Blue Flag Locations 2011

Blue Flag Locations 2011



Derrynane
This is an extensive sandy beach in Derrynane Bay. The beach is situated in proximity to a Natural Heritage Area of national importance. The village of Caherdaniel is located two miles to the north we...


Ballinskelligs
Ballinskelligs or “Baile na Sceilge” is one of the few remaining Irish speaking areas in Kerry. This is an extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The area is a designated Natural heritage area....


White Strand
The White Strand is a fine extensive sandy beach located in a designated natural heritage area. The beach is popular with locals and offers beautiful views of Valentia Island and Begnis Island. This b...


Kells
Kells is a sandy beach in a rural environment with a small harbour/ pier. The whole area is rich in flora and fauna and is both a Special Area of Conservation and a Natural herigate site. Kells is an ...


Rossbeigh
Rossbeigh is an extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The whole area is a designated natural heritage area and a Special Area of Conservation with important habitat and flora and fauna present...


Inch
This is an extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The whole area is rich in habitats and flora and fauna and is a natural heritage area and SAC. The beach is a sand spit jutting into the sea be...


Ventry
Ventry or Ceann Trá in Irish is a sandy beach located in a Natural heritage area rich in flora and fauna. The beach is situated to the south west of the village of Ventry on the Dingle Peninsula surro...


Fenit
Fenit is a sandy beach close to Fenit harbour. The area is a designated natural heritage area important for flora and fauna. The beach itself is located by a little fishing village. Fenit Beach is sit...


Banna
An extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The area has a vulnerable dune system which is protected and is a designated Special area of Conservation. The beach is located 7km north of Tralee Tow...


Ballyheigue
Ballyheigue is an extensive sandy beach. The beach is within a designated Special Area of Conservation and runs from the village of Ballyheigue southwards for over 3km as far as Black Rock or to the o...


Magherabeg
A very extensive sandy beach and dune system. The whole area is protected and is a Special area of Conservation. Beach is located 3 miles north of the town of Castlegregory on the Magherees Peninsula....


Ballybunion North
An extensive sandy beach close to the town of Ballybunion. The area is within a designated natural heritage with an extensive dune system. The beach is located minutes walk from the town and is lifegu...


Ballybunion South
An extensive sandy beach close to the town of Ballybunion. The area is within a designated Natural heritage area important for its dune system. Ballybunion is in north western Kerry and is accessible ...


Claycastle
Claycastle Beach, Youghal, is a popular local sandy beach located at the western end of Youghal, Town. It is 2 Kilometres from the town centre and is accessible to Midleton and Cork from the west. It ...


Redbarn


Garryvoe
Garryvoe is a mixed pebble beach located in the village of Garryvoe. The most direct way to approach is to leave the N25 at Castlemartyr village and follow the R632 to Garryvoe. Wheelchair access is p...


Garrylucas
This is a sandy beach with sand dunes in parts. Located beside the R604 road and adjacent to Kilcolman Marsh and The Old Head of Kinsale. The beach is lifeguarded during the bathing season (lifeguard ...


Garretstown
Garretstown is a sandy beach. It is located on the R604 road and adjacent to Kilcolman Marsh and The Old Head of Kinsale and within a short distance of Ballinspittle village by car. Public parking and...


Inchydoney
Inchydoney is a sandy Beach located on Inchadoney Island a few kilometres from the town of Clonakility. This beach is accessible by car. Public parking and toilets provided adjacent to the beach and l...


The Warren
The Warren is a small, rural sandy beach backed by dunes and located at the mouth of Rosscarbery river. It is accessed by turning off the N71 towards the coast at Warren Cross. The area around the bea...


Owenahincha
Owenahincha is a sandy beach backing onto sand dunes. The main route to approach the beach is from Clonakilty on the N71, turn off at Burgatia Cross onto the R598, which leads down to the beach. It is...


Tragumna
This is a small scenic beach located in a rural area 6km from Skibbereen with marsh and lake in background. It can be reached by turning off the R596 at Abisdealy Bridge and follow sign for Tragumna. ...


