An Taisce has announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2022. Eighty-five Irish beaches and 10 marinas have been awarded the Blue Flag for 2022, up two on last year’s total. With 15 Green Coast Award beaches, Cork is once again top of the table.
West Cork beaches that retained their Blue Flag status for 2022 are Barley Cove, Garretstown, Garrylucas White Strand, Inchydoney East Beach, Inchydoney West Beach, Owenahincha Little Island Strand and Tragumna.
The Warren in Rosscarbery has unfortunately lost its Blue Flag for this year but still received a classification of ‘Good’, the second highest classification available based on analysis of bathing water samples over the past four bathing seasons.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. An important aspect of this award is the involvement of Clean Coasts groups, comprised of tens of thousands of volunteers nationwide. These volunteers participate in community clean-ups and in cooperation with Local Authorities help sensitively manage their local beaches throughout the year.
Green Coast beaches and strands in West Cork are Sherkin Island Silver Strand, Ballyrisode, Galley Cove, Dooneen Pier, Red Strand, Cadogan’s, Garnish Beach and Inchydoney East.
