The Blue Flag, one of the world's most recognised environmental awards, has been awarded to 85 beaches and nine marinas in Ireland.
The awards are designed to raise environmental awareness and promote good environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats.
The Skellig Bounty Tourism Boat in Co Kerry received an award for the first time in Irish Blue Flag history.
Duncannon Beach in Co Wexford has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time in 19 years.
Bunmahon beach in Co Waterford has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2012.
An Taisce, which is responsible for the operation of the Blue Flag programme, said Duncannon and Bunmahon beaches were given the awards in part due to a significant improvement of in-season bathing water quality.
Watch: Duncannon residents 'delighted' beach awarded blue flag for first time in 19 years
Kerry has been awarded with the most Blue Flags, with a total of 16 flags given to the county.
Meanwhile, six beaches that were awarded the status last year have not retained it this season.
They are: Lahinch, in Co Clare; Fountainstown, in Co Cork; Portsalon in Co Donegal; Ardmore Beach and Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East, in Co Waterford; and Ballymoney, North Beach, in Wexford.
The Blue Flag requires beaches to receive an 'excellent’ classification in water quality.
Each of the beaches to lose their Blue Flag status had a water quality of 'good' - the second highest classification.
Globally, 53 countries operate the Blue Flag programme and more than 5,200 beaches, marinas and tourism boats will be awarded the Blue Flag this year.
An Taisce is also responsible for the awarding of the separate Green Coast Awards, which recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
Voluntary 'Clean Coasts' groups participate in community clean-ups and help manage the beaches along with local authorities.
The main purpose of the Green Coast Award programme is to foster partnerships within communities in an effort to protect and enhance local coastal environs.
A total of 73 beaches are being presented with the Green Coast Award today, the highest number to date.
Cork received the most Green Coast Awards this year, with a total of 13 beaches being awarded.
Cork has also achieved the highest combined number of award flags with an overall total of 25.
Wexford and Waterford have been awarded the second most with 10 Green Coast Award beaches each.
Waterford has the most first-time Green Coast Award beaches in 2026 at four.
Cliff stabilisation works at Grange Beach in Co Wexford have been required at two locations, resulting in temporary restrictions on public access.
Grange has been designated as a Green Coast Award site for the 2026 season.
However, the award flag cannot be flown at the beach until all works are completed and the beach has been reopened to the public.