Barleycove
This sandy beach is situated between two headlands on the Mizen Peninsula in West Cork and comprises an extensive dune system. There is an interesting floating bridge in place to manage visitor access...


Youghal Front Strand
This is a sandy beach located beside Youghal town off the N25. Public car parking and toilet facilities are provided at the beach. Ballyvergen Marsh, of ornithologcal and botanical interest and of reg...


Bonmahon
Bonmahon beach is a 2.5km stretch of sandy beach located on the south east coast of Ireland. The beach is backed by sand dunes with tall cliffs offering protection and shelter to the beach area. The s...


Tramore
Tramore is a seaside town in the southeast, 13 kilometres south of Waterford city, and is one of Ireland's most popular holiday resorts. Situated on a hillside overlooking Tramore Bay,it has a fine pr...


Clonea
Clonea is a long sandy beach (over a mile long) located approximately 5km outside of Dungarvan in the south east of Ireland. The beach is wide and is gently sloping. The views from the beach and the s...


Rosslare
Rosslare Strand is located 12km south east of Wexford town and 4kilometres north west of Rosslare Europort on the southern edge of Wexford Harbour. The beach itself is comprised of sand and stone runn...


Morriscastle
Morriscastle beach is located on the East Coast of County Wexford about 6.4 kilometres south of Cahore Point. The beach is a fine sandy beach stretching approximately 3.2 kilometres in length. It is c...


Curracloe
This beach is part of a continuous stretch of wide sandy beach from Raven Point to Ballyconigar near Blackwater. It is located approximately 10km north east of wexford town in a rural area. The villag...


Courtown
Courtown beach is located approximately 6km south east of Gorey. Coastal erosion has depleted the beach significantly around the village so access and lifeguards have been moved northwards to cater fo...


Greystones
Greystones beach is a mix of pebble and sand and is located at the southern end of the town of Greystones. The beach is accessible by public transport, the DART train travels to Greystones from Dublin...


Brittas Bay North
Brittas Bay is a long sandy sheltered beach. The area is designated as a proposed Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is an area of ecological importance and habitats of interest include sand dunes...


Brittas Bay South
Brittas Bay is a long sandy sheltered beach. The area is designated as a proposed Special Area of Conservation (SAC). It is an area of ecological importance and habitats of interest include sand dunes...


Killinure Point Marina
Killinure marina is a private marina with 100 berths on the river Shannon. It is also possible to rent boats at the marina. It has the following facilities- pump out, showers, laundry, recycling recep...


Kilmore Quay Marina
This is a municipal marina located in a fishing harbour Kilmore Quay. Toilet pumping and bilge water pumping facilities are available. Only minor boat repairing is allowed. Facilities for the disabled...


Portrane
Portrane Beach is a 2kilometre long sandy beach flanked by sand dunes. There is pedestrian access only to this beach, no vehicular traffic is allowed. Parking is provided. At the north end of the beac...


Portmarnock/ Velvet Strand
The Velvet Strand is a long sandy beach, approximately 5 kilometres in length, consisting of a large sandy dune area. There are public toilets located at the northern end of the beach. Portmarnock is ...


Clogherhead
Clogherhead beach is situated adjacent to the fishing village of Clogherhead in County Louth. It is home to an Irish Sailing Association school, Outdoor Education Centre and a Royal National Lifeboat ...


Shellinghill/ Templeton
Shellinghill/Templetown, called after the crusading "Knights Templar", fronts one of Louth's most popular stretch of coastline. Protected on each side by a low level rock promontory, its smooth safe s...


Port
Port beach is located a few short miles north of the fishing village of Clogherhead. It is a remote rural beach with wide sandy shores and a wide range of flora and fauna including the Marsh Orchid. T...


Bundoran
Bundoran Beach is located approximately 250m north of Bundoran town's main street. It is a sandy beach facing Donegal Bay and the Atlantic bounded on the North and South by rocks and on the east by th...


Rossnowlagh
Belalt Strand at Rossnowlagh extends to the north-northwest for over 2km from the cliffs at Coolmore in the south to the intertial rock outcrop at Carrickfad. The beach has a broad low-angle profile w...


