Twelve Donegal beaches have held onto their International Blue Flags this year, it has been announced.
They are:
- Culdaff
- Bundoran
- Carrickfinn
- Downings
- Fintra
- Killahoey
- Marble Hill
- Murvagh
- Naran
- Portsalon
- Rossnowlagh
- Stroove
Blue Flag Marina awards have again been given to Greencastle and Rathmullan.
Green Coast Awards have also been awarded again to Ballyheirnan, Dooey Beach, Drumnatinney and Magheroarty Beach.
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels and has been awarded for the past 36 years.
For the 2023 season, 159 awards were conferred by An Taisce, marking a notable milestone as two additional sites received the prestigious award this year.
During today’s ceremony, 84 beaches and ten marinas in Ireland received the Blue Flag, while 65 beaches were awarded the Green Coast Award. The new Blue Flag beaches are in Mayo: Bertra, Clare Island (Louisburgh) and Old Head. The 3 extra Green Coast sites awarded are Carrowniskey Beach, County Mayo, awarded for the last time in 2019,
Bettystown in County Meath, awarded for the first time, and Rosslare Harbour Beach in County Wexford, last awarded in 2021.
Ms. Cathy Baxter, Director of the Environmental
Education Unit of An Taisce, said: “It takes immense dedication
and effort to manage a beach or marina to meet the rigorous standards set by these prestigious award programmes, and we extend our warmest congratulations to all the deserving sites that have achieved this remarkable reward.”
