The Blue Flag is an international award for beach excellence and is operating in Ireland by An Taisce, with support from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, since 1987.
The award is presented to beaches and marinas which have excellent water quality and which achieve high standards across a wide range of other criteria including environmental education, management of the environment, safety and other services
The Green Coast Award is given to sites which have excellent water quality but which may be less developed and less populated than Blue Flag beaches.
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of Clean Coasts Volunteer Groups.
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Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government Eoghan Murphy said: "Blue Flags are a globally recognised symbol of excellent water quality, and I’m delighted that 88 beaches and marinas across Ireland are today receiving this award.
"The attainment of 62 Green Coast Awards, the highest number since the inception of the awards in 2003, is extremely welcome.
"As Minister, I am committed to working with a wide range of stakeholders to protect and improve the quality of our waters and I commend the great efforts made by Local Authorities, An Taisce, local coastal communities and other volunteers on the ground."
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Here's the awards that were handed out to Dublin beaches in 2019:
Blue Flag
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council - Seapoint - Awarded 2018 - Retained 2019
Fingal County Council - Portmarnock/Velvet Strand - Awarded 2018 - Retained 2019
Green Coasts
Fingal County Council - Burrow Beach, Sutton Sutton - Dinghy Club
Fingal County Council - Velvet Strand, Portmarnock - Portmarnock Community Association Beach Committee
