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Blue Flag, Green Coast Awards

Mr Eoghan Murphy T.D., Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, today (20 May 2019) welcomes the announcement that a total of 150 Blue Flag and Green Coast awards were presented for beaches and marinas at 145 sites around the country with 5 sites receiving both the Blue Flag and Green Coast Award.

Blue Flags

Today, a total of 88 Blue Flags have been awarded, 80 to beaches and 8 to marinas.  The Blue Flag is an international award for beach excellence and is operating in Ireland by An Taisce, with support from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, since 1987.   The award is presented to beaches and marinas which have excellent water quality and which achieve high standards across a wide range of other criteria including environmental education, management of the environment, safety and other services.  The Minister stated that,

Blue Flags are a globally recognised symbol of excellent water quality, and I’m delighted that 88 beaches and marinas across Ireland are today receiving this award.  As Minister, I am committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders to protect and improve the quality of our waters and I commend the great efforts made by Local Authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and other volunteers on the ground.

Green Coasts

62 Green Coast Awards were presented for 2019.  The Green Coast Award is given to sites which have excellent water quality but which may be less developed and less populated than Blue Flag beaches.  An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of Clean Coasts Volunteer Groups. There are now over 800 Coast care groups established throughout the island. 

The Minister stated

the attainment of 62 Green Coast Awards, the highest number since the inception of the awards in 2003, is extremely welcome.  It is a reflection of the outstanding efforts of citizen and community groups and the great work carried out by An Taisce and the Local Authorities.  My Department will continue to provide support for these programmes, which assist volunteer groups and also influences positive behaviour in relation to our marine environment.

Beach Information

Very useful and timely bathing water information is available to beach users on the linked websites – www.blueflagireland.org and www.beaches.ie – run by An Taisce and the Environmental Protection Agency respectively.

 

Blue Flag Beaches Awarded by Management Body 2019: 80 (-3)

 

Management Body

Site Name

Award Status 2018

Award Status 2019

1

Clare County Council

Ballycuggeran (Killaloe)

Awarded

Retained

2

Clare County Council

Cappa pier

Awarded

Retained

3

Clare County Council

Fanore

Awarded

Retained

4

Clare County Council

Kilkee

Awarded

Retained

5

Clare County Council

Lahinch

Awarded

Retained

6

Clare County Council

Mountshannon

Awarded

Retained

7

Clare County Council

Spanish Point

Awarded

Retained

8

Clare County Council

White Strand Doonbeg

Awarded

Retained

9

Clare County Council

White Strand Miltown Malbay

Awarded

Retained

10

Cork County Council

Barleycove

Awarded

Retained

11

Cork County Council

Garretstown

Awarded

Retained

12

Cork County Council

Garrylucas

Awarded

Retained

13

Cork County Council

Inchydoney

Awarded

Retained

14

Cork County Council

Owenahincha

Awarded

Retained

15

Cork County Council

Redbarn Beach

Awarded

Retained

16

Cork County Council

Tragumna

Awarded

Retained

17

Donegal County Council

Carrickfinn

Awarded

Retained

18

Donegal County Council

Culdaff

Awarded

Retained

19

Donegal County Council

Downings

Awarded

Retained

20

Donegal County Council

Fintra

Awarded

Retained

21

Donegal County Council

Killahoey

Awarded

Retained

22

Donegal County Council

Magherawarden (Portsalon)

Awarded

Retained

23

Donegal County Council

Marblehill

Awarded

Retained

24

Donegal County Council

Murvagh

Awarded

Retained

25

Donegal County Council

Portnoo /Naran

Awarded

Retained

26

Donegal County Council

Rossnowlagh

Awarded

Retained

27

Donegal County Council

Stroove

Awarded

Retained

28

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council

Seapoint

Awarded

Retained

29

Fingal County Council

Portmarnock/Velvet Strand

Awarded

Retained

30

Galway City Council

Salthill

Awarded

Retained

31

Galway City Council

Silverstrand

Awarded

Retained

32

Galway County Council

An Trá Mhór (Inverin)

Awarded

Retained

33

Galway County Council

Cill Mhuirbhigh (Aran)

Awarded

Retained

34

Galway County Council

Loughrea Lake

Awarded

Retained

35

Galway County Council

Portumna

Awarded

Retained

36

Galway County Council

Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua)

