Blue Flags 2025: Record number of Irish beaches given top award – see the full list
A record number of Irish beaches and marinas have been awarded a blue flag for the 2025 bathing season.
The environmental group An Taisce gave blue flag status to 89 beaches, beating the previous record of 85, while 10 marinas also got the award.
Advertisement
Kerry is the county with the most blue flags with 15, followed by Donegal with 14.
Several beaches regained their blue flag after missing out in recent years, including Cappagh Pier in Co Clare, Céibh an Spidéal in Co Galway, Ballymoney North beach in Co Wexford, and Tramore and Dunmore East in Co Waterford.
Keel Beach on Achill Island in Co Mayo was awarded a blue flag for the 37th consecutive year.
One of the world's most recognised eco-labels, the blue flag programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the globe.
Advertisement
The green coast award was given to 70 beaches for 2025, matching the record-setting total awarded last year. This award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Such sites are classified as exceptional places to visit and enjoy Ireland's rich coastal heritage and diversity.
The green coast awards also recognise the work of coastal groups, which are comprised of thousands of volunteers who participate in community clean-ups.
Ten beaches were awarded both the blue flag and green coast award: Fountainstown and Inchydoney East beach in Co Cork; Balcarrick, Donabate in Fingal; Salthill and Silverstrand beaches in Galway City; Trá Inis Oírr in Co Galway; Baile an Sceilg in Co Kerry; Bettystown in Co Meath; and Enniscrone and Rosses Point beach in Sligo.
The 2025 awards were presented by Minister for Housing and Heritage James Browne at a ceremony held in the Ravenport Resort in Curracloe, Co Wexford, on Friday afternoon.
Advertisement
"Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy," he said.
"Presenting these awards on a great day in Curracloe and – in the current good weather - anticipating the happy days ahead for so many families on this very beach over the summer, I am particularly proud that the beautiful beaches and marinas from around my own home county of Wexford are amongst those recognised today."
Cathy Baxter, director of education and community action at An Taisce, said there were an unprecedented number of sites receiving awards this year.
"We would like to congratulate all the local authorities, marina operators and Clean Coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded beaches and marinas to the excellent standards required," she said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
3 hours ago
- Times
Paradise found: these unspoilt islands off the Irish coast offer otherworldly charm
Go for a taste of cinematic sci-fi These pinnacles of rock make for an adventurous day trip with a hit of history and the austerity of the long-abandoned monastic settlement from the 6th century AD. The fact that it posed as the backdrop for the iconic end scene in Star Wars: The Force Awakens might persuade the teens to go with you, too. The one-hour-plus boat journey can be a little hairy, but you're likely to spot dolphins swimming alongside your boat and it's well worth the trip and the steep climb to the top to marvel at the dramatic scenery, the colony of puffins that breed there, the monastic huts and to sit in the same spot as Luke Skywalker. Go to stretch the legs Getting to the 6.5 km long by 1.5 kmwide island is an adventure in itself as you traverse Dursey Sound on Ireland's only cable car, swaying above the rolling Atlantic. You may even be sharing with some sheep since they make up most of the inhabitants on this tiny island, along with colonies of seabirds. Despite its compact size it offers great landscapes and trails for walkers, who come to ramble the Beara Way walking trail. With no shops or restaurants, you'll need to bring supplies, and you're encouraged to embrace the slower pace of life: gentle rambling, birdwatching and those spectacular views of the Beara peninsula. Go for rugged adventuring Ireland's west coast is so breathtaking, it's worth cramming in more than one island and you'll be well served with the Aran Islands. The three windswept isles — Inishmore, Inishmaan and Inisheer — off the Galway coast are as rugged as they come and are easily accessible thanks to the rapid ferry service that zips between them. The islands are small, perfect for family exploring and can be navigated by bikes, which can be hired locally. Inishmore, one of the locations for the Oscar-winning The Banshees of Inisherin, is as stunning off screen as on. Inishmaan, while small, packs a mighty punch with the Inis Meain suites — a clutch of luxury suites overlooking the Atlantic, while the even smaller Inisheer is a walker's paradise. Pack a picnic and hit the beaches, cycle or climb the 2,000-year-old ruins of Dun Aengus fort on Inishmore. • 100 Great Places to Stay in Ireland 2025 Go for a slow, sustainable weekend There's a sense of the edge of the world