An Taisce (The National Trust for Ireland) has announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2025.
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.
The Blue Flag is an environmental award given to beaches and marinas throughout the world that demonstrate good environmental standards and have good sanitary and safety facilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Browne, who presented the award flags, 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 two marinas were recognised."
A record number of Blue Flags were awarded in the Republic of Ireland, with 89 to beaches and 10 to marinas.
These beaches are a record number to receive Blue Flags in Ireland, with four more than the previous record of 85.
While Céibh an Spidéal in County Galway has been awarded a Blue Flag for the first time since 2012, Keel Beach on Achill Island in County Mayo has been awarded for the 37th consecutive year - every year since 1989.
Blue Flag Beaches for the 2025 Season
Clare County Council: White Strand Doonbeg
Clare County Council: Ballycuggeran
Clare County Council: Cappagh Pier
Clare County Council: Fanore
Clare County Council: Kilkee
Clare County Council: Lahinch
Clare County Council: Mountshannon, Lough Derg
Clare County Council: Spanish Point
Clare County Council: White Strand, Miltown, Malbay
Cork County Council: Barley Cove
Cork County Council: Garretstown
Cork County Council: Inchydoney, East Beach
Cork County Council: Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
Cork County Council: Youghal Front Strand
Cork County Council: Fountainstown
Cork County Council: Garrylucas, White Strand
Cork County Council: Inchydoney West Beach
Cork County Council: Redbarn Beach
Cork County Council: Tragumna
Cork County Council: Youghal, Claycastle
Donegal County Council: Bundoran
Donegal County Council: Carrickfinn
Donegal County Council: Culdaff
Donegal County Council: Downings
Donegal County Council: Fintra
Donegal County Council: Killahoey
Donegal County Council: Marble Hill
Donegal County Council: Murvagh
Donegal County Council: Narin
Donegal County Council: Portsalon
Donegal County Council: Rossnowlagh
Donegal County Council: Stroove
DLR County Council: Killiney
DLR County Council: Seapoint
Fingal County Council: Donabate, Balcarrick Beach
Fingal County Council: Velvet Strand, Portmarnock
Galway City Council: Salthill Beach
Galway City Council: Silverstrand Beach
Galway County Council: An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán
Galway County Council: Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór
Galway County Council: Bathing Place at Portumna
Galway County Council: Loughrea Lake
Galway County Council: Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua
Galway County Council: Trá Inis Oírr
Galway County Council: Traught Kinvara
Galway County Council: Céibh an Spidéal
Kerry County Council: Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)
Kerry County Council: Ballybunion North
Kerry County Council: Ballybunion South
Kerry County Council: Ballyheigue
Kerry County Council: Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane)
Kerry County Council: Banna Strand
Kerry County Council: Fenit
Kerry County Council: Fionntrá (Ventry)
Kerry County Council: Inch
Kerry County Council: Kells
Kerry County Council: Maharabeg
Kerry County Council: Rossbeigh
Kerry County Council: White Strand, Caherciveen
Louth County Council: Clogherhead
Louth County Council: Port, Lurganboy
Louth County Council: Templetown
Mayo County Council: Bertra Beach, Murrisk
Mayo County Council: Clare Island, Louisburgh
Mayo County Council: Elly Bay, Belmullet
Mayo County Council: Dooega Beach, Achill Island
Mayo County Council: Dugort Beach, Achill Island
Mayo County Council: Keel Beach, Achill Island
Mayo County Council: Keem Beach, Achill Island
Mayo County Council: Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet
