2023 has seen Ireland have 94 International Blue Flags with 84 beaches and 10 marinas which is down 1 from last year with 81 retaining, 4 losing and 3 new. Meanwhile, 65 Irish beaches, a new year high, have received the Green Coast Award, recognising beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
The four beaches that lost the flag this year are Cappagh Pier, Kilrush in County Clare, Garretstown in County Cork, and Counsellors’ Strand (Dunmore East) and Dunmore Strand (Dunmore East) in County Waterford.
Three new beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag: Bertra, Clare Island (Louisburgh), and Old Head, all in County Mayo.
Below we list the 84 Blue Flag beaches, click on a title to go to our beach information pages with interactive maps.
Ireland Blue Flag Awards
Clare Blue Flags
Ballycuggeran (Lough Derg)
Kilkee
Whitestrand, Doonbeg
Mountshannon (Lough Derg)
Fanore
Lahinch
Spanish Point
Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay
Cork Blue Flags
Garrylucas
Inchydoney (east and west beaches)
Owenahincha
Barleycove
Tragumna
Youghal Claycastle
Youghal Front Strand
Redbarn
Fountainstown
Donegal Blue Flags
Bundoran
Culdaff
Fintra
Downings
Killahoey
Marblehill
Murvagh
Naran
Magherawarden
Shroove
Rossnowlagh
Carrickfinn
Dublin Blue Flags
Fingal
Balcarrick
Rush South
Galway Blue Flags
Loughrea Lake
Tra an Doilin (Coral Strand)
Tra Mhor, Indreabhan
Salthill
Silverstrand
Portumna
Cill Muirbhthe
Trá Inis Oírr
Kerry Blue Flags
Ballinskelligs
Ballybunion South
Ballybunion North
Ballyheigue
Banna
Derrynane
Fenit
Inch
Kells
Maherabeg
Ventry
White Strand
Rossbeigh
Louth Blue Flags
Mayo Blue Flags
Dooega
Mulranny
Mullaghroe
Silverstrand, Dugort
Golden Strand, Dugort
Keel
Elly Bay
Keem
Ross
Bertra
Clare Island (Louisburgh)
Old Head
Sligo Blue Flags
Waterford Blue Flags
Wexford Blue Flags
Carne
Curracloe
Morriscastle
Rosslare Strand
Ballinesker
Ballymoney North
Wicklow Blue Flags
Brittas Bay North
Brittas Bay South
Greystones South Beach
Blue Flag is a mark of a quality beach
The Blue Flag beach award is widely recognised as an indication for a good quality beach and has moved on a lot since it started in France in 1985. Most people think a Blue Flag indicates a clean and safe water but although it does, it actually measures a beach against a lot more criteria:
- Environmental Education and Information. This includes displaying details on the Blue Flag award along with details on the water quality, a beach map including locations of facilities.
- Water Quality. This is about the water is safe to swim in and water samples are taken at regular points during the bathing season and the year gets an overall grade. Each of our beach pages gives a summary of the current water quality.
- Environmental Management. This category is about managing the beach and keeping it clean along with facilities like toilets being available to the public.
- Safety and Services. This is a big one for families with children as a beach should be patrolled by lifeguards. Other criteria include the availability of drinking water and accessibility features.
Not having a Blue Flag does not mean a beach should be avoided as the tough criteria described above is only really suited to large seaside resorts and smaller villages and remote bays can’t offer the same level of management. This means they just don’t participate in the scheme and local countries have their own awards to recognise some of these other beaches.
The blue flag certification process is carried out every year by local quality organisations and for our beaches in the UK, the annual results are announced at the end of May or beginning of June.
For more information and details of the assessment criteria visit the Blue Flag Award website.
For a full list of blue flag beaches see our list at Ireland Blue Flag Beaches.