Press release
Minister Murphy welcomes announcement of Blue Flag, Green Coast Awards
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Published on
Last updated on
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.
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."
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”.
Very useful and timely bathing water information is available to beach users on the linked websites – www.blueflagireland.org(link is external) and www.beaches.ie(link is external) – 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 |