Awarded

Retained

37

Galway County Council

Traught

Awarded

Retained

38

Kerry County Council

Ballinskelligs

Awarded

Retained

39

Kerry County Council

Ballybunion North

Awarded

Retained

40

Kerry County Council

Ballybunion South

Awarded

Retained

41

Kerry County Council

Ballyheigue

Awarded

Retained

42

Kerry County Council

Banna

Awarded

Retained

43

Kerry County Council

Derrynane

Awarded

Retained

44

Kerry County Council

Fenit

Awarded

Retained

45

Kerry County Council

Inch

Awarded

Retained

46

Kerry County Council

Kells

Awarded

Retained

47

Kerry County Council

Magherabeg

Awarded

Retained

48

Kerry County Council

Rossbeigh

Awarded

Retained

49

Kerry County Council

Ventry

Awarded

Retained

50

Kerry County Council

White Strand Caherciveen

Awarded

Retained

51

Louth County Council

Clogherhead

Awarded

Retained

52

Louth County Council

Port/Lurganboy

Awarded

Retained

53

Louth County Council

Shellinghill/Templetown

Awarded

Retained

54

Mayo County Council

Carrowmore

Awarded

Retained

55

Mayo County Council

Clare Island

Awarded

Retained

56

Mayo County Council

Dooega

Awarded

Retained

57

Mayo County Council

Elly Bay

Awarded

Retained

58

Mayo County Council

Keel

Awarded

Retained

59

Mayo County Council

Keem

Awarded

Retained

60

Mayo County Council

Mullaghroe

Awarded

Retained

61

Mayo County Council

Mulranny

Awarded

Retained

62

Mayo County Council

Ross Killala

Awarded

Retained

63

Mayo County Council

Silverstrand Dugort

Awarded

Retained

64

Sligo County Council

Rosses Point

Awarded

Retained

65

Waterford City and County Council

Ardmore

Awarded

Retained

66

Waterford City and County Council

Clonea

Awarded

Retained

67

Waterford City and County Council

Councillors Strand Dunmore East

Awarded

Retained

68

Waterford City and County Council

Dunmore Strand

Awarded

Retained

69

Waterford City and County Council

Tramore

Awarded

Retained

70

Wexford County Council

Ballinesker Beach

Awarded

Retained

71

Wexford County Council

Ballymoney North Beach

Awarded

Retained

72

Wexford County Council

Carne

Awarded

Retained

73

Wexford County Council

Courtown

Awarded

Retained

74

Wexford County Council

Curracloe

Awarded

Retained

75

Wexford County Council

Morriscastle

Awarded

Retained

76

Wexford County Council

Rosslare

Awarded

Retained

77

Wicklow County Council

Bray South Promenade

Awarded

Retained

78

Wicklow County Council

Brittas Bay North Beach

Awarded

Retained

79

Wicklow County Council

Brittas Bay South Beach

Awarded

Retained

80

Wicklow County Council

Greystones

Awarded

Retained

 

 

Blue Flag Marinas Awarded by Management Body 2019: 8 (+1)

 

 

County

Management Body

Site Name

Award Status 2018

Award Status 2019

1

Cork

Kinsale Yacht Club

Kinsale Yacht Club

Awarded

Retained

2

Cork

Royal Cork Yacht club

The Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

Awarded

 Retained

3

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Greencastle Marina

Awarded

Retained

4

Donegal

Donegal County Council and Rathmullan Charters

Rathmullan Marina

Not Awarded

Awarded for first time

5

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Fenit Marina

Awarded

Retained

6

Westmeath

Quigley's Marina

Quigley's Marina, Killinure Point

Awarded

Retained

7

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Kilmore Quay Marina

Awarded

Retained

8

Wexford

Wexford County Council

New Ross Marina

Awarded

Retained

 

Green Coast Awards by County 2019: 62 Beaches (+3)

 

County

Local Authority

Green Coast Award Site

Clean Coasts Group(s) and community groups associated with the site.

