This year's blue flags have been awarded - did your local beach get one?
A total of 99 beaches and marinas have been awarded and recognised for having excellent water quality and for maintaining other standards, including safety standards.
It is an international award which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce. You can view a map of this year's beaches,
here
.
Map of this year's Blue Flag beaches.
Below are the following beaches who have been awarded.
Co Donegal:
A total of 14 beaches and marinas were awarded Blue Flags in Co Donegal this year. The list includes:
Bundoran, Co Donegal
Carrickfinn, Co Donegal
Culdaff, Co Donegal
Downings, Co Donegal
Fintra, Co Donegal
Killahoey, Co Donegal
Magherawarden (Portsalon), Co Donegal
Marblehill, Co Donegal
Murvagh, Co Donegal
Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal
Portnoo /Narin, Co Donegal
Stroove, Co Donegal
Greencastle Marina, Co Donegal
Rathmullan Marina, Co Donegal
Co Louth
Three beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags in Co Louth this year:
Port/Lurganboy, Co Louth
Clogherhead, Co Louth
Shellinghill/Templetown, Co Louth
Co Cork
A total of 14 beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags in Co Cork:
Redbarn Beach, Co Cork
Barley Cove, Co Cork
Inchydoney East Beach, Co Cork
Fountainstown, Co Cork
Youghal Front Strand, Co Cork
Barley Cove, Co Cork
Garretstown, Co Cork
Garrylucas, Co Cork
Inchydoney West Beach, Co Cork
Owenahincha, Co Cork
Tragumna, Co Cork
Youghal Claycastle, Co Cork
Kinsale Yacht Club, Co Cork
The Royal Cork Yacht Club, Co Cork
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Co Sligo
Three beaches in Co Sligo have received Blue Flags this year:
Mullaghroe, Co Sligo
Rosses Point, Co Sligo
Enniscrone, Co Sligo
Co Dublin
Four swimming hotspots in the capital have been awarded Blue Flags:
Portmarnock/Velvet Strand, Co Dublin
Seapoint, Co Dublin
Donabate, Balcarrick Beach, Co Dublin
Killiney, Co Dublin
Co Wicklow
Four beaches and marinas in Co Wicklow have been awarded this year:
Brittas Bay North Beach, Co Wicklow
Brittas Bay South Beach, Co Wicklow
Greystones, Co Wicklow
Magherabeg, Co Wicklow
Co Clare
Ten swim and surf spots in Co Clare will have Blue Flags flying this summer:
Ballycuggeran (Killaloe), Co Clare
Fanore, Co Clare
Kilkee, Co Clare
Lahinch, Co Clare
Mountshannon, Co Clare
Spanish Point, Co Clare
White Strand Doonbeg, Co Clare
White Strand Miltown Malbay, Co Clare
Kilrush Marina, Co Clare
Cappagh Pier, Co Clare
Co Kerry
A total of 14 beaches and marinas in The Kingdom have been awarded:
Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry
Ballybunion North, Co Kerry
Ballybunion South, Co Kerry
Ballyheigue, Co Kerry
Banna, Co Kerry
Derrynane, Co Kerry
Fenit Strand, Co Kerry
Inch, Co Kerry
Kells, Co Kerry
Rossbeigh, Co Kerry
Ventry, Co Kerry
White Strand Cahersiveen, Co Kerry
Fenit Marina, Co Kerry
Portmagee Seasonal Visitors Pontoons, Co Kerry
Co Wexford
Eight beaches and marinas in Wexford have received Blue Flags this year:
Ballinesker Beach, Co Wexford
Curracloe, Co Wexford
Morriscastle, Co Wexford
Rosslare, Co Wexford
Carne, Co Wexford
Kilmore Quay Marina, Co Wexford
New Ross Marina, Co Wexford
Ballymoney North Beach, Co Wexford
Co Waterford
Four swimming locations in Waterford have been awarded this year:
Clonea, Co Waterford
Councillors Strand Dunmore East, Co Waterford
Ardmore, Co Waterford
Tramore Beach, Co Waterford
Co Galway
A grand total of 11 beaches have been given Blue Flags this year:
An Trá Mhór (Inverin), Co Galway
Cill Mhuirbhigh (Aran), Co Galway
Loughrea Lake, Co Galway
Salthill, Co Galway
Silverstrand, Co Galway
Silverstrand Dugort, Co Galway
Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua), Co Galway
Traught, Co Galway
Portumna, Co Galway
Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach), Co Galway
Céibh an Spidéil, Co Galway
Co Mayo
Nine beaches in Mayo have received Blue Flags this year:
Bertra, Co Mayo
Clare Island, Co Mayo
Dooega, Co Mayo
Elly Bay, Co Mayo
Keel, Co Mayo
Keem, Co Mayo
Mulranny, Co Mayo
Ross Killala, Co Mayo
Old Head Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
Co Westmeath & Co Meath
Killinure Point, Co Westmeath,
an in-land swimming spot, has been awarded a Blue Flag.
