A RECORD NUMBER of Blue Flags have been handed out to beaches and marinas around Ireland this year.

A total of 99 beaches and marinas have been awarded and recognised for having excellent water quality and for maintaining other standards, including safety standards.

It is an international award which is operated in Ireland by An Taisce.  You can view a map of this year’s beaches, here.

Map of this year's Blue Flag beaches.

Below are the following beaches who have been awarded.

Co Donegal:

A total of 14 beaches and marinas were awarded Blue Flags in Co Donegal this year. The list includes:

1. Bundoran, Co Donegal
2. Carrickfinn, Co Donegal
3. Culdaff, Co Donegal
4. Downings, Co Donegal
5. Fintra, Co Donegal
6. Killahoey, Co Donegal
7. Magherawarden (Portsalon), Co Donegal
8. Marblehill, Co Donegal
9. Murvagh, Co Donegal
10. Rossnowlagh, Co Donegal
11. Portnoo /Narin, Co Donegal
12. Stroove, Co Donegal
13. Greencastle Marina, Co Donegal
14. Rathmullan Marina, Co Donegal

Co Louth

Three beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags in Co Louth this year:

1. Port/Lurganboy, Co Louth
2. Clogherhead, Co Louth
3. Shellinghill/Templetown, Co Louth

Co Cork

A total of 14 beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags in Co Cork:

1. Redbarn Beach, Co Cork
2. Barley Cove, Co Cork
3. Inchydoney East Beach, Co Cork
4. Fountainstown, Co Cork
5. Youghal Front Strand, Co Cork
6. Barley Cove, Co Cork
7. Garretstown, Co Cork
8. Garrylucas, Co Cork
9. Inchydoney West Beach, Co Cork
10. Owenahincha, Co Cork
11. Tragumna, Co Cork
12. Youghal Claycastle, Co Cork
13. Kinsale Yacht Club, Co Cork
14. The Royal Cork Yacht Club, Co Cork

Co Sligo

Three beaches in Co Sligo have received Blue Flags this year:

1. Mullaghroe, Co Sligo
2. Rosses Point, Co Sligo
3. Enniscrone, Co Sligo

Co Dublin

Four swimming hotspots in the capital have been awarded Blue Flags:

1. Portmarnock/Velvet Strand, Co Dublin
2. Seapoint, Co Dublin
3. Donabate, Balcarrick Beach, Co Dublin
4. Killiney, Co Dublin

Co Wicklow

Three beaches and marinas in Co Wicklow have been awarded this year:

1. Brittas Bay North Beach, Co Wicklow
2. Brittas Bay South Beach, Co Wicklow
3. Greystones, Co Wicklow

Co Clare 

Ten swim and surf spots in Co Clare will have Blue Flags flying this summer:

1. Ballycuggeran (Killaloe), Co Clare
2. Fanore, Co Clare
3. Kilkee, Co Clare
4. Lahinch, Co Clare
5. Mountshannon, Co Clare
6. Spanish Point, Co Clare
7. White Strand Doonbeg, Co Clare
8. White Strand Miltown Malbay, Co Clare
9. Kilrush Marina, Co Clare
10. Cappagh Pier, Co Clare

 Co Kerry

A total of 15 beaches and marinas in The Kingdom have been awarded:

1. Ballinskelligs, Co Kerry
2. Ballybunion North, Co Kerry
3. Ballybunion South, Co Kerry
4. Ballyheigue, Co Kerry
5. Banna, Co Kerry
6. Derrynane, Co Kerry
7. Fenit Strand, Co Kerry
8. Inch, Co Kerry
9. Kells, Co Kerry
10. Rossbeigh, Co Kerry
11. Ventry, Co Kerry
12. White Strand Cahersiveen, Co Kerry
13. Fenit Marina, Co Kerry
14. Magherabeg, Co Kerry
15. Portmagee Seasonal Visitors Pontoons, Co Kerry

Co Wexford

Eight beaches and marinas in Wexford have received Blue Flags this year:

1. Ballinesker Beach, Co Wexford
2. Curracloe, Co Wexford
3. Morriscastle, Co Wexford
4. Rosslare, Co Wexford
5. Carne, Co Wexford
6. Kilmore Quay Marina, Co Wexford
7. New Ross Marina, Co Wexford
8. Ballymoney North Beach, Co Wexford

Co Waterford

Four swimming locations in Waterford have been awarded this year:

1. Clonea, Co Waterford
2. Councillors Strand Dunmore East, Co Waterford
3. Ardmore, Co Waterford
4. Tramore Beach, Co Waterford

Co Galway

A grand total of ten beaches have been given Blue Flags this year:

1. An Trá Mhór (Inverin), Co Galway
2. Cill Mhuirbhigh (Aran), Co Galway
3. Loughrea Lake, Co Galway
4. Salthill, Co Galway
5. Silverstrand, Co Galway
6. Trá an Dóilin (An Cheathrú Rua), Co Galway
7. Traught, Co Galway
8. Portumna, Co Galway
9. Trá Inis Oírr (Main Beach), Co Galway
10. Céibh an Spidéil, Co Galway

Co Mayo

Ten beaches in Mayo have received Blue Flags this year:

1. Bertra, Co Mayo
2. Clare Island, Co Mayo
3. Dooega, Co Mayo
4. Elly Bay, Co Mayo
5. Keel, Co Mayo
6. Keem, Co Mayo
7. Mulranny, Co Mayo
8. Ross Killala, Co Mayo
9. Old Head Beach, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
10. Silverstrand Dugort, Co Mayo

Co Westmeath & Co Meath

Killinure Point, Co Westmeath, an in-land swimming spot, has been awarded a Blue Flag. Bettystown Beach, Co Meath in the neighbouring county has also received a Blue Flag this year.