Full list of Dublin Blue Flag and Green Coast winners as record number awarded to Ireland
A record number of Blue Flags are being awarded today in Ireland, 89 to beaches and 10 to marinas.
The blue flag is one of the world's most recognised environmental awards and originated in France in 1985. The first year sites were awarded outside of France was in 1988 which saw 19 beaches and two marinas receiving the Blue Flag in Ireland.
The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world. The 89 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 for the duration of the bathing season.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. The first Green Coast Awards were presented to four beaches in Wexford in 2003.
The award was rolled out nationally in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. The 2025 season sees a record equaling 70 beaches being awarded the Green Coast Award, the same number were awarded in 2024.
Here are the Dublin winners of the awards:
Dublin Blue Flag winners
Donabate, Balcarrick Beach
Portmarnock/Velvet Strand
Seapoint
Killiney
Dublin Green Coast Award winner
Balcarrick Beach, Donabate
The awards were presented by Mr. James Browne TD – Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage at the presentation ceremony held in the Ravenport Resort in Curracloe, County Wexford today. Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Browne said: 'Given that the Blue Flag programme is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety, I am honoured to present a record number of awards today – 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards.
'We've come a long way since the beginning of Ireland's Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and 2 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.'
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