Traught Beach in Kinvara has lost its Blue Flag status over its water quality, while Trá Inis Oírr has been awarded it for the first time.
Trá Inis Oírr is one of eight beaches in Galway to receive the Blue Flag for 2022, with the other seven retaining their’s.
Galway County has Portumna, Loughrea Lake, Trá Inis Oírr, Trá Mhór in Indreabhán, Trá an Dóilin in An Ceathrú Rua, and Cill Mhuirbhigh on Inis Mór.
Salthill and Silverstrand in the city were also re-awarded blue flags for the 2022 season which runs from June 1 until September 15.
Traught Beach is one of five in the country which has lost its Blue Flag this over due to water quality.
The Blue Flag programme in Ireland is operated by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education.
The world recognised programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and eco-tourism boats around the world.
Eight Galway beaches Galway has also received Green Coast Awards today, with two in the city and six in Galway county.
In the city Salthill and Silverstrand have been awarded the Green Coast accolade, along with An Trá and Trá Poll na gCaoirach on Inis Oirr, Renvyle Beach, East End Bay on Inisboffin, Dumhach Beach and Aillebrack/Silver Hill.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty that attracts visitors.
Ian Diamond, Coastal Awards Manager for An Taisce praised the winners of this year’s awards for the effort they put into maintaining their beaches.
“It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to manage a beach or marina to the excellent standards required by these award programmes.”
This years marks the 35th anniversary of the Blue Flag programme which launched worldwide in 1987, after starting in France.
Minister of State Malcolm Noonan said that in that time, “the Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality.”
In total, 95 beaches were awarded Blue Flag status in Ireland this year, with 62 achieving the Green Coast award.
Salthill and Silverstrand in Galway City and Trá Inis Oirr were three of just five in the country to receive both the Blue Flag and the Green Coast awards this year.