Bettystown Beach, Co Meath
in the neighbouring county has also received a Blue Flag this year.
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Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Check out these breath-taking moments of the Irish coast captured by award-winning photographers
An Taisce's Clean Coasts announced the winning photographers of the 2025 Love Your Coast photography competition at an awards ceremony in EPIC, Dublin, which showcased the Irish Coast in all its wonder, captured by some of the best photographers in Ireland. Now in its 16th year, the competition celebrates the immense beauty and heritage of the coast and waterways that Clean Coasts' volunteers work tirelessly to protect. This year, Dublin photographer Maria Quigley's photograph, "Embrace the Water", was named the overall winner of the Clean Coasts 2025 Love Your Coast photography competition with her photo also taking first place in the new 'Connecting with the Coast' category. The photo dreamily illustrates the subject Bobby, in the golden soft morning light during his daily swim. Maria explained the process of capturing her photo 'I took this photo on January 9, 2025, when the sea was 7°C and ice covered the slipway. "Bobby, swims daily in the morning time all year-round, usually at Coliemore Harbour, his favourite spot. He says that missing a swim ruins his day. I was lucky to take the photo as the sun was rising at that time.' Dublin's Seán Bruen took first place in the 'Coastal Landscape' category with his photo titled 'Balbriggan Lighthouse Blowing a Gale,' which he took at Lambeecher, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. Helen Black of Co. Wicklow swept first place in the 'Source to Sea' category with her photo 'Let there be Light' taken at Gelndasan, Co. Wicklow. Mark O'Leary was the winner of the 'Underwater' category with his photo 'The Giants' which was captured at Loop Head, Co. Clare and the 'Wildlife and the Coast' category winner was Tom Ormond with his photo titled 'Humpback Whale' taken at Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal. Four photographs in total taken in county Wexford secured places as finalists in 2025, shining a spotlight on the diverse wildlife and beauty of the model county's coast. Richard Boyle's image "Ripples" displays the stunning colours and textures of ripples across the rocks at Seafield Bay Beach in Wexford, securing a finalist spot in the 'Coastal Landscape' category. "Shag" by Stephen Dunbar, a finalist in the 'Wildlife and the Coast' category captures a dark and fascinating portrait of the coastal bird on the Saltee Islands off the Wexford Coast. Also taken on the Saltee Islands and securing a finalist spot int the 'Wildlife and the Coast' category, Des Glynn's "Rock Pipit" was captured as the small bird catches insects amongst the fauna. A finalist in the 'Underwater' category, "Tompot Blenny" was captured by Ivan Donoghue at Hook Head. This year over 560 photographers entered a total of 1,178 photos for a placement in the top three in one of five categories and their share of the €5,000 prize fund and for a shot at the coveted title of Photographer of the Year. The five distinct categories this year focused on showcasing the interconnectedness of Ireland's waterways and how people, place and nature all connect with Ireland's vital blue spaces, be it by the beach, lake, or river. Two new categories were introduced this year to highlight