The Award Season

The Blue Flag season for beaches in Ireland coincides with the bathing season which runs from June 1st to September 15th. Blue Flag sites are only awarded for one season at a time.  The marina season extends until December. These Blue Flag sites have been awarded due to their adherence to a strict number of criteria covering:

• Environmental Information and Education
• Water quality
• Safety and Services
• Environmental Management

During the season inspectors will assess each Blue Flag beach and marina to ensure compliance with the criteria. In Ireland, we are particularly fortunate to have a varied and beautiful coastline with many pristine beaches that are open to the public to enjoy. To ensure their standard we continue to make strident efforts to protect and improve our waters. This will ensure that we, and future generations, can continue to enjoy this wonderful resource.

Withdrawal of the Blue Flag Award

Where an awarded beach or marina that has been awarded a Blue Flag does not comply with the award criteria, the flag may be permanently or temporarily withdrawn from the beach. The Blue Flag has been withdrawn at following sites for the remainder of the 2023 season:

1. Greencastle Marina, Greencastle, Co. Donegal: The Blue Flag was withdrawn by Donegal County Council at the beginning of July as construction works are ongoing at the harbour on a breakwater have necesitated the closure of the seasonal marina there.

2. Kells Beach, Co. Kerry: Due to the unavailability of lifeguards from August 15th, Kerry County Council has lowered the Blue Flag at Kells from that date for the remainder of the bathing season.