Donegal’s stunning coastline shines once again as the county shares the top spot with Kerry for the highest number of Blue Flag awards in Ireland for 2025.
Donegal has been awarded 14 Blue Flags and 5 Green Coast awards today.
12 Blue Flags were awarded to beaches at Bundoran, Carrickfinn, Culdaff, Downings, Fintra, Killahoey (Dunfanaghy), Marble Hill, Murvagh, Narin, Portsalon, Rossnowlagh, Stroove alongside the marinas at Rathmullan and Greencastle.
Port Arthur has been awarded at Green Coast Award the first time since 2018, due in part to improved water quality over the past few years.
The Green Coast awarded beaches of 2025 are Dooey, Magheroarty, Drumnatinney, Ballyheirnan and Port Arthur.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty, with voluntary Clean Coasts groups helping maintain them to a top standard.
A record number of 99 Blue Flags and 70 Green Coast Awards are being presented nationally today.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne said: “We’ve come a long way since the beginning of Ireland’s Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and 2 marinas were recognised.
“This didn’t happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy.”
