Eighty five beaches and nine marinas across Ireland have been awarded The Blue Flag, one of the most high profile environmental awards in the world.
These awards are aimed at raising environmental awareness and promoting good environmental management when it comes to beaches, marinas and eco tourism boats. This programme is organised by An Taisce.
Such beaches to receive this award include The Skellig Bounty Tourism Boat in Co Kerry, who were awarded this accolade for this time.
Elsewhere, Bunmahon beach in Co Waterford was awarded the Blue Flag for the first time since 2012, while Duncannon Beach in Wexford was awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2007. Both beaches were awarded partly due to a major improvement of in-season bathing water quality, according to An Tasice, which requires beaches to have an "excellent" classification in water quality.
Overall, Kerry was awarded the most Blue Flags, with the Kingdom receiving 16 in total.
There were six beaches who received the Blue Flag last year, but missed out on the award this year.
These beaches 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.
Each beach to lose their Blue Flag Status had a water quality of "good", which is the second highest classification.
There are 53 countries who are part of the Blue Flag programme, with more than 5,200 beaches, marinas, and tourism boats awarded with the Blue Flag this year.
The programme also awards separate Green Coast Awards, recognising beaches for their high standard of water quality, clean environment, and natural beauty. It intends to foster partnerships within communities in order to protect and improve local coastal environs.
Voluntary 'Clean Coasts' groups take part in community clean ups and help to manage the beaches in line with local authorities.
As many as 73 beaches were presented with the Green Coast Award today, the highest number so far.
The most Green Coast Awards were handed to Cork, with 13 beaches being awarded. The Rebel County also received the highest combine number of award flags with 25 in total.
Ten Green Coast Awards were handed to beaches across both Waterford and Wexford.
Two locations in Co Wexford's Grange Beach had required cliff stabilisation, leading to temporary restrictions on public access. The place has since been designated as a Green Coast Award site for 2026.
The Award flag cannot be flown until all works are completed and the beach has been reopened to the public.
