• A Record-breaking 95 Blue Flags and 62 Green Coast Awards awarded in 2022

Today, An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2022. The awards were presented by Malcolm Noonan TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Heritage and Electoral Reform at a ceremony Curracloe Beach in County Wexford this afternoon. 

Speaking at the awards ceremony Minister Noonan stated that:

 This year celebrates 35 years of the Blue Flag as an international programme and during that time the Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety. I am pleased to be presenting 95 blue flags and 62 green coast awards today and want to commend the great efforts made by local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and volunteers for their work around the country.

Mr. Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards Manager for An Taisce in announcing this year’s Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients stated:

We were delighted to be welcomed to the Sunny Southeast today for the opportunity to celebrate the beaches and marinas awarded for the 2022 season. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to manage a beach or marina to the excellent standards required by these award programmes. It’s been too long since we’ve had the opportunity to acknowledge these efforts in person, and I would like to thank all in attendance and our hosts Wexford County Council for helping us make today’s event worth the wait.

Blue Flag

The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels. Originating in Frnace in 1985 it was launched as an International programme as part of the “European Year of the Environment in 1987. In 1988, the first year sites were awarded outside of France 19 beaches and 2 marinas received the Blue Flag in Ireland. 2022 is the 35th year that beaches and marinas have been awarded here in Ireland and the 95 beaches and marinas being awarded is the highest annual total to date. 

The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world.  The 85 Irish beaches and 10 marinas that have achieved this accolade must adhere to specific criteria related to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and site management. 

85 Beaches and 10 marinas awarded the Blue Flag for 2022.

• The number of sites receiving the award is up 2 on last year’s total.
• 7 beaches not awarded in 2021 have been awarded for the coming bathing season. These are: Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach) in County Galway; Fountainstown and Youghal Front Strand in County Cork; Balcarrick, Donabate and Rush, South Beach in Fingal; Ballybunnion North Beach in Kerry and Ballymoney North Beach, in County Wexford.
• Trá Inis Oírr, the main beach on Inis Oirr in County Galway has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time this year.
• In Cork Fountainstown has been awarded for the first time since 1991 and the second time since Blue Flags were first awarded in Ireland.
• Youghal Front Strand in Cork will fly the Blue Flag for the first time since 2011.
• Balcarrick, Donabate in Fingal has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2016.
• Ballybunnion North Beach, which last flew a Blue Flag in 2019 has been awarded for the 2022 bathing season.
• Ballymoney North Beach, in County Wexford regains Blue Flag status having not been awarded in 2021.
• 79 of the 83 beaches awarded in 2021 retained Blue Flag Status for the 2022 bathing season.
• The 5 beaches awarded in 2021 that have not been awarded for the 2022 season are: Bray South Promenade in Wicklow; Warren, Cregane Strand in Cork; Traught, Kinvara in County Galway; Carrowmore and Clare Island in County Mayo. None of these beaches achieved the “Excellent” water quality classification necessary to be awarded the Blue Flag. Each of the sites received a classification of “Good”, the second highest classification available based on analysis of bathing water samples over the past four bathing seasons.
• All 10 marinas awarded in 2021 have retained Blue Flag status for the coming season. 

An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland is responsible for the operation of the Blue Flag programme in Ireland on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE). 48 Countries operate the Blue Flag programme globally and more than 5000 sites and tourism boats will be awarded the Blue Flag this year. The Blue Flag programme in Ireland is supported by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

62 Beaches receive the Green Coast Award for the 2022 Bathing Season

The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Award sites are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.The Green Coast Awards were presented back in 2003 to four beaches in County Wexford, it was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. 

An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of Clean Coasts groups of which there are currently over 1800 comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide. These volunteers participate in community clean-ups and in cooperation with Local Authorities help sensitively manage their local beaches throughout the year.

• Ballynamona Beach in County Cork has been awarded a Green Coast Award for the first time this year.
• Cork is the county with the most Green Coast Award beaches once again in 2022 with 15.
• Mornington in Meath and Oysterhaven in Cork both last awarded in 2020 have been awarded for the 2022 season.
• Kilfarrassey in Waterford last awarded in 2018 and Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal, last awarded in 2016 have both been awarded for the upcoming season.
• 5 Beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag a Green Coast Award for the 2022 season, they are: Balcarrick Beach, Donabate in Fingal; Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Kerry; Salthill and Silverstrand in Galway City and Trá Inis Oirr in Galway.

