An Taisce announced Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at a ceremony in County Cork on May 15. Galway received 18 awards in total, with 10 beaches awarded Blue Flag status and eight beaches receiving Green Coast awards. Blue Flag beaches include The Long Point Loughrea, Portumna Bathing Area, Traught beach Kinvara, Céibh an Spidéil, An Trá Mhór Indreabhán, Trá an Dóilín An Cheathrú Rua, and Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh Inis Mór. Green Coast beaches include Silver Hill/Aillebrack, Dumhach Beach, East End Bay in Inishbofin, Renvyle Beach, and Trá Poll na gCaorach in Inis Oírr. An Trá Inis Oírr, Salthill, and Silverstrand in Galway city received both awards. Blue Flag status reflects environmental sustainability, safety, and accessibility, while Green Coast recognizes cleanliness and quality.
"An Taisce announced the winners of the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards at a ceremony held in County Cork on May 15. In total, 10 Galway beaches were awarded the Blue Flag status and eight received the Green Coast award. County Galway beaches that were awarded the Blue Flag status are: The Long Point Loughrea, Portumna Bathing Area, Traught beach Kinvara, Céibh an Spidéil, An Trá Mhór Indreabhán, Trá an Dóilín An Cheathrú Rua, and Trá Chill Mhuirbhigh Inis Mór."
"While five county beaches also obtained the Green Coast award for 2026. They are: Silver Hill/Aillebrack, Dumhach Beach, East End Bay in Inishbofin, Renvyle Beach, and Trá Poll na gCaorach in Inis Oírr. An Trá Inis Oírr as well as Salthill and Silverstrand in Galway city were bestowed a dual award gaining both Blue Flag status and a Green Coast award."
"Silverstrand beach in Barna has been at the centre of rows over signage banning a series of water sport activity which groups say is contrary to the Blue Flag standard. The standard specifies the necessity for indicators between sport and swim areas if represented on the beach, but not the requirement to have a designated sport area."
"“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,” Galway County Council Cathaoirleach David Collins said. Gaining Blue Flag status is a highly sought after award for coastal areas showing the beaches environmental sustainability efforts and prioritisation of safety and accessibility. The Green Coast Award is given to beaches that maintain a high standard of cleanliness and quality."
Read at Irish Independent
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