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Irish Times
16-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Blue flags: Record number of Irish beaches and marinas win award for 2025
A record 149 beaches and 10 marinas across Ireland have been awarded a blue flag for this year's bathing season by the environmental group An Taisce . The international blue flag programme requires that beaches and marinas awarded the blue flag for the upcoming season have achieved 'excellent' bathing water quality in the most recent annual classification. A total of 10 beaches achieved both a blue flag and a green coast award, while a record-equalling 70 beaches received the green coast award for 2025, which 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. Dual award recipients were: Balcarrick in Fingal, Co Dublin ; Salthill and Silver strand in Galway city, An Trá on Inis Oírr, Co Galway; Fountainstown and Inchydoney beach east in Co Cork ; Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Co Kerry ; Bettystown, Co Meath , and Enniscrone and Rosses Point in Co Sligo . READ MORE The only beach to lose it blue flag was Golden strand on Achill Island, Co Mayo , which was due to an accessibility issue. The blue flags total represents an increase of five on last year. The marina at Greencastle, Co Donegal , got back blue flag status, while Cappagh pier, Co Clare , Ballymoney north beach, Co Wexford and Counsellors' strand in Dunmore East and Tramore beach in Co Waterford regained their blue flags because their water quality improved to 'excellent'after losing them last year. The award flags were presented by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne at an event in Curracloe, Co Wexford, on Friday. '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,' he said. The country had come a long way from 1988 when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised with blue flags, he said. '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.' Cathy Baxter, director of education and community action at An Taisce, congratulated the local authorities, marina operators and clean coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded sites to the standards required. With 15, Kerry is the county with most blue flags, while Cork has the most green coast awards (14). Céibh an Spidéal in Co Galway has been awarded a blue flag for the first time since 2012, while Keel beach on Achill Island has been awarded one for the 37th consecutive year, confirming the status each season since it was first awarded. The blue flag and green coast programmes are supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The green coast awards promote involvement of voluntary clean coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage applicant beaches in co-operation with local authorities. Its main purpose is to foster partnerships within communities in an effort to protect and enhance local coastal environs.
BreakingNews.ie
16-05-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
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.