1

Clare

Clare County Council

Ballyallia Lake

Ballyallia Clean Coasts Group

2

Clare

Clare County Council

Bishops Quarter

Ballyvaughan Tidy Towns

3

Clare

Clare County Council

Seafield

Quilty Clean coast

4

Cork

Cork County Council

Cadogan's Strand,

Schull Tidy Town & Community association

5

Cork

Cork County Council

Ring

Ballymacoda Ladysbridge Community Council

6

Cork

Cork County Council

Ardnahinch, Shanagarry

Shanagarry Coastcare Group

7

Cork

Cork County Council

Inch Strand

Aghada Residents Association

8

Cork

Cork County Council

Fountainstown Beach

Fountainstown Community Association

9

Cork

Cork County Council

Rocky Bay

Roberts cove & Rocky bay residents Association

10

Cork

Cork County Council

Oysterhaven

Nohoval/Oysterhaven Residents Association

11

Cork

Cork County Council

Inchydoney East

Inchydoney Residents Association

12

Cork

Cork County Council

Red Strand

Ardfield Tidy Towns Group

13

Cork

Cork County Council

Ballyrisode

Goleen Community Council

14

Cork

Cork County Council

Galley Cove

Goleen Community Council

15

Cork

Cork County Council

Dooneen Pier

Sheepshead Way Community Group

16

Cork

Cork County Council

Garnish Beach, Lehanmore

Lehanemore Community Co-Op

17

Cork

Cork County Council

Sherkin Island, Silver Strand Beach

Sherkin Island Community Group

18

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Magheroarty Beach

Meas Larthuaisceart

19

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Drumnatinney

Falcarragh Coast Care

20

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Dooey Beach

Dooey Beach Clean Coast group

21

Donegal

Donegal County Council

Ballyheirnan

Fanad Clean Coasts Group and Marine Harvest Ireland

22

Fingal

Fingal County Council

Burrow Beach, Sutton

Sutton Dinghy Club

23

Fingal

Fingal County Council

Velvet Strand, Portmarnock

Portmarnock Connunity Association Beach Committee

24

Galway City

Galway City Council

Silver Strand

Galway Atlantaquaria and Eglington Residents Committee

25

Galway City

Galway City Council

Salthill

Meanscoil Muire Newtownsmith,Galway Atlantaquaria, Grundy, NUIG-GMIT Sub Aqua Club

26

Galway

Galway County Council

Aillebrack/Silver Hill

Aillebrack Clean Coasts Group  

27

Galway

Galway County Council

East End Bay, Inisbofin

Inishbofin Development Company

28

Galway

Galway County Council

Dumhach Beach

Inishbofin Development Company

29

Galway

Galway County Council

Trá Poll na gCaorach, Inis Oirr

Coiste na Trá c/o Comhar Caomhán Teoranta, Inis Oírr

30

Galway

Galway County Council

Trá Inis Oirr

Coiste na Trá c/o Comhar Caomhán Teoranta

31

Galway

Galway County Council

Renvyle Beach (The Whitestrand)

Renvyle Beach Group

32

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Waterville Town Beach

An Coireán Coast Care Group

33

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Littor

Littor Clean Coast Group

34

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Castlegregory

Castlegregory Coast Care Group

35

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Béal Bán

Scoil An Fheirtéaraigh

36

Kerry

Kerry County Council

Ballinskelligs

Ballinskelligs Tidy Towns group

37

Louth

Louth County Council

Seapoint Beach, Termonfeckin

Drogheda Lions Club

38

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Tranaun, Inishturk

Coastal Friends of Inisturk   

39

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Termon Beach

Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile

40

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Srah Beach

Claggan Island RSS

41

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Portacloy Beach

Seirbhisí Curam Chill Chomáin

42

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Cross, Erris Peninsula (Belmullet)

Meas Mara Lar Ros

43

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Carrowniskey Beach

Keep Our Beaches Clean ; GMIT Mayo; Ascension Adventure Agents

44

Mayo

Mayo County Council

Rinroe Beach

Seirbhisí Curam Chill Chomáin; Scoil Naisunta Cheathru Thaidhg  and  Kilcommon RSS

45

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Dunmoran Strand

Skreen Dromard Coast Care Group

46

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Streedagh Beach

North Sligo Playground Group

47

Sligo

Sligo County Council

Rosses Point

Rosses Point Tidy Towns Committee and other Coast Care groups

48

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Annestown

Annestown Community Group

49

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Ballyquin

Ardmore Tidy Towns

50

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Curragh

Ardmore Tidy Towns

51

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Goat Island Beach

Ardmore Tidy Towns

52

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Guillamene Cove

Newtown and Guilamene swim Club

53

Waterford

Waterford City and County Council

Newtown Cove, Tramore

Newtown and Guilamene swim Club and Crawford Scaffolding

54

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Ballyhealy

Kilmore School and Wexford Sub Aqua Club

55

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Booley Bay

Hook Residents Coast Care Group

56

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Cahore Point Beach

Ballygarrett Tidy Towns

57

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Cullenstown Strand

Cullenstown Community Group

58

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Culleton's Gap

Friends of the Raven Coast Care Group

59

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Grange

Hook Residents Coast Care Group

60

Wexford

Wexford County Council

Old Bawn Beach

Ballygarrett Tidy Towns

61

Wexford

Wexford County Council

St. Helen's Bay

St. Helen's Bay Residents Group

62

Wicklow

Wicklow County Council

Arklow South Beach

Arklow Coastcare