Killiney and Portrane beaches in Co Dublin and Brittas Bay in Co Wicklow have reclaimed "blue flag" bathing status in this year's awards. But the overall number of Irish beaches and marinas meeting the environmental safety standard has slipped by two to 77.
In the 2004 International Blue Flag Awards, to be announced today, Dublin is the biggest winner, increasing its number of blue flag beaches from one to three.
Kerry has again received the highest number of blue flags, with 13, while Donegal comes next with 12.
Waterford increased its total by one with the return of blue flag status to Councillors Strand at Dunmore East. An application for Tramore Beach was unsuccessful, however, as it failed the guide limit on faecal coliforms.
An application for the beach beside Spiddal Pier in Galway was rejected on the same grounds, while two other beaches in Galway lost their blue flags for non-compliance with water-quality criteria: Trá na mBan, An Spidéal, and An Trá Mor, Caol Rua, Inverin.
While the number of blue flags awarded to Irish beaches remained the same - 73 - as in 2003, the number of marinas achieving the award dropped from six to four. "This is due to stricter criteria from the International Blue Flag Jury, which now demands that all marinas carry out an environmental audit," said An Taisce, which co-ordinates the awards scheme in Ireland.
The two blue-flag marinas which are not listed this year are Mountshannon, Co Clare, and Fenit, Co Kerry. However, both are listed as blue-flag beaches.
Speaking in advance of an awards ceremony today at Killiney beach, the Minister for the Environment, Mr Cullen, commended Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council for its "concerted effort" to achieve the high standards required for blue flag status. "The return of the blue flag to Killiney highlights the marked improvement of water quality along the eastern coast of Ireland," he said.
Last year, Seapoint was the only blue flag beach in Co Dublin, and Greystones the only one in Co Wicklow. Both have retained their status in this year's awards.
There was worse news for Mayo, which lost three of its blue flags: those at Keem Beach, Achill; Carrowmore Beach, Louisburgh; and Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet. Keem failed the mandatory limit on faecal and total coliforms, while Carrowmore and Mullaghroe failed the guide limit on total coliforms.
Another beach to lose its blue flag was Owenahincha, Rosscarbery, Co Cork, due to "breaches of imperative environmental management criteria". An Taisce noted that the beach had an ongoing serious litter problem, which would hopefully be rectified this year.
Applications were received for five other beaches, and while each met blue flag water-quality standards, they were deemed ineligible because this had yet to be confirmed over two successive years. The five beaches were Malahide and Donabate in north Co Dublin: Port/Lurganboy and Shelling Hill/Templetown in Co Louth: and Trá na bhForbacha, Furbo, Co Galway.
Some 2,312 beaches and 695 marinas have been awarded blue flags in Europe. For the first time, Montenegro is included in the international scheme, receiving six awards.
