Mayo's 12 Blue Flag beaches: Where are they located?
Keem Beach on Achill Island is among the 12 Mayo beaches to receive Blue Flag awards.
Mayo's beaches have received 12 Blue Flags and eight Green Coast Awards for 2024.
The awards were announced by An Taisce and presented by Hildegarde Naughton TD, Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Education, at a ceremony held in the Galway Bay Hotel on Monday week last.
The Blue Flag is an international award that recognises beach excellence and water quality. The Blue Flag Programme is operated in Ireland by An Taisce.
Mayo has received Blue Flags for the following beaches: Clare Island; Keem Beach, Achill Island; Dooega Beach, Achill Island; Dugort Beach, Achill Island; Elly Bay, Belmullet; Golden Strand, Achill Island; Keel Beach, Achill Island; Bertra Beach, Murrisk; Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet; Mulranny Beach; Old Head, Louisburgh and Ross Beach, Killala.
The Green Coast awards are given to beaches which have excellent water quality but may be less developed and less populated than Blue Flag beaches. The Mayo beaches are: Tranaun Beach, Inishturk; Cross, Louisburgh; Carrowniskey Beach; Srah Beach; Termon Beach; Cross, Erris Peninsula; Rinroe and Portacloy Beach.
Jim Horan, Administrative Officer, Environment, Climate Change and Agriculture at Mayo County Council, welcomed the news.
“Once again we are delighted to have been awarded 12 Blue Flag beaches in Mayo. The Blue Flag award is international recognition of the excellent beach and water quality at these Mayo beaches.
“We are also delighted to have been given eight Green Coast awards this year, up by two on the 2023 season. Both Portacloy and Cross Beach, Louisburgh having regained their Green Coast status this year.
“The Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards are a global recognition of the high standards of Mayo beaches, and I would like to acknowledge to all our local community groups, stakeholders, and other agencies for all their efforts in ensuring that our beaches continue to be maintained to the high standards required to be awarded Blue Flag and Green Coast for the 2024 bathing season. The continued partnerships and co-operation are reflected in these excellent 2024 awards.
“Finally, we would ask all beach users this summer to continue to be responsible, follow the instructions of the lifeguards, be aware of dog restrictions and to leave nothing behind on the beach except their footprints.”
