WATERFORD has retained its Blue Flag status for all five beaches awarded last year, and Green Coast Award status for all six beaches also awarded in 2020.
The five beaches in Waterford awarded the Blue Flag this year are Clonea, Counsellors’ Strand in Dunmore East, Dunmore Strand, Tramore Beach and Ardmore Beach.
A record 93 Blue Flags for clean beaches and marinas have been awarded this year, an increase of two on the previous year.
Inchydoney east beach in Cork has received a Blue Flag for the first time, while Warren in Cork, Killiney in Dublin and Golden strand in Mayo regained their clean status this year.
The counties with the most Blue Flags are Donegal and Kerry with 14 each.
Six locations in Co. Waterford retained a Green Coast Award including three in Ardmore – Ballyquin, the Curragh and Goat Island Beach.
While the Guillamene Cove, Newtown Cove and Annestown also were awarded the Green Coast Award.
One beach in the South East – Ballymoney North beach in Wexford – did not retain its Blue Flag status.
PICTURE: Naoise Culhane
