Three Co Wicklow beaches will have Blue Flag status this summer
However, for a fourth successive year Wicklow will only have three, with recognised beaches that attract plenty of swimmers missing out.
The Blue Flags for this bathing season, which begins in June, go to the beaches that have long-held that status in the south of Greystones, and both north and south areas of Brittas Bay.
Having last flown a Blue Flag in 2021, Bray has again failed to come up to the mark for the international award, as have all the beaches in Wicklow town and Arklow.
Although water quality plays a part in obtaining a Blue Flag, there are many other boxes to tick, including having sufficient lifeguard cover, information boards, a drinking water supply and other facilities.
Though they did not fit other criteria, Arklow South Beach, Wicklow Harbour and Bray South Promenade do have lifeguard cover in the bathing season, although Arklow South Beach's lifeguard hut will move this year to The Cove as the area was deemed safer for swimming.
Last year Arklow South Beach earned a Green Coast Award, which recognised its clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. However, the beach has not been awarded that status this year.
Despite this, Arklow South Beach was considered to have generally good quality water in the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report on bathing water quality, which was taken from last year's results.
This finding is the second best for a less popular beach that is not managed under Bathing Water Quality Regulations, with 'highest quality' being the highest recordable standard. This was achieved by similar beaches at The Murrough in Wicklow town, Kilcoole and the area south of Bray Harbour. The bathing area in Wicklow Harbour achieved the next status down, termed 'meets minimum standard'.
In the same report, recognised bathing areas at Wicklow's Blue Flag beaches all achieved the highest water quality rating of 'excellent', with Silver Strand near Wicklow town ranked just below at 'good' along with Bray South Promenade. From next year, The Cove in Greystones will be recorded.
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Speaking at the launch of Blue Flags and Green Coast Awards in Curracloe in Wexford, Heritage Minister James Browne said: 'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and two marinas were recognised.
'This didn't happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy.
'Presenting these awards on a great day in Curracloe and – in the current good weather - anticipating the happy days ahead for so many families on this very beach over the summer, I am particularly proud that the beautiful beaches and marinas from around my own home county of Wexford are amongst those recognised today.'
In Wexford, Carne, Curracloe, Ballinesker and Ballymoney, North Beach, Morriscastle, and Rosslare Strand, will all fly Blue Flags this year, along with Kilmore Quay and New Ross Marina.
Additionally, the county has earned 10 Green Coast Awards for Baginbun Beach, Ballyhealy, Booley Bay, Cahore Point, Cullenstown Strand, Culleton's Gap, Grange, Old Bawn Beach, Rosslare Harbour Beach and St Helen's Bay.
The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003. The award was rolled out nationally in 2008. An important aspect of it is the link with voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with local authorities.
South Dublin's Blue Flag beaches are Seapoint in Dun Laoghaire and Killiney.
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