Earlier today, An Taisce - the National Trust for Ireland - announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients in Ireland for 2023.
The environmental awards, which are given annually to beaches and marinas throughout the world, demonstrate good environmental standards.
This year, a record-breaking 159 awards (an increase of two awards compared to 2022) were presented by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr. Darragh O'Brien, TD at an awards ceremony held at the Shoreline Hotel.
During the ceremony, 84 beaches and 10 marinas in Ireland received the Blue Flag, while 65 beaches were awarded the Green Coast Award.
The Green Coast Award has achieved a noteworthy milestone by granting 65 awards for the 2023 bathing season. This is an increase of three awards compared to 2022 and the highest number of awards given since its establishment.
The three extra sites awarded were Carrowniskey Beach in Co Mayo, Bettystown in Co Meath, and Rosslare Harbour Beach in Co Wexford.
Blue Flag Beaches Awarded:
Clare County Council
- Ballycuggeran
- Fanore
- Kilkee
- Lahinch
- Mounshannon, Lough Derg
- Spanish Point
- White Strand Doonbeg
- White Strang Miltown Malbay
Cork County Council
- Barley Cove
- Fountainstown
- Garryluas, White Strand
- Inchydoney East Beach
- Inchdoney West Beach
- Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
- Redbarn
- Tragumna
- Youghal, Claycastle
- Youghal, Front Strand
Donegal County Council
- Culdaff
- Bundoran
- Carrickfinn
- Downings
- Fintra
- Killahoey
- Marble Hill
- Murvagh
- Naran
- Portsalon
- Rossnowlagh
- Stroove
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council
- Killiney
- Seapoint
Fingal County Council
- Balcarrick, Donabate
- Portmarnock, Velver Strand Beach
- Rush, South Beach
Galway City Council
- Salthill Beach
- Silverstrand Beach
Galway County Council
- An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán
- Bathing Place at Portumna
- Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór
- Loughrea Lake
- Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua
- Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach)
Kerry County Council
- Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)
- Ballybunion North Beach
- Ballybunion South Beach
- Ballyheigue
- Banna Strange
- Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane)
- Fenit
- Fionntrá (Ventry)
- Inch
- Kells
- Maharabeg
- Rossbeigh, White Strand
- White Strand, Caherciveen
Louth Country Council
- Clogherhead
- Port, Lurganboy
- Shelling Hill/Templetown
Mayo County Council
- Dooega Beach, Achill Island
- Dugort Beach, Achill Island
- Elly Bay, Belmullet
- Golden Strand, Achill Island
- Keel Beach, Achill Island
- Keem Beach, Achill Island
- Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet
- Mulranny Beach
- Ross Beach, Killala
- Bertra
- Clare Island, Louisburgh
- Old Head
Sligo County Council
- Rosses Point Beach
Waterford City & County
- Ardmore Beach
- Clonea Beach
- Tramore Beach
Wexford County Council
- Ballinesker
- Ballymoney North Beach
- Carne
- Curracloe
- Morriscastle
- Rosslare Strand
- Brittas Bay South
- Brittas Bay North
- Greystones South Beach
Blue Flag Marinas Awarded:
- Kinsale Yacht Club, Cork
- The Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina, Cork
- Kilrsh Marina, Clare
- Greencastle Marina, Donegal
- Rathmullan Marina, Donegal
- Fenit Marina, Kerry
- Portmagee Seasonal Pontoo, Kerry
- Quigley's Marina Killinure Point, Westmeath
- Kimore Quay Marina, Wexford
- New Ross Marina, Wexford
Green Coast Awards:
Clare County Council
- Bishops Quarter
- Ballyallia Lake
- Carrigaholt Beach
- Seafield
Cork County Council
- Ardnahinch, Shanagarry
- Red Strand
- Ballynamona Beach
- Inch Strand
- Ring
- Oysterhaven
- Ballyrisode
- Galley Cove
- Cadogan's Strand
- Garnish Beach, Lehanmore
- Dooneen Pier
- Fountainstown Beach
- Inchydoney East
- Rocky Bay
- Sherkin Island, Silver Strand Beach
Donegal County Council
- Ballyheirnan
- Dooey Beach
- Drumnatinney
- Magheroarty each
Fingal County Council
- Balcarrick Beach, Donabate
Galway City Council
- Salthill
- Silver Strand
Galway County Council
- Aillebrack/Silver Hill
- Renvyle Beach (The Whitestrand)
- Dumhach Beach
- East End Bay, Inisbofin
- Trá Inis Oirr
- Trá Poll na gCaorach, Inis Oirr
Kerry County Council
- Ballinskelligs
- Castlegregory
- Littor
- Béal Bán
- Louth County Council
- Seapoint Beach, Termonfeckin
Mayo County Council
- Rinroe
- Srah Beach
- Cross, Eris Peninsula
- Termon Beach
- Tránaun, Inishturk
- Carrowniskey Beach
Meath County Council
- Mornington
- Bettystown Beach
Sligo County Council
- Streedagh Beach
- Dunmoran Strand
- Rosses Point
Waterford City and County Council
- Annestown
- Ballyquin
- Curragh
- Goat Island Beach
- Guillamene Cove
- Newtown Cove, Tramore
- Kilfarrassey
Wexford County Council
- Baginbun Beach
- Ballyhealy
- Booley Bay
- Cahore Point Beach
- Cullenstown Strand
- Culleton's Gap
- Grange
- Old Bawn Beach
- St. Helen's Bay
- Rosslare Harbour Beach