this theme of Connection; Connecting with the Coast, and Source to Sea, alongside firm competition favourites of Coastal Landscape, Wildlife and The Coast, and Underwater. The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has been proud to support the 'Love Your Coast' Awards for many years. Love Your Coast provides a powerful forum for Ireland's most creative photographers to showcase our spectacular and beautiful coast and seas. The visual legacy that has been built up over the years will provide a powerful record for the future. Support for this inspiring programme is transferring to the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment who welcome and look forward to ongoing engagement with An Taisce in the coming years. Clean Coasts is also sponsored by Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority. Initiatives from associated Clean Coasts groups and the Green Coast Awards act as custodians for Ireland's beaches, seas, and marine life. These initiatives ensure that the Irish coastline and beaches are maintained and managed appropriately for visitors and local communities to continue to responsibly enjoy. An Taisce's Clean Coasts Programme Manager, Bronagh Moore said "The Love Your Coast photography competition, has once again received outstanding submissions which is a testament to the hugely talented photographers we have in Ireland and how they can so creatively capture the stunning beauty of our coastline and waterways. "We introduced two new categories this year to highlight our unique connection to the water and its journey from source to shore, and it proved to be hugely popular. You can see from the beauty of the photographs, why our community groups are so motivated and work tirelessly to care for and protect our coastline, marine life and waterways.' The Love Your Coast photography competition aims to promote connection to Ireland's coastal beauty and character, as captured through the lens of talented photographers who take part in the competition year after year. Finalists shortlist and winning photo details by category: Coastal Landscape 1. 1st Place: Seán Bruen 'Balbriggan Lighthouse Blowing a Gale', taken at Lambeecher, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin 2. 2nd Place: Kevin Grace, 'Dun Laoghaire Pier Sunrise', taken at Dun Laoghaire Pier, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin 3. 3rd Place: Brendan Alexander, 'Milky Way over the Murder Hole', taken at Murder Hole Beach, Downing, Co. Donegal Finalists: 4. Richard Boyle, 'Ripples', taken at Seafield Bay Beach, Co. Wexford 5. Ann Bruen, 'Moonrise Magic' taken in Greenore, Co. Louth. 6. Ciaran Willmore, 'Light Breaker', taken at Clogher Head, Co. Kerry 7. Nina Finn-Kelcey, 'Moon Over Cromane', taken at Cromane Lower, Killorglin, Co. Kerry 8. Noel O Neill, 'Minard Castle and Snow Capped Reeks', taken at Minard Castle Lispole, Tralee, Co. Kerry 9. Adrian Fingleton, 'Milky Way', taken on Brittas Bay, Co. Wicklow 10. Michael Linehan, 'Twin Lights', taken at Great South Bull Wall, Co. Dublin. Source to Sea 1. 1st Place: Helen Black, 'Let there be Light', taken at Glendasan, Co. Wicklow 2. 2nd Place: Felix Sproll, 'Rainbow Island', taken at Pine Island, Connemara, Co. Galway 3. 