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.

This year 85 beaches and all 10 marinas have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2022, with the addition of 7 additional Blue Flag beaches. Trá Inis Oírr, the main beach on Inis Oirr in Galway, has received a Blue Flag for the first time. In Cork, Fountainstown and Youghal Front Strand have regained Blue Flag status along with Balcarrick Beach in Donabate.

Also back with Blue Flag status are Ballymoney North Beach, Wexford and Ballybunion North Beach, Kerry.

Additionally, the Green Coast Awards recognise beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. The award was given to 62 Irish beaches this year. Five beaches were awarded both a Green Coast Award and Blue Flag status for 2022:

• Balcarrick Beach, Donabate
• Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs) Kerry,
• Salthill, Galway
• Silverstrand, Galway City
• Trá Inis Oirr, Galway.

1. Ballycuggeran (Killaloe)
2. Cappagh Pier
3. Fanore
4. Kilkee
5. Lahinch
6. Mountshannon, Lough Derg
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!

1. Barleycove
2. Fountainstown
3. Garretstown
4. Garrylucas, White Strand
5. Inchydoney East Beach
6. Inchydoney West Beach
7. Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
8. Redbarn Beach
9. Tragumna
10. Warren, Cregane Strand
11. Youghal, Claycastle
12. Youghal, Front Strand Beach

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!

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1. Bundoran
2. Carrickfinn
3. Culdaff
4. Downings
5. Fintra
6. Killahoey
7. Portsalon
8. Marble Hill
9. Murvagh
10. Portnoo/Naran
11. Rathmullan Marina
12. Rossnowlagh
13. 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!

1. Balcarrick, Donabate
2. Killiney
3. Portmarnock/Velvet Strand
4. 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.

1. An Trá Mhór (Inverin)
2. Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór
3. Loughrea Lake
4. Portumna
5. Salthill
6. Silverstrand
7. Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua)
8. Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach)

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!

1. Ballinskelligs
2. Ballybunion North
3. Ballybunion South
4. Ballyheigue
5. Banna Strand
6. Derrynane
7. Fenit
8. Inch
9. Kells
10. Magherabeg
11. Rossbeigh
12. Ventry
13. 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!

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

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!

1. Dooega Beach, Achill Island
2. Dugort Beach, Achill Island
3. Elly Bay, Belmullet
4. Golden Strand, Achill Island
5. Keel Beach, Achill Island
6. Keem Beach, Achill Island
7. Mullaghroe, Belmullet
8. Mulranny
9. Ross Beach

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!

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!

1. Ardmore
2. Clonea Beach
3. Counsellors’ 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!

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

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.

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

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.