In the Republic of Ireland the Green Coast Award is operated by An Tasice’s Environmental Education unit with the support of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Fáilte Ireland.

An International Award, the Green Coast Award is coordinated Northern Ireland and Wales by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Keep Wales Tidy respectively.

1.    Blue Flag Beaches Awarded by Management Body 2022: 85 (+2)

#    LOCAL AUTHORITY    BEACH

1    Clare County Council    Ballycuggeran

2    Clare County Council    Cappagh Pier, Kilrush

3    Clare County Council    Fanore

4    Clare County Council    Kilkee

5    Clare County Council    Lahinch

6    Clare County Council    Mountshannon, Lough Derg

7    Clare County Council    Spanish Point

8    Clare County Council    White Strand Doonbeg

9    Clare County Council    White Strand Miltown Malbay

10    Cork County Council    Barley Cove

11    Cork County Council    Fountainstown

12    Cork County Council    Garretstown

13    Cork County Council    Garrylucas, White Strand

14    Cork County Council    Inchydoney East Beach

15    Cork County Council    Inchydoney West Beach

16    Cork County Council    Owenahincha, Little Island Strand

17    Cork County Council    Redbarn

18    Cork County Council    Tragumna

19    Cork County Council    Youghal, Claycastle

20    Cork County Council    Youghal, Front Strand

21    Donegal County Council    Culdaff

22    Donegal County Council    Bundoran

23    Donegal County Council    Carrickfinn

24    Donegal County Council    Downings

25    Donegal County Council    Fintra

26    Donegal County Council    Killahoey

27    Donegal County Council    Marble Hill

28    Donegal County Council    Murvagh

29    Donegal County Council    Naran

30    Donegal County Council    Portsalon

31    Donegal County Council    Rossnowlagh

32    Donegal County Council    Stroove

33    Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council    Killiney

34    Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council    Seapoint

35    Fingal County Council    Balcarrick, Donabate

36    Fingal County Council    Portmarnock, Velvet Strand Beach

37    Fingal County Council    Rush, South Beach

38    Galway City Council    Salthill Beach

39    Galway City Council    Silverstrand Beach

40    Galway County Council    An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán

41    Galway County Council    Bathing Place at Portumna

42    Galway County Council    Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór

43    Galway County Council    Loughrea Lake

44    Galway County Council    Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua

45    Galway County Council    Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach)

46    Kerry County Council    Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)

47    Kerry County Council    Ballybunion North Beach

48    Kerry County Council    Ballybunion South Beach

49    Kerry County Council    Ballyheigue

50    Kerry County Council    Banna Strand

51    Kerry County Council    Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane)

52    Kerry County Council    Fenit

53    Kerry County Council    Fionntrá (Ventry)

54    Kerry County Council    Inch

55    Kerry County Council    Kells

56    Kerry County Council    Maharabeg

57    Kerry County Council    Rossbeigh, White Strand

58    Kerry County Council    White Strand, Caherciveen

59    Louth County Council    Clogherhead

60    Louth County Council    Port, Lurganboy

61    Louth County Council    Shelling Hill/Templetown

62    Mayo County Council    Dooega Beach, Achill Island

63    Mayo County Council    Dugort Beach, Achill Island

64    Mayo County Council    Elly Bay, Belmullet

65    Mayo County Council    Golden Strand, Achill Island

66    Mayo County Council    Keel Beach, Achill Island

67    Mayo County Council    Keem Beach, Achill Island

68    Mayo County Council    Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet

69    Mayo County Council    Mulranny Beach

70    Mayo County Council    Ross Beach, Killala

71    Sligo County Council    Rosses Point Beach

72    Waterford City & County Council    Ardmore Beach

73    Waterford City & County Council    Clonea Beach

74    Waterford City & County Council    Counsellors’ Strand, Dunmore East

75    Waterford City & County Council    Dunmore Strand, Dunmore East

76    Waterford City & County Council    Tramore Beach

77    Wexford County Council    Ballinesker

78    Wexford County Council    Ballymoney North Beach

79    Wexford County Council    Carne

80    Wexford County Council    Curracloe

81    Wexford County Council    Morriscastle

82    Wexford County Council    Rosslare Strand

83    Wicklow County Council    Bray South Promenade

84    Wicklow County Council    Brittas Bay North

85    Wicklow County Council    Greystones South Beach

2.    Blue Flag Marinas Awarded by Management Body 2022: 8 (+1)

 #    County    Site Name

1    Cork    Kinsale Yacht Club

2    Cork    The Royal Cork Yacht Club Marina

