking to Shannonside News, the local man says it can only happen if people get behind it:
To my mind I can't see why anyone would be unenthusiastic about it and we were prepared to do the running of it with An Taisce but maybe even at this stage if people wake up and say "ok we didn't sign the petition but it's an area worth pursuing" then fair enough, I might renew an interest in it. At the same time there's not much point in flogging a dead horse if you don't see a bit of of enthusiasm or interest in it"