about the weather-beaten and wild Cape Clear, Ireland's southernmost inhabited island, perhaps because it was the last slice of home seen by thousands of Irish emigrants as they sailed to America. And not much has changed since the 19th century, as it continues its 'slow tourism' spirit. Milk the goats and sample the homemade ice cream at Cleire Goats visitor farm, bag yourself some local pottery at the harbour craft shop or sample some local gin at the Cape Clear Distillery. A short walk around the harbour will bring you to an enclosed bay where you can kayak through sea arches, and if you're on the island in September you can settle in for some grand tales at the Storytelling Festival. Go for the headspace This visit requires some planning if you're to make it out and back before the tide creeps in, but the reward for making it is a wild and free experience on an island measuring just 2.25km by 1km. It won't take you long to get around, but it makes for a nice summer day trip. Head to Carty's Strand at the back of the island, where you can swim, flake out on the sand for the day or spend it surfing (it's known for its great rollers), before heading to the one and only pub, Michael J Ward's, open from May to September. The RNLI encourages people to text Coney to 51155 to find out the safe crossing times for that day, but you could always bring a tent and try some wild camping — there are worse places to be stranded. Go for sealife spotting You may have to jostle your way through the hundreds of seals and dolphins fringing the island as the ferry pulls into the pier on Sherkin. It's not hard to see the appeal. For such a small island (4.8km long) it still delivers enough to keep you interested and active for a day trip: sandy beaches, walking trails, a Franciscan friary, a lighthouse and the Jolly Roger pub for a post-walk pint. There's not much in the way of food offerings here, so pack some snacks and enjoy the peace and quiet — the pace is slow and eminently chilled and life is simple. • Where to bring your teenagers for a screen-free weekend break Go for some deep-sea diving You can escape the bustle of the mainland at Ireland's most remote inhabited island, with its population of just 141 people. Wild in terms of its accessibility, lore and legend, Tory has a long, fascinating history that begins in prehistoric times with evidence of early settlements and ancient artefacts discovered there and the ruins of St Colmcille's 6th-century monastery. And it continues to this day with a Gaeltacht community who still consider themselves to be 'foreigners' on the mainland and who will regale you with stories, music and traditions. There's plenty here to keep you active, but it's probably best known as being a diver's dream with vertical cliff walls, crystal-clear rocky bottom, and caverns to explore. Go for the gardens If you didn't get to Italy but fancy a slice of the Italian outdoors, you can take the short hop from Glengarriff to Garnish Island in Bantry Bay. Created by the architect Annan Bryce and the garden designer Harold Peto 110 years ago, the luscious Italianate gardens are an enchanting mix of manicured and wild landscapes, designed to bring pleasure to visitors throughout the year and teeming with exotic species, vivid rhododendrons and azaleas, climbing plants and perennials. A sunken ornate pool, a Grecian temple and an Italian tea house complete the Mediterranean vibe. Look out for the colony of seals lazing on the rocks as you board the boat for home. Go for remote wilderness There's something appealing about exploring a remote island that few people have seen before, and the spectacularly rugged Clare Island in Clew Bay is as peripheral as it comes, but not so much that you might be twiddling your thumbs. You can spend your days walking, swimming, camping, cycling or hiking Knockmore Mountain. There's plenty of heritage here too, it being the home of the pirate queen Grace O'Malley, who ruled over the western seaboard from her now ruined castle and is said to be buried in the Cistercian abbey. A handful of accommodation options, including Clare Island lighthouse, Bayview House and a glut of B&Bs, means you can overnight and grab breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Clare Island Oven, which serves the gamut of tasty goods from breakfast focaccia to pizza. Go for the birdwatching The Saltees, off the Wexford coast, are home to Ireland's most famous bird sanctuary, and the Neale family, who grant permission to day-trippers to visit the otherwise uninhabited island. If you get there between April and July you'll catch the 2,000 puffins that live on the island, as well as lolloping seals and freewheeling seabirds, including gannets, razorbills and kittiwakes. The island is also known as the Graveyard of a Thousand Ships thanks to the myriad vessels that sank off its coast. Pack a picnic and take a ramble with your binoculars. You might even spot Prince Michael Neale's former throne, which he erected to himself as the 'king' of the Saltees.