3rd Place: Aoife Hester, 'Mirror Lough', taken at Kylemore Lough, Connemara, Co. Galway Finalists: 4. Lorraine Schilder, 'Sunrise on the Boyne', taken at Slane Bridge, Slane, Co. Meath 5. Adrian Hendroff, 'Lower Lake Aurora', taken in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow 6. Magnus Huber, 'Lough Inagh', taken at Lough Inagh, Connemara National Park, Co. Galway 7. Michael Goulding, 'Machair Dunes at Sunrise', taken at Machair Dunes, Mulranny, Co. Mayo 8. Terry Conroy, 'River Coming Home', taken at Keem Beach, Achill, Co. Mayo 9. Zoe Lynch, 'Beyond the Wall', taken at The Guinness Lake, Lough Tay, Ballinastoe, Co. Wicklow 10. Barry Murphy, 'Beautiful Autumn Waterfall', taken in Glenmalure, Co. Wicklow Connecting with the Coast 1. 1st Place: Maria Quigley, 'Embrace the Water', taken Coliemore Harbour, Dalkey, Co. Dublin. Also, winner of the overall 'Photographer of the Year' Award 2025 2. 2nd Place: Martin Byrne, 'Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway', taken at White Bay Beach, Co. Cork. 3. Joint 3rd Place: Darragh Gorman, 'Play', taken at Rossnowlagh Co. Donegal 4. Joint 3rd Place: Sasha Coen, 'Out of my Depth', taken at Murder Hole Beach, Sheephaven Bay, Co. Donegal Finalists: 5. Kevin Doyle, 'Golden Surge', taken at Tramore Beach, Co. Waterford 6. Mark Simpson, 'Evening Walk', taken at Sandymount Beach, Co. Dublin 7. Seán Berry, 'Kick about at the Beach', taken at Gyles Quay Co. Louth 8. Dave Stanley, 'What a Wonderful World', taken in Bettystown, Co. Meath 9. Shauna Ward, 'Yolanda in the Sea', taken at Mullaghmore, Co. Sligo 10. Felix Sproll, 'Jumping over the Moon', Blackrock Diving Tower, Salthill, Co. Galway Underwater 1. 1st Place: Mark O'Leary, 'The Giants', taken at Loop Head, Co. Clare 2. 2nd Place: Shazia Waheed, 'Blue-rayed Limpets', taken at Pollock Holes, Kilkee, Co. Clare 3. 3rd Place: Annegret Pfuetzner, 'Firework Anemone', Kilbricken, Co. Galway Finalists: 4. Stephen Frawley, 'Dancing in the Light', taken at Sandycove, Co. Dublin 5. Anna Kellagher, 'Cloaked Hermit Crab', taken in Portmagee, Co. Kerry 6. Brian Casey, 'Want to Play?', taken in Dalkey Island, Co. Dublin 7. Derek Bolton, 'Emerald Jewel', taken at Small Sovereign Island, Oysterhaven Bay, Co. Cork. 8. Éabha Hughes, 'Hiding in Plain Sight', taken in Kilkee, Co. Clare. 9. Ivan Donoghue, 'Tompot Blenny', taken at Hook Head, Co Wexford 10. John Bennett, 'Camouflage and Calm, Nature's Illusionist', taken at Cape Clear Island, Co. Cork Wildlife and the Coast 1. 1st Place: Tom Ormond, 'Humpback Whale', taken at Donegal Bay, Co. Donegal. 2. 2nd Place: Dan Ryan, 'Death At Dusk', taken at Dungarvan Harbour, Co. Waterford 3. 3rd Place: Christopher Howes, 'Sealed with a Kiss', taken at Brides Head, Wicklow Town, Co. Wicklow Finalists: 4. Stephen Dunbar, 'Shag', Saltee Islands, Co. Wexford 5. Des Glynn, 'Rock Pipit', Great Saltee Island, Co. Wexford 6. Anna Kellagher, Sunbathing Lizard, Derrynane Co. Kerry 7. Fabienne Perrin, 'Cormorant Twin', taken at Ireland's Eye, Co Dublin 8. Piotr Rak, 'Scavenger', Taken at North Bull Island Nature Reserve 9. Christopher Martin, 'Grey Seal Meal', taken at the River Lee, in Cork City 10. Christopher Howes, 'Star Fisher', taken at Arklow South Beach, Arklow, Co. Wicklow


The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The underrated blue-flag Irish beach near seaside town with golden sands, incredible views, rock pools and windsurfing
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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- The Irish Sun
The seafront hotel right by award-winning beaches in the UK
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