Revealed: Ireland's best beaches at the Blue Flag awards – as one county tops the list

Irish Independent

16-05-2025

Yesterday, a record number of Blue Flags were awarded around the country, with 89 beaches and 10 marinas securing the prestigious environmental award.
A total of 70 beaches also received the Green Coast Award for 2025, recognising a clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
Ten beaches across the country managed to achieve dual status, with both a Blue Flag and Green Coast Award, securing their status among the country's finest.
On this illustrious list were;
Cork was the county that achieved the most Green Coast Awards this year with 14, and the Rebel County also has the highest combined number of award flags with 27, including the Blue Flags awarded to Kinsale Yacht Club and The Royal Cork Yacht Club and 11 Blue Flags awarded to beaches managed by Cork County Council.
Only Cork was awarded more than the 10 Green Coast Awards handed to Wexford beaches this year, ensuring the sunny south-east also remains a go-to destination for beach lovers this summer.
In terms of Blue Flag beaches, major improvements were noted at Cappagh Pier in Clare; Counsellors' Strand in Dunmore East and Tramore Beach in Co Waterford and Ballymoney, North Beach, in Co Wexford.
The 89 beaches awarded Blue Flags represent 60pc of Ireland's identified bathing waters. This is the second highest percentage of identified bathing waters to receive a Blue Flag to date.
Some Blue Flags of note for 2025 included Céibh an Spidéal in Co Galway, which has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2012. Keel Beach on Achill Island in Co Mayo has been awarded a Blue Flag for the 37th consecutive year, the beach having retained its Blue Flag status each season since it was first awarded in 1989.
Three other beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag in 37 non-consecutive seasons, Clonea in Waterford and Banna and Ballyheigue, both in Co Kerry.
Kerry is the county with most Blue Flags in 2025 with 15. Fourteen of these are managed by Kerry County Council and one, Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons, is managed by Kilrush Maritime Ltd.
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The local authorities with most Blue Flag awarded sites are Kerry County Council and Donegal County Council, both have been awarded 14 Blue Flags this year.
It was appropriate that in glorious Wexford sunshine, a stone's throw from one of the country's finest beaches at Curracloe, Local Government Minister James Browne met with representatives of An Taisce to reveal the list of Ireland's Blue Flag beaches and marinas.
Delighted to see so many beaches and marinas in his home county feature on the list, Mr Browne noted the major strides being made in coastal communities right across the country.
'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,' he said.
'Given that the Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety, I am honoured to present a record number of awards today – 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards.
'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised.
'This didn't happen by magic. 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.'
Director of education and community action at An Taisce, Cathy Baxter added her congratulations to all the local authorities, marina operators and clean coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded beaches and marinas.