BreakingNews.ie
11 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Blue-green algae from Lough Neagh displayed during Belfast Photo Festival
The plight of Lough Neagh is being highlighted by a major festival with blue-green algae from the lough being displayed in a water cooler. Images of the toxic substance are also being shown on digital billboards as part of the Belfast Photo Festival. Advertisement Blue-green algae returned to Lough Neagh in April after noxious blooms covered large swathes of the freshwater lake during the previous two summers and also affected other waterways and beaches in the region. The stark highlighting of the issue comes as this year's festival focuses on 'biosphere'. Five photographers collaborated with conservation groups and local communities across Northern Ireland to visualise the fragility and beauty of the natural heritage, with focus on Lough Neagh, peatland, marine areas, the wider Belfast Hills, and temperate rainforests. The co-curated narratives and photographic works are being showcased and discussed across 10 exhibitions and more than 12 events in Belfast and throughout Northern Ireland as part of this year's festival. Advertisement Shallow Waters by Joe Laverty, which is on display at Antrim Lough Shore and on digital billboards across Belfast, focuses on Lough Neagh. Toby Smith, a director at Belfast Photo Festival, said the images show the urgency of their exhibitions. 'As Belfast Photo Festival 2025 launches, we are displaying images of Lough Neagh's toxic blue-green algae on digital billboards across the city,' he said. 'These striking visuals mark the urgency of our exhibitions on Northern Ireland's natural heritage. Advertisement 'Already, small blooms are appearing around the lough, a warning of the widespread danger, disruption and public concern experienced in previous years. 'These images are not only a warning, but a reflection of how the root causes of this environmental crisis remain unaddressed.' He said three deactivated water coolers filled with contaminated water from the lough and safely sealed have been installed at their Photobook Library in Botanic Gardens, the Ulster Museum and at Belfast Exposed. 'Clearly branded with official public health warning stickers, these installations – which contain algal bloom, slurry scum from tributaries, and water from industrial outflow – complement the Shallow Waters project and offer a visceral encounter with the pollution entering a vital ecosystem and the source of around 40 per cent of Northern Ireland's drinking water,' he added. Advertisement Artist Laverty said he wanted to tell the story of the lough, which he said was 'dying in front of us'. 'It is fighting a perfect storm of largely man-made conditions that threaten to destroy its ecosystem,' he said. 'Decades of pollution from intensive farming and industry, an inefficient wastewater management system, and industrial sand dredging, coupled with the invasion of zebra mussels and the lough's naturally shallow waters, have resulted in an annual bloom of toxic blue-green algae which results in the lough being out of bounds for most people for nearly half the year. 'This mismanagement of what should be the jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland's natural heritage has resulted in an environmental catastrophe, causing a dramatic loss of habitat and species around the lough. It's a real blow to our heritage and tradition. Advertisement 'It has also seen a loss of livelihood for many people, particularly the eel fishers, who have had their season temporarily paused after only a few weeks this year because of the quality of the catch. 'With Shallow Waters, I am trying to weave a thread of connection between the tradition of the lough, and the impact of heavy industry and intensive farming which are hugely problematic for the lough's future. I have tried to take a long, slow look at the lough, photographing around the edges of the issues, to find a quieter truth in amongst people's stories and the landscape. 'Photography, at its best, is about storytelling, and I really believe there is a story worth telling about Lough Neagh.' The festival features animated public spaces in Belfast and beyond, with exhibitions from a host of local and international visual artists alongside a programme of partner exhibitions, talks, workshops and screenings. This year's festival, which is supported by Arts Council Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Adam Mickiewicz Institute, Fluxus, and Alexander Boyd Displays invites viewers to explore new imagery, commissions and projects that spark positive change in how we view and inhabit our shared Earth. Belfast Photo Festival runs until June 30th. For more information, visit
BreakingNews.ie
13 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
First quarter of 2025 sees Irish residents take 2.9 million overnight trips within the State
Irish residents took 2.9 million overnight trips within the State in quarter 1 (Q1) of 2025, reflecting a 16 per cent increase compared with the same period in 2o24. This is according to the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) Household Travel Survey, which measures national tourism. Advertisement In Q1 2025, the main reason for taking domestic overnight trips was to visit friends or relatives (42 per cent), followed by holiday purposes (36 per cent). Travel for business purposes made up seven per cent of total domestic overnight trips. The most popular region visited by Irish residents on overnight trips in Q1 2025 was the Southern region (Clare, Tipperary, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford, Cork, and Kerry), accounting for 1 million trips. The Northern and Western region (Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon) had the least number of domestic overnight trips (0.8 million trips). Estimated spending by Irish residents on these overnight trips was €2.2 billion, an increase of six per cent compared with €2.1 billion in the same quarter in 2024. Advertisement The number of nights spent on the trips was 13.8 million, an increase of six per cent versus Q1 2024, with an average length of stay of 4.7 nights. The number of domestic trips where a hotel was the main accommodation type increased from 1 million trips in Q1 2024 to 1.2 million trips in Q1 2025. Commenting on the release, statistician in the tourism and travel division, Aaron Costello, said: 'The figures provide information on domestic and outbound travel by Irish residents in the months of January, February and March (Q1) 2025. "The number of nights spent on domestic overnight trips taken in Q1 2025 was 10 per cent lower than in the same period in 2024. "In Q1 2025, friends or relatives were the main type of accommodation used in 43 per cent of domestic trips, closely followed by hotels (42 per cent). Self-catering or rented properties were reported as the main type of accommodation in five per cent of domestic trips."
