2022 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards Recognise Ireland’s Best Beaches and Marinas
A Record-breaking 95 Blue Flags and 62 Green Coast Awards awarded in 2022
2022 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards; 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.
Waterford has 5 Blue Flag Beaches with Ardmore Beach, Clonea Beach, Counsellors’ Strand Dunmore East, Dunmore Strand Dunmore East and Tramore Beach.
We also have Green Coast Award for the 2022 with Ballyquin, Annestown, Newtown Cove, Goat Island Beach, Curragh and Kilfarrassey
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 France 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
| # | County | Beach Name | Local Authority | Name of Clean Coasts Group(s) associated with the site. |
| 1 | Clare | Ballyallia Lake | Clare County Council | Ballyalla Blue Flag Working Group |
| 2 | Clare | Bishops Quarter | Clare County Council | Ballyvaughan Tidy Towns |
| 3 | Clare | Carrigaholt Beach | Clare County Council | Carrigaholt Tidy Towns and Carrigaholt Development Association |
| 4 | Clare | Seafield | Clare County Council | Quilty clean coast |
| 5 | Cork | Sherkin Island, Silver Strand Beach | Cork County Council | Sherkin Island Community Group |
| 6 | Cork | Ballyrisode | Cork County Council | Goleen Community Council |
| 7 | Cork | Galley Cove | Cork County Council | Goleen Community Council |
| 8 | Cork | Inch Strand | Cork County Council | Aghada Residents Association |
| 9 | Cork | Ardnahinch, Shanagarry | Cork County Council | Shanagarry Coastcare Group |
| 10 | Cork | Ring | Cork County Council | Ballymacoda Ladysbridge Community Council |
| 11 | Cork | Oysterhaven | Cork County Council | Nohoval/Oysterhave Residents Association |
| 12 | Cork | Rocky Bay | Cork County Council | Roberts Cove & Rocky Bay Residents Association |
| # | County | Beach Name | Local Authority | Name of Clean Coasts Group(s) associated with the site. |
| 13 | Cork | Dooneen Pier | Cork County Council | Sheepshead Way Community Group |
| 14 | Cork | Red Strand | Cork County Council | Ardfield Tidy Towns Group |
| 15 | Cork | Cadogan’s Strand, | Cork County Council | Schull Tidy Town & Community Association |
| 16 | Cork | Garnish Beach, Lehanmore | Cork County Council | Lehanemore Community Co-Op |
| 17 | Cork | Ballynamona Beach | Cork County Council | Ballynamona Clean Coast Group |
| 18 | Cork | Fountainstown Beach | Cork County Council | Fountainstown Community Association |
| 19 | Cork | Inchydoney East | Cork County Council | Inchydoney East Residents Association |
| 20 | Donegal | Ballyheirnan | Donegal County Council | Mowi Ireland |
| 21 | Donegal | Drumnatinney | Donegal County Council | Cósta Glan agus Glas Falcarragh Clean Coast Group |
| 22 | Donegal | Dooey Beach | Donegal County Council | Dooey Clean Coasts Group |
| 23 | Donegal | Magheroarty Beach | Donegal County Council | Meas Larthuaisceart |
| 24 | Donegal | Ballyheirnan | Donegal County Council | Fanad Coastal Group |
| 25 | Fingal | Balcarrick Beach, Donabate | Fingal County Council | New CC Group (name TBC) |
| 26 | Galway City | Silver Strand | Galway City Council | Silverstrand Clean Coast group |
| 27 | Galway City | Salthill | Galway City Council | Galway Atlantaquaria Ltd |
| 28 | Galway County | Aillebrack/Silver Hill | Galway County Council | Aillebrack/Silver Hill Coast Care |
| 29 | Galway County | Dumhach Beach | Galway County Council | Inishbofin Development Company |
| 30 | Galway County | Trá Poll na gCaorach, Inis Oirr | Galway County Council | Coiste na Trá c/o Comhar Caomhán Teoranta, Inis Oírr |
| 31 | Galway County | Trá Inis Oirr | Galway County Council | Coiste na Trá c/o Comhar Caomhán Teoranta |
| 32 | Galway County | East End Bay, Inisbofin | Galway County Council | Inishbofin Development Company |
| 33 | Galway County | Renvyle Beach (The Whitestrand) | Galway County Council | Renvyle Beach Group |
| # | County | Beach Name | Local Authority | Name of Clean Coasts Group(s) associated with the site. |
| 34 | Kerry | Littor | Kerry County Council | Littor Clean Coast Group |
| 35 | Kerry | Waterville | Kerry County Council | An Coireán Coast Care Group |
| 36 | Kerry | Ballinskelligs | Kerry County Council | Ballinskelligs Tidy Towns group |
| 37 | Kerry | Castlegregory | Kerry County Council | Castlegregory Coast Care Group |
| 38 | Kerry | Béal Bán | Kerry County Council | Scoil An Fheirtearaigh |
| 39 | Louth | Seapoint Beach, Termonfeckin | Louth County Council | Termonfeckin & District Community group |
| 40 | Mayo | Termon Beach | Mayo County Council | Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile |
| 41 | Mayo | Srah Beach | Mayo County Council | Claggan Island RSS |
| 42 | Mayo | Portacloy Beach | Mayo County Council | Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teoranta, Scéim Shóisialta Tuaithe Chill Chomáin |
| 43 | Mayo | Rinroe | Mayo County Council | Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teoranta, Scéim Shóisialta Tuaithe Chill Chomáin (The Kilcommon Rural Social Scheme) |
| 44 | Mayo | Tránaun, Inishturk | Mayo County Council | awaiting response |
| 45 | Meath | Mornington | Meath County Council | Beach Management Committee |
| 46 | Sligo | Rosses Point | Sligo County Council | Rosses Point Development Association Tidy Towns Committee; North West Sea Kayaking Association; Sligo Surf Lifesaving Club |
| 47 | Sligo | Streedagh Beach | Sligo County Council | North Sligo Playground Group |
| 48 | Waterford | Ballyquin | Waterford City and County Council | Coast Care Group merged with Ardmore Tidy Towns Committee |
| 49 | Waterford | Annestown | Waterford City and County Council | Annestown Community Group |
| 50 | Waterford | Newtown Cove, Tramore | Waterford City and County Council | Newtown and Guillamene Swimming Club |
| 51 | Waterford | Goat Island Beach | Waterford City and County Council | Ardmore Tidy Towns Committee |
| 52 | Waterford | Curragh | Waterford City and County Council | Curragh Coast Care Group merged with Ardmore Tidy Towns Committee |
| 53 | Waterford | Kilfarrassey | Waterford City and County Council | Waterford SubAqua Club |
| # | County | Beach Name | Local Authority | Name of Clean Coasts Group(s) associated with the site. |
| 54 | Wexford | Cahore Point Beach | Wexford County Council | Ballygarrett Tidy Towns |
| 55 | Wexford | Ballyhealy | Wexford County Council | Wexford Sub Aqua Club |
| 56 | Wexford | Grange | Wexford County Council | Hook Tourism |
| 57 | Wexford | Old Bawn Beach | Wexford County Council | Ballygarrett Tidy Towns |
| 58 | Wexford | Baginbun Beach | Wexford County Council | Hook Tourism |
| 59 | Wexford | Cullenstown Strand | Wexford County Council | Friends of Cullenstown |
| 60 | Wexford | St. Helen’s Bay | Wexford County Council | St Helens Bay Community Coastcare Group |
| 61 | Wexford | Culleton’s Gap | Wexford County Council | Friends of the Raven |
| 62 | Wexford | Booley Bay | Wexford County Council | Hook Tourism |