Mayo County Council: Mulranny Beach
Mayo County Council: Old Head
Mayo County Council: Ross Beach, Killala
Meath County Council: Bettystown
Sligo County Council: Enniscrone
Sligo County Council: Rosses Point Beach
Waterford City and County Council: Ardmore Beach
Waterford City and County Council: Clonea Beach
Waterford City and County Council: Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East
Waterford City and County Council: Tramore Beach
Wexford County Council: Carne
Wexford County Council: Curracloe
Wexford County Council: Morriscastle Beach
Wexford County Council: Rosslare Strand
Wexford County Council: Ballinesker Beach
Wexford County Council: Ballymoney, North Beach
Wicklow County Council: Brittas Bay North Beach
Wicklow County Council: Brittas Bay South Beach
Wicklow County Council: Greystones South Beach
Blue Flag Marinas for the 2025 Season
- Donegal County Council: Rathmullan
- Donegal County Council: Greencastle
- Kerry County Council: Fenit
- Kilrush Maritime Ltd: Kilrush
- Kilrush Maritime Ltd: Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons
- Kinsale Yacht Club: KYC
- Quigleys Marina: Quigleys, Killinure Point
- Royal Cork Yacht Club: RCYC
- Wexford County Council: Kilmore Quay
- Wexford County Council: New Ross Marina
Green Coast Awards for 2025
A record-equaling 70 Beaches receive the Green Coast Award for the 2025 Bathing Season.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
70 beaches across the country were awarded the Green Coast Award, 10 of which will be presented with both the Blue Flag & Green Coast Award, achieving dual award status. These are Balcarrick, Donabate in Fingal; Salthill and Silver Strand in Galway City, An Trá Inis Oirr in Galway County; Fountainstown and Inchydoney Beach East in Cork; Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) in Kerry; Bettystown in Meath and Enniscrone and Rosses Point in Sligo.
Port Arthur in Donegal has been awarded for the first time since 2018, due in part to improved water quality over the past few years, while Golden Strand on Achill Island has been awarded a Green Coast Award for the first time.
Cork is the county with the most Green Coast Awards this year, with 14, followed by Wexford's 10 and Mayo's nine.
Clare: Carrigaholt Beach
Clare: Ballyallia Lake
Clare: Seafield
Clare: Quilty Beach
Clare: Bishops Quarter
Cork: Ring
Cork: Ardnahinch, Shanagarry
Cork: Ballynamona Beach
Cork: Oysterhaven
Cork: Fountainstown Beach
Cork: Rocky Bay
Cork: Inchydoney East
Cork: Red Strand
Cork: Silver Strand Beach, Sherkin Island
Cork: Cadogan's Strand
Cork: Ballyrisode
Cork: Galley Cove
Cork: Dooneen Pier
Cork: Garnish Beach, Lehanmore
Donegal: Dooey Beach
Donegal: Magheroarty Beach
Donegal: Drumnatinney
Donegal: Ballyheirnan
Donegal: Port Arthur
Fingal: Balcarrick, Donabate
Galway: Trá Inis Oir
Galway: Trá Poll na gCaorach, Inis Oirr
Galway: Aillebrack, Silver Hill
Galway: Renvyle Beach (The Whitestrand)
Galway: Dumhach Beach
Galway: East End Bay, Inisbof
Galway City: Salthill Beach
Galway City: Silverstrand Beach
Kerry: Waterville
Kerry: Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)
Kerry: Béal Bán
Kerry: Castlegregory
Kerry: Littor
Louth: Seapoint Beach, Termonfeckin
Mayo: Tránaun, Inishturk
Mayo: Cross, Louisburgh
Mayo: Carrowniskey Beach
Mayo: Srah Beach
Mayo: Termon Beach
Mayo: Cross, Erris Peninsula
Mayo: Rinroe
Mayo: Golden Strand, Achill Island
Mayo: Portacloy
Meath: Mornington
Meath: Bettystown
Sligo: Enniscrone Beach
Sligo: Dunmoran Strand
Sligo: Rosses Point
Sligo: Streedagh Beach
Waterford: Newtown Cove
Waterford: Guillamene Cove
Waterford: Kilfarrassey
Waterford: Ballyquin
Waterford: Curragh
Waterford: Goat Island Beach
Wexford: Cahore Point Beach
Wexford: Old Bawn Beach
Wexford: Culleton's Gap
Wexford: Rosslare Harbour Beach
Wexford: St. Helen's Bay
Wexford: Ballyhealy
Wexford: Cullenstown Strand
Wexford: Grange
Wexford: Baginbun Beach
Wexford: Booley Bay