Murvagh
Murvagh beach is situated on the south coast of Donegal and is located off the N15 south of Donegal town. Take a right turn for Murvagh village and the road takes you down to a forest, drive through a...


Fintra
Fintra is located on the south west coast of Donegal on the outskirts of Killybegs town. Fintra receives a large number of day-trippers during the summer months and is also popular with the local comm...


Carrickfinn
Carrickfinn is an extensive sandy beach with a good dune system. Situated in Gweedore Bay which is a Natural Heritage Area with many varied coastal habitats. There are extensive machair grasslands and...


Marble Hill
Marble Hill is located on the north-northwest coast of Donegal. An extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The beach is situated in Sheephaven Bay which is of high value for wildlife. The dunes ...


Killahoey
Killahoey is more commonly known as Dunfanaghy beach, it is situated down past Dunfanaghy Golf Course on the outskirts of Dunfanaghy town. Killahoey is used mainly by locals and can be very windy as i...


Portsalon
A very extensive sandy beach on the shores of Lough Swilly. It gently slopes towards the Atlantic ocean and is located in a Natural Heritate Area. The beach at Portsalon can be reached by travelling n...


Lisfannon
This is a sandy beach on the shores of Lough Swilly. The area is a Natural Heritage Area and a key wetlands site for birds. Fahan Wood within 1km of the beach is classified as being of Regional Import...


Ballyhernan Beach
Ballyhernan Beach is located on the North West coast of Donegal approximately 4km south of Fanad Head just off the R247. It is a large sandy beach approximately 3km long with a rocky outcrop in the mi...


Culdaff
A Sandy beach on the Inishowen peninusla. The coastal habitats in this area are protected and designated a Special area for Conservation (SAC). The site is divided into distinct zones by the rocky hea...


Portnoo/ Narin
An extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The beach is backed by an extensive sand dune system with a well defined primary dune ridge. The coastal area here is a designated Natural Heritage Are...


Stroove
Stroove is located on the east coast of the Inishowen peninsula a few miles north of the village of Greencastle off the R238. It is a relatively small beach and is located close to the North Inishowen...


Enniscrone
Enniscrone Beach is located at the town of Enniscrone in west County Sligo, 13km from Ballina and 48km from Sligo town off the R297. This is a resort type beach. The beach has a 5km stretch of fine sa...


Rosses Point
Rosses Point is located 8km from Sligo town via the R291. The beach has a 2km stretch of fine sands and is backed by sand dunes. From the beach there are beautiful views of Knocknarea to the south and...


Carrowmore
Carrowmore is a machair beach which is low and flat with windswept land plains. It is set between a rocky outcrop in a small bay off Clew Bay. Sand dunes are also present. The beach is located 25km we...


Old Head
Old head is a sheltered beach with sandy substrate, sheltered by cliffs and woodland. The beach is located 16km west of Westport on the R335. Croagh Patrick is within close proximity which is a natura...


Bertra
Bertra is an exposed shore with a sandy substrate. Rocks and pebbles are deposited on the upper shore at times of spring tide. There are important sand dunes present which have been colonised by many ...


Mulranny
A popular sandy beach located south-west of Mulranny village. The area has an important stand of Mediterranean heath. The machair sand plains and saltmarsh are of interest and the area is rich in flor...


The Harbour
This is a sandy, rural beach located on an island off the coast of Mayo in the west of Ireland. Visitors can visit the island by crossing the ferry from Roonagh Pier. Roonagh Pier is approx. 6 miles f...


Dooega
Dooega beach is a sheltered shoreline located on a small coastal inlet. The northern part of the site consists of a low lying flat coastal grassland of machair which is backed by Keel. Access ramp for...


Keel
Keel is a shingle beach backed with low sand dunes. The wetter areas of machair supports low growing mosses. To the southeast of the plain the ground rises sharply and the hills are covered by blanket...


Keem
Keem is a small, sandy, rural beach, shelterd by cliffs. The cliffs support a rich amount of plants and animals.The beach is lifeguarded during the bathing season (lifeguard times are displayed on the...


