Today, An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2022, with Donegal receiving 14 Blue Flags and 5 Green Coast Awards.
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.
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.
All 12 Donegal beaches and the two Donegal marinas have retained their Blue Flags from 2021, these include:
Donegal Blue Flag Beaches Awarded by Management Body 2022:
Culdaff
Bundoran
Carrickfinn
Downings
Fintra
Killahoey
Marble Hill
Murvagh
Naran
Portsalon
Rossnowlagh
Stroove
Donegal Blue Flag Marinas Awarded by Management Body 2022:
Greencastle Marina
Rathmullan Marina
Donegal Green Coast Awards:
Beach name Name of Clean Coasts Group(s) associated with the site.
Ballheirnan Mowi Ireland
Drumnatinney Cósta Glan agus Glas Falcarragh Clean Coast Group
Dooey Beach Dooey Clean Coasts Group
Magheroarty Beach Meas Larthuaisceart
Ballyheirnan Fanad Coastal Group