3    Clare    Kilrush Marina

4    Donegal    Greencastle Marina

5    Donegal    Rathmullan Marina

6    Kerry    Fenit Marina

7    Kerry    Portmagee Seasonal Pontoon

8    Westmeath    Quigley’s Marina, Killinure Point

9    Wexford    Kilmore Quay Marina

10    Wexford    New Ross Marina

3.    Green Coast Awards by County 2019: 62 Beaches 

4.    BEACH AWARDS & WATER QUALITY

o    Since 2012, beaches applying for Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards are assessed based on the standards of the new EU Bathing Water Directive. This requires that the water quality of candidate beaches are assessed using a 95th percentile calculation over a 4 year period. 

o    Only beaches that meet the excellent standard for both E. Coli and Intestinal Enterococci parameters are eligible for the award.

o    While the Green Coast Award does not require sites to be Identified Bathing Waters they need to be sampled at the same frequency and the same thresholds apply in relation to the microbiological parameters.

o    The Blue Flag programme in Ireland has been the driving force behind improvements in water quality for many years and as an award of excellence the Blue Flag implemented the stricter standards in Ireland in 2013. The microbiological standards of the 2006 EU Directive are almost twice as strict as the 1976 EU Directive band representing a lowering of the risk threshold for bathers to ca. 3% with the more stringent category of “Excellent” water quality being applied.The microbiological standards of the 2006 EU Directive are almost twice as strict as the 1976 EU Directive band representing a lowering of the risk threshold for bathers to ca. 3% with the more stringent category of “Excellent” water quality being applied.

5.    BLUE FLAG AWARDS SINCE 2010

The Blue Flag Programme has been in operation since 1987 with the first awards presented for the 1988 bathing season, when 21 flags were awarded.

6.    BLUE FLAG CRITERIA SUMMARY

Criteria under which Blue Flag beaches are assessed (33 criteria):

1)    Environmental Education and Information

•    Information about the Blue Flag must be displayed.

•    Environmental education activities must be offered and promoted to beach users.

•    Information about bathing water quality must be displayed.

•    Information relating to local eco-systems and environmental phenomena must be displayed.

•    A map of the beach indicating different facilities must be displayed.

•    A code of conduct that reflects appropriate laws governing the use of the beach and surrounding areas must be displayed.  

2)    Water Quality

    The beach must fully comply with the water quality sampling and frequency requirements.

    The beach must fully comply with the standards and requirements for water quality analysis.

    No industrial, waste-water or sewage-related discharges should affect the beach area.

    The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for the microbiological parameter Escherichia coli (faecal coli bacteria) and intestinal enterococci (streptococci)

    The beach must comply with the Blue Flag requirements for physical and chemical parameters.

3) Environmental Management

    The local authority/beach operator should establish a beach management committee.

    The local authority/beach operator must comply with all regulations affecting the location and operation of the beach.

    The beach must be clean.

    Algae vegetation or natural debris should be left on the beach.

    Waste disposal bins/containers must be available at the beach in adequate numbers and they must be regularly maintained.

    Facilities for the separation of recyclable waste materials should be available at the beach.

    An adequate number of toilet or restroom facilities must be provided.

    The toilet or restroom facilities must be kept clean.

    The toilet or restroom facilities must have controlled sewage disposal.

    There should be no unauthorised camping, driving or dumping of waste on the beach.

    Access to the beach by dogs and other domestic animals must be strictly controlled.

    All buildings and beach equipment must be properly maintained.

    Coral reefs in the vicinity of the beach must be monitored.

    A sustainable means of transportation should be promoted in the beach area. 

4) Safety and Services

    An adequate number of lifeguards and/or lifesaving equipment must be available at the beach.

    First aid equipment must be available on the beach. 

    Emergency plans to cope with pollution risks must be in place.

    There must be management of beach users and events to prevent conflicts and accidents.

    There must be safety measures in place to protect beach users.

    A supply of drinking water should be available at the beach. 

    At least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality must have wheelchair and accessibility features.

    Wheelchair access and accessibility features must be in place for at least one Blue Flag beach in each municipality.

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