Pictured at the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards announcement at Mall House, Youghal, Co Cork, were, from left: Maeve Walsh, Environment Officer, Fáilte Ireland; Moira Murrell, Chief Executive, Cork County Council; Cllr Wayne Harding; Ann Dolan, Galway County Council; Mayor of County Cork, Cllr Mary Linehan Foley; and Tracey Lydon, Head of Operational Projects, Education and Community Action, An Taisce. Credit Cathal Noonan.
EIGHT BEACHES in Galway have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag Award for the 2026 bathing season, with an additional six beaches receiving the coveted Green Coast Award.
At a national awards ceremony held at in Mall House, Youghal, County Cork, on Friday, the An Taisce International Jury announced the awarding of 95 Blue Flag and 73 Green Coast Award designations for beaches throughout the country.
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards. Blue Flag beaches and bathing areas must adhere to specific criteria in the areas of water quality, waste management, biodiversity protection, education, information, safety and amenities.
Galway County Council welcomed the retention of Blue Flags for The Long Point Loughrea, Portumna Bathing Area, Traught beach Kinvara, Céibh an Spidéil, An Trá Mhór Indreabhán, Trá an Dóilín An Cheathrú Rua, Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh Inis Mór and An Trá Inis Oirr.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality, and natural beauty in scenic unspoiled areas. Another important aspect is local involvement of Clean Coast Groups who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with the local authority.
In response to the An Taisce announcement, Galway County Council expressed its appreciation to the local efforts to protect and enhance the county’s local coastal environs and welcomed the Green Coast Awards for An Trá Inis Oirr and Trá Poll na gCaorach on Inis Oirr, East End and Dumhach on Inishbofin, Aillebrack Ballyconneely and Renvyle Beach Tully.
“County Galway’s beaches are renowned for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty, and we are delighted that once again so many of them have received the coveted Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards,” commented Cllr. David Collins (FG), Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway. “Special congratulations to An Trá Inis Oirr who have dual award status by winning both a Blue Flag and Green Coast Award”.
Liam Conneally, Chief Executive of Galway County Council, stated, “These awards let our citizens and people around the world know that County Galway is open for business and that our beaches are clean, well-managed and safe to enjoy. Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag can be assured the beach will be clean, safe, and meet international bathing water quality standards, and visitors to a beach flying a Green Flag can be assured that the water is of excellent standard in a natural unspoilt location”.
Eileen Ruane, Director of Services, Environment Section said, “These awards are a credit to the hard work and dedication of our Environment and Municipal District staff, alongside community groups, stakeholders, and volunteers such as Clean Coast groups who keep our shorelines pristine. We encourage everyone to enjoy our award-winning bathing areas this summer and treat these treasured public amenities with care by leaving nothing behind but footprints”.
