Donegal has lost two Blue Flag awards for 2026.
Portsalon beach and Greencastle Marina failed to hold on to the water quality and environmental certification.
Warden beach at Ballymastocker Strand, Portsalon was severely impacted by coastal erosion earlier this year.
As environmental experts work with Donegal County Council on a solution to the dune erosion, volunteers from the Fanad peninsula and all across Donegal have been giving up their time to restore safe access to the beach.
An Taisce reports that there was no Blue Flag application from Greencastle Marina for 2026.
Donegal now holds 11 Blue Flag awards for beaches at Bundoran, Carrickfinn, Culdaff, Downings, Fintra, Killahoey (Dunfanaghy), Marble Hill, Murvagh, Narin, Rossnowlagh, Stroove alongside a Blue Flag marina award for Rathmullan.
Dooey, Magheroarty, Drumnatinney, Ballyheirnan and Port Arthur have all held onto their Green Coast awards for beaches.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups.
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Kerry has now trumped Donegal for the number of Blue Flags, with a total of 16 flags awarded, along with five Green Flags. The Kerry-based Skellig Bounty tour boat at Valentia Island has become the first tourism boat to be awarded a Blue Flag in Ireland.
An Taisce – The National Trust for Ireland is responsible for the operation of the Blue Flag programme in Ireland on behalf of the Foundation of Environmental Education (FEE).
A total of 168 awards have been presented today at a ceremony in Cork, just one fewer than last year’s record-breaking total, with 146 beaches receiving awards, along with one tourism boat, and 9 marinas. A record-setting 73 beaches received the Green Coast Award for the 2026 Bathing Season.