Fingal beaches retain prestigious Blue Flag and Green Coast awards in 2025

As Ireland readies itself for the summer bathing season, Fingal County Council is delighted to announce it has once again been awarded Blue Flags and Green Coast Awards in 2025.

The beaches at Portmarnock (Velvet Strand) and Balcarrick Beach in Donabate have each retained their Blue Flag status, reflecting their outstanding water quality, safety, and environmental management. In addition, Balcarrick Beach has once again received a Green Coast Award, which recognise beaches for their natural beauty, clean environment, and high-quality bathing water.

Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Brian McDonagh, welcomed the news, saying: “As someone who has been swimming on Portmarnock Beach my whole life, I am delighted that we have yet again retained our flag. The Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards are a reflection of the hard work by council staff and our communities to keep our beaches clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone. I want to particularly thank all the Tidy Towns and Clean Coast groups for the work they do on our beaches." 

Director of Operations in Fingal, MaryT Daly, added: “These awards are not only about water quality but also about community engagement, environmental education, and sustainability. I want to sincerely thank all the community groups, volunteers, and residents whose ongoing efforts play such a vital role in keeping our beaches clean, safe, and environmentally sound. I encourage everyone to enjoy all of our beaches responsibly and continue supporting efforts to protect our natural coastline.”

To help maintain excellent water quality across all beaches, Fingal is also urging dog owners to clean up after their pets. Just one instance of dog poo can contaminate an area the size of a tennis court, posing a serious risk to public health. To highlight this, see this informative animation that illustrates the real impact of not picking up after your dog: https://youtu.be/7bas6zvBmM4.

For details on locations along Fingal’s 88km of coastline, visit: https://fingal.live/2p8rdrrw.