Dugort
This small sandy beach located on Achill Island is within a Special Conservation Area. The low-lying flat grassland or machair is of particular interest and is rich in flora and fauna. Dugort is a sem...


Golden Strand
Golden Strand is an exposed shore with a sandy substrate. The upper limit of the shore consists of large pebbles. The presence of gently sloping sand dunes along the headlands have been colonised by m...


Mullaghroe
Mullaghroe is an exposed shore with a sandy subsrate. The shore is located near the Blacksod Bay which is an area of scientific interest. The land surrounding the shore is brackish. Salt marshes are p...


Elly Bay
Elly Bay is a fine sandy beach located on the Mullett Peninsula, 9km south of Belmullet town. The whole bay is of international ecological importance because of the diverse habitat types to be found i...


Ross Killala
This sandy beach in a rural environment is located 5 km north of Killala town. Ross strand is located along the shoreline of Killala Bay. Killala Bay is an extensive triangular estuary with mudflats l...


Loughrea Lake
Loughrea lake is an inland bathing area on the shores of Lough Rea lake. Loughrea is of International importance for waterfowl and is a designated Natural Heritage Area. From Galway city take the N6 e...


Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua)
Trá an Dóilin is an area of great natural beauty. The beach is noted for its very fine coral. The beach is lifeguard patrolled during the bathing season (lifeguard times are posted on the information ...


Céibh An Spidéal
Spiddal (An Spideal) lies 18 km west along the coast road (R336) from Galway city. Spiddal is a small village overlooking Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Spiddal forms part of the Gaeltacht region of...


Cill Muirbhthe
This is a sandy beach situated on Inishmore Island. This whole area is rich in habitats. Several rare plant species are listed in the Red Data Book. The birdlife is considered of international signifi...


Traught
Traught is a rural beach located in a Special Area of Conservation called the Galway Bay Complex. The site is of special interest for waterfowl. The range and diversity of habitats are of unique conse...


An Trá Mhór
An Trá Mhór is a sandy beach in a rural, Irish speaking area. Take the R336 from Galway city. This beach is in the townland of Indreabhán. Trá Mhór Choill Rua is lifeguarded during the bathing season ...


Salthill
The beach at Salthill is actually several small beaches separated by outcrops. Some of the beaches are sandy and some pebbly. It is located in Galway city and on Galway Bay, a Special Area of Conserva...


Silverstrand
Silverstrand is a shallow, sandy beach of approximately 0.25km bounded on one side by a cliff and the other by rocks. It is particularly popular with and suitable for young families. It faces directly...


Kilkee
In the town of Kilkee, this crescent shaped beach of golden sand shelves gently seawards. The beach has a number of interesting pools and good cliff walks. The beach is located at Kilkee town N67 from...


Cappa Pier
Cappa is a small rocky beach. There is a small pier and harbour. Close to Scattery Island which is a worthwhile place to visit. A good place for birdwatchers. Cappa is located on the R473, 1km from Ki...


Doonbeg
Doonbeg is a sandy beach which is in a designated Natural Heritage Area of ecological importance and also a Special area of Conservation (SAC). Take the N67 to Doonbeg. On the Killard road turn at the...


White Strand Miltown Malbay
Miltown Malbay is a relatively small sandy beach with rocky shoreline. There are good walks around the headland.From the town of Miltown Malbay take the N67 to the northeast for 2km. Miltown Malbay is...


Lahinch
Lahinch beach faces the open Atlantic Ocean. A large crescent-shaped sandy beach close to Liscannor. Close to the Burren area with its unique limestone landscape. To reach the beach from Ennistymon ta...


Fanore
Fanore located on the west Clare coastline is exposed to the Atlantic swell. It boasts golden sand and delicate limestone cliffs, and is located close to the heart of the Burren area which can be fasc...


Ballycuggeran
Ballycuggeran is a small lakeside bathing area in a designated conservation area. Lough Derg is one of the major freshwater lakes of Ireland. The area is of significant ecological interest with five h...


Mountshannon
A small lakeside bathing area. Lough Derg is one of the major freshwater lakes of Ireland. The lake is of significant ecological interest, with five habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Direc...