A record number of beaches and marinas have been awarded a Blue Flag this year.
A total of 89 beaches and ten marinas obtained the coveted accolade - five more than last year.
The Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised environmental awards and one of the most prestigious accolades in eco-tourism.
Beaches and marinas that achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management for the duration of the bathing season.
Céibh an Spidéil in Co Galway has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2012 and Cappagh Pier in Co Clare has been successful for the first time since 2013.
Keel Beach on Acaill in Co Mayo has been awarded a Blue Flag for the 37th consecutive year.
Three other beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag in 37 non-consecutive seasons comprising of Clonea in Waterford and Banna and Ballyheigue, both in Kerry.
Kerry is the county with most Blue Flags in Ireland. Some 15 locations in Kerry obtained the coveted status -14 of these are managed by Kerry County Council.
Donegal has the second most Blue Flags with 14 locations successful. Cork has 13, Mayo has 11 blue flags each (including four on Acaill), Galway has ten, Clare has ten and Wexford has eight.
Waterford has four, Louth has three, Wicklow has three, Dún Laoghaire Rathdown has two, Fingal has two, Sligo has two and Westmeath has one.
Westmeath is the only landlocked county to obtain a Blue Flag. Quigley's Marina at Killinure Point in Glasson along the River Shannon was awarded the Blue Flag Marina award.
Four privately operated marinas were awarded a Blue Flag for the 2025 season including: Quigley’s Marina, Kilrush Marina, Kinsale Yacht Club and the Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Record-equalling 70 beaches receive the Green Coast Award
An Taisce is also responsible for the awarding of the separate Green Coast Awards, which recognise a combination of a clean environment and natural beauty in addition to excellent water quality.
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the beaches in co-operation with local authorities.
A record equalling 70 beaches were awarded a Green Coast Award this season - the same number were awarded last year.
Ten beaches were presented with both the Blue Flag and Green Coast Award achieving dual award status.
These beaches are: Balcarrick, Donabate in Fingal; Salthill and Silver Strand in Galway City, An Trá, Inis Oirr in Galway; Fountainstown and Inchydoney Beach East in Cork; Baile an Sceilg in Kerry; Bettystown in Meath, and Enniscrone and Rosses Point in Sligo.
Claiming 14 awards, Cork is the county with most Green Coast Awards in 2025.
Wexford was awarded the second most with 10 Green Coast Award beaches, and Mayo third most with nine.
Golden Strand on Acaill was awarded a Green Coast Award for the first time in 2025.
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50 countries operating Blue Flag Beach programme
More than 50 countries operate the Blue Flag programme globally and more than 5,000 beaches, marinas and tourism boats will be awarded the Blue Flag this year.
The Blue Flag originated in France in 1985. It was launched as an international programme as part of the 'European Year of the Environment' in 1987. Ireland took part in the programme for the first time in 1988.
The awards are organised by An Taisce with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland.
Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said Ireland has come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised.
Minister Browne paid tribute to the work of local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and local volunteers in ensuring the quality of beaches around the country.
The 89 beaches awarded Blue Flags in Ireland represent 60% of the State's identified bathing waters at the time of the Blue Flag application deadline - three additional beaches were identified as bathing waters ahead of the 2025 season.
This is the second highest percentage of Identified Bathing Waters to receive a Blue Flag to date, with the record set in 2006.
An Taisce is responsible for the operation of the Blue Flag programme in Ireland on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education and the programme in Ireland is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
