Earlier today, An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland - announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2022.
The Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised eco-labels. In total, eight countries operate the programme globally and more than 5,000 sites and tourism boats will be awarded the prestigious Blue Flag this year.
This year's awards were presented by Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State, with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform at a ceremony at Curracloe Beach, Co. Wexford.
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Blue Flag
2022 marks the 35th year that beaches and marinas have been awarded the Blue Flag here in Ireland, and the 95 beaches and marinas being awarded is the highest annual total to date.
The areas that have achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management.
Seven Irish beaches that made the cut this year but were not awarded in 2021 are: Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach) in County Galway; Fountainstown and Youghal Front Strand in County Cork; Balcarrick, Donabate and Rush, South Beach in Fingal; Ballybunnion North Beach in Kerry and Ballymoney North Beach, in County Wexford.
Furthermore, 79 of the 83 beaches awarded in 2021 retained Blue Flag Status for the 2022 bathing season.
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Green Coast Award
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
These sites are known to be exceptional places to visit, and an important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of Clean Coasts groups of which there are currently over 1,800 comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide.
This year, an incredible 62 beaches in Ireland received the Green Coast Award for the 2022 Bathing Season.
Highlights:
- Ballynamona Beach in County Cork was awarded a Green Coast Award for the first time this year.
- Cork is the county with the most Green Coast Award beaches once again in 2022 with 15 in total.
- Mornington in Meath and Oysterhaven in Cork, both last awarded in 2020, have been awarded for the 2022 season.
- Kilfarrassey in Waterford (last awarded in 2018) and Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal, (last awarded in 2016) have both been awarded for the upcoming season.
Blue Flag & Green Coast
Five stunning beaches in Ireland have managed to secure both a Blue Flag a Green Coast Award for the 2022 season, they are:
- Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal
- Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Kerry
- Salthill in Galway City
- Silverstrand in Galway City
- Trá Inis Oirr in Galway
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Blue Flag Beaches 2022:
- Clare County Council Ballycuggeran
- Clare County Council Cappagh Pier, Kilrush
- Clare County Council Fanore
- Clare County Council Kilkee
- Clare County Council Lahinch
- Clare County Council Mountshannon, Lough Derg
- Clare County Council Spanish Point
- Clare County Council White Strand Doonbeg
- Clare County Council White Strand Miltown Malbay
- Cork County Council Barley Cove
- Cork County Council Fountainstown
- Cork County Council Garretstown
- Cork County Council Garrylucas, White Strand
- Cork County Council Inchydoney East Beach
- Cork County Council Inchydoney West Beach
- Cork County Council Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
- Cork County Council Redbarn
- Cork County Council Tragumna
- Cork County Council Youghal, Claycastle
- Cork County Council Youghal, Front Strand
- Donegal County Council Culdaff
- Donegal County Council Bundoran
- Donegal County Council Carrickfinn
- Donegal County Council Downings
- Donegal County Council Fintra
- Donegal County Council Killahoey
- Donegal County Council Marble Hill
- Donegal County Council Murvagh
- Donegal County Council Naran
- Donegal County Council Portsalon
- Donegal County Council Rossnowlagh
- Donegal County Council Stroove
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Killiney
- Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council Seapoint
- Fingal County Council Balcarrick, Donabate
- Fingal County Council Portmarnock, Velvet Strand Beach
- Fingal County Council Rush, South Beach
- Galway City Council Salthill Beach
- Galway City Council Silverstrand Beach
- Galway County Council An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán
- Galway County Council Bathing Place at Portumna
- Galway County Council Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór
- Galway County Council Loughrea Lake
- Galway County Council Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua
- Galway County Council Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach)
- Kerry County Council Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)
- Kerry County Council Ballybunion North Beach
- Kerry County Council Ballybunion South Beach
- Kerry County Council Ballyheigue
- Kerry County Council Banna Strand
- Kerry County Council Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane)
- Kerry County Council Fenit
- Kerry County Council Fionntrá (Ventry)
- Kerry County Council Inch
- Kerry County Council Kells
- Kerry County Council Maharabeg
- Kerry County Council Rossbeigh, White Strand
- Kerry County Council White Strand, Caherciveen
- Louth County Council Clogherhead
- Louth County Council Port, Lurganboy
- Louth County Council Shelling Hill/Templetown
- Mayo County Council Dooega Beach, Achill Island
- Mayo County Council Dugort Beach, Achill Island
- Mayo County Council Elly Bay, Belmullet
- Mayo County Council Golden Strand, Achill Island
- Mayo County Council Keel Beach, Achill Island
- Mayo County Council Keem Beach, Achill Island
- Mayo County Council Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet
- Mayo County Council Mulranny Beach
- Mayo County Council Ross Beach, Killala
- Sligo County Council Rosses Point Beach
- Waterford City & County Council Ardmore Beach
- Waterford City & County Council Clonea Beach
- Waterford City & County Council Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East
- Waterford City & County Council Dunmore Strand, Dunmore East
- Waterford City & County Council Tramore Beach
- Wexford County Council Ballinesker
- Wexford County Council Ballymoney North Beach
- Wexford County Council Carne
- Wexford County Council Curracloe
- Wexford County Council Morriscastle
- Wexford County Council Rosslare Strand
- Wicklow County Council Bray South Promenade
- Wicklow County Council Brittas Bay North
- Wicklow County Council Greystones South Beach
Blue Flag Marinas:
- Cork Kinsale Yacht Club
- Cork The Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina
- Clare Kilrush Marina
- Donegal Greencastle Marina
- Donegal Rathmullan Marina
- Kerry Fenit Marina
- Kerry Portmagee Seasonal Pontoon
- Westmeath Quigley's Marina, Killinure Point
- Wexford Kilmore Quay Marina
- Wexford New Ross Marina
