With 90 Blue Flags issued this year for beaches and marinas, Ireland boasts some of the most scenic, safe and splash-worthy beaches! We’ve rounded up Ireland’s Blue Flag beaches by county so you can start planning for family days of sandcastles and seaside fun!

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The beach is such a fun place to explore with so many exciting ‘treasures’ to find along the way, from shells and sea creatures to driftwood and seaweed. If you’re planning a trip to the beach, why not check out our fun Beach Scavenger Hunt for kids?

Our beach checklist might come in handy too!

What Are Blue Flag Beaches?

The Blue Flag is recognised around the world as an eco symbol of merit, with 49 countries worldwide participating.

The goal is to raise environmental awareness, and criteria includes excellent water quality, safety, cleanliness, clear signage and information, and more.

77 of the 80 beaches and all 8 marinas awarded last year have retained Blue Flag status for 2020. Bertra in Mayo and Bundoran in Donegal have regained Blue Flag status having lost it in 2019, while Youghal Claycastle has been awarded for the first time since 2011.

You May Also Enjoy Our Pick of the Best Beaches in Ireland for Families

Blue Flag Beaches in Ireland – By County

Blue Flag Beaches in Clare

Kilkee Beach, County Clare

1. Ballycuggeran (Killaloe)
2. Cappa Pier
3. Fanore
4. Kilkee
5. Lahinch
6. Mountshannon
7. Spanish Point
8. White Strand Doonbeg
9. White Strand Miltown Malbay

Find out more about family-friendly walks in Clare that make a great alternative for a day out, and don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Clare with kids – we’ve even got FREE things to do too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Cork

Inchydoney Beach, Clonakilty, Co Cork © George Karbus Photography / Failte Ireland

1. Barleycove
2. Garretstown
3. Garrylucas
4. Inchydoney
5. Owenahincha
6. Redbarn Beach
7. Tragumna
8. Youghal Claycastle

Find out more about the best beaches in Cork for families, as well as a round-up of playgrounds in Cork that parents recommend.

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Cork with kids!

Blue Flag Beaches in Donegal

Surfing at Pollan Beach, Donegal © Failte Ireland

1. Bundoran
2. Carrickfinn
3. Culdaff
4. Downings
5. Fintra
6. Killahoey
7. Magherawarden/Portsalon
8. Marblehill
9. Murvagh
10. Portnoo/Narin
11. Rossnowlagh
12. Stroove

Find out more about the best Donegal beaches for families, as well as family-friendly walks in Donegal that make a great alternative for a day out.

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Donegal with kids – we’ve even got FREE things to do too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Dublin

1. Portmarnock/Velvet Strand
2. Seapoint

While Dublin may not have a wide selection of Blue Flag beaches, it does have LOTS of options for family days out.

You definitely won’t want to miss these 40 fun and FREE things to do in Dublin with kids that includes a huge variety of options – or perhaps these ideas that are ideal for older kids and teens to do in Dublin.

Blue Flag Beaches in Galway

Silver Strand, Barna, Co Galway © Christian McLeod Photography

Due to restrictions in place to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic, it was not possible to put a lifeguard service in place for Cill Mhuirbhigh, on Inis Mór in County Galway for the bathing season. As a result, the Blue Flag has been withdrawn for this year.

1. An Trá Mhór (Inverin)
2. Loughrea Lake
3. Portumna
4. Salthill
5. Silverstrand
6. Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua)
7. Traught

If you’re looking for more ideas, these family-friendly walks in Galway make a great alternative for a day out.

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Galway with kids – we’ve even got you covered with some fun rainy day ideas too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Kerry

Derrynane Beach, Caherdaniel © Tourism Ireland

1. Ballinskelligs
2. Ballybunion South
3. Ballyheigue
4. Banna
5. Derrynane
6. Fenit
7. Inch
8. Kells
9. Magherabeg
10. Rossbeigh
11. Ventry
12. White Strand Cahirciveen

Don’t miss these 40 fun family things to do in Kerry that includes caves, waterfalls, dolphins, surfing, prehistoric footprints, and so much more!

Blue Flag Beaches in Louth

Templetown Beach, Louth. Photographer: Tom Archer © Tourism Ireland

1. Shellinghill/Templetown
2. Port/Lurganboy
3. Clogherhead

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Louth with kids – we’ve even got you covered with ideas for FREE things to do too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Mayo

Keel Beach, Achill Island, County Mayo. Photographer: Fearghus Foyle / Failte Ireland

1. Bertra
2. Carrowmore
3. Clare Island
4. Dooega
5. Elly Bay
6. Keel
7. Keem
8. Mullaghroe
9. Mulranny
10. Ross Killala
11. Silverstrand Dugort

Find out more about the best Mayo beaches for families, as well as family-friendly walks in Mayo that make a great alternative for a day out.

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Mayo with kids – we’ve even got FREE things to do too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Sligo

1. Rosses Point

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Sligo with kids – we’ve even got FREE things to do too!

Blue Flag Beaches in Waterford

Dunmore East, Waterford © Chris Hall / Tourism Ireland

1. Ardmore
2. Clonea
3. Councillors Strand Dunmore East
4. Dunmore Strand
5. Tramore

Find out more about the best Waterford beaches for families, as well as family-friendly walks in Waterford that make a great alternative for a day out.

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Waterford with kids!

Blue Flag Beaches in Wexford

Curracloe Beach, Wexford © Failte Ireland

Due to lower than normal beach sand levels, Wexford County Council have withdrawn the Blue Flag awarded to Courtown Beach.

1. Ballinesker
2. Ballymoney North
3. Carne
4. Curracloe
5. Morriscastle
6. Rosslare

Find out more about the best outdoor places in Wexford for families, as well as family-friendly walks and some of the county’s best playgrounds that make a great alternative for a day out.

Blue Flag Beaches in Wicklow

1. Greystones
2. Bray South Promenade
3. Brittas Bay North
4. Brittas Bay South

Don’t miss our pick of the top things to do in Wicklow with kids, as well as lots of great outdoor places around the county that make a great alternative for a day out.

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Have your say! How many of these Blue Flag beaches in Ireland have you visited? Which one is your favourite? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!