Six Irish beaches have lost their blue flag status while five others have regained theirs, according to the 2010 list of Blue Flag-approved beaches published by An Taisce.
Beaches that lost their flags were Brittas Bay South, Co Wicklow; Ross and Oldhead, Co Mayo; Traught and Ceibh an Spidéal, Co Galway and Mullaghmore, Co Sligo.
The beaches that regained theirs were Maherabeg, Co Kerry; Claycastle and Redbarn, Co Cork; Rosses Point, Co Sligo and Portmarnock in north Dublin.
Beaches approved for a blue flag have met criteria related to water quality, environmental education and beach management. A total of 76 bathing areas around the country secured the title, the lowest number since 2000 when 72 flags were awarded. Co Kerry topped the list with 13 blue flags.
An additional six beaches received the National Green Coast Award for 2010. These awards go to beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. They do not need to have the built infrastructure required for Blue Flag status.
Minister for the Environment John Gormley said the loss of a blue flag this year was disappointing but he highlighted the fact that five new beaches were awarded the status. He said he was confident that sustained Government investment will lead to improvements in water quality in coming years.
A county-by-county breakdown of the country’s 76 Blue Flag beaches 2010:
Kerry (13 flags):
Derrynane; Ballinskelligs; White Strand-Caherciveen; Kells Bay; Rossbeigh; Inch; Vantry; Fenit; Banna; Ballyheigue; Magherabeg; Ballybunion North and Ballybunion South.
Donegal (12 flags):
Bundoran, Murvagh, Rossnowlagh, Fintra, Narin-Portnoo, Carrickfinn, Marble Hill, Lisfannon, Portsalon, Killahoey, Shroove and Culdaff.
Mayo (11 flags, lost two):
Carrowmore, Louisburg; Mulranny; Dooega, Doogort, Keem, Keel and Golden Strand in Achill; Elly Bay, Belmullet; Mullaghroe; Bertra; The Harbour, Clare Island.
Cork (10 flags):
Garryvoe; Garretstown; Garrylucas; Inchydoney; Owenahincha; Warren; Tragumna; Barleycove; Claycastle; Redbarn.
Clare (eight flags):
Doonbeg; Cappagh; Kilkee; White Strand-Miltown Malbay; Lahinch; and Fanore. Two freshwater spots on Lough Derg, Ballycuggeran and Mountshannon.
Wexford (four flags):
Courtown; Curracloe; Rosslare; Morriscastle.
Galway county (four flags, lost two):
Loughrea Lake; Tra Mhor Coill Rua; Tra an Doilin; Cill Muirbhithe.
Louth (three flags):
Templetown; Port; Clogherhead.
Galway city (two flags):
Silverstrand, Salthill.
Wicklow (two flags, lost one):
Greystones; Brittas Bay.
Waterford (two flags):
Clonea; Bunmahon.
Sligo (one flag):
Rosses Point.
Dublin city (one flag):
Dollymount Strand.
Fingal (one flag):
The Velvet Strand, Portmarnock.
Marinas (two flags):
Kilmore Quay, Wexford; Quigley’s, Westmeath.
Additional reporting PA
