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 84 beaches and 10 marinas have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2023, with the addition of 3 additional Blue Flag beaches in Mayo: Bertra, Clare Island (Louisburgh) and Old Head, which was awarded for the first time since 2012.

Additionally, the Green Coast Awards recognise beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. The award was given to 65 Irish beaches this year, up three since last year. Eight beaches were awarded both a Green Coast Award and Blue Flag status for 2023:

• Fountainstown, Cork
• Inchydoney East Beach, Cork
• Balcarrick, Fingal
• Donabate, Fingal
• Salthill Beach, Galway
• Silverstrand Beach, Galway
• Trá Inis Oírr, Galway
• Baile an Sceilg, Kerry
• Ballinskelligs, Kerry
• Rosses Point Beach, Sligo

1. Ballycuggeran (Killaloe)
2. Fanore
3. Kilkee
4. Lahinch
5. Mountshannon, Lough Derg
6. Spanish Point
7. White Strand Doonbeg
8. 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. Barley Cove
2. Fountainstown
3. Garrylucas, White Strand
4. Inchydoney East Beach
5. Inchydoney West Beach
6. Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
7. Redbarn
8. Tragumna
9. Youghal, Claycastle
10. Youghal, Front Strand

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. Culdaff
2. Bundoran
3. Carrickfinn
4. Downings
5. Fintra
6. Killahoey
7. Marble Hill
8. Murvagh
9. Naran
10. Portsalon
11. Rossnowlagh
12. 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. Killiney
2. Seapoint
3. Balcarrick, Donabate
4. Portmarnock, Velvet Strand Beach
5. Rush, South Beach

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. Salthill Beach
2. Silverstrand Beach
3. An Trá Mór, Coill Rua, Indreabhán
4. Bathing Place at Portumna
5. Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór
6. Loughrea Lake
7. Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú 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. Baile an Sceilg (Ballinskelligs)
2. Ballybunion North Beach
3. Ballybunion South Beach
4. Ballyheigue
5. Banna Strand
6. Doire Fhíonáin (Derrynane)
7. Fenit
8. Fionntrá (Ventry)
9. Inch
10. Kells
11. Maharabeg
12. Rossbeigh, White Strand
13. White Strand, Caherciveen

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

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. Shelling Hill/Templetown
2. Dooega Beach, Achill Island
3. Dugort Beach, Achill Island
4. Elly Bay, Belmullet
5. Golden Strand, Achill Island
6. Keel Beach, Achill Island
7. Keem Beach, Achill Island
8. Mullaghroe Beach, Belmullet
9. Mulranny Beach
10. Ross Beach, Killala
11. Bertra
12. Clare Island, Louisburgh
13. Old Head

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 Beach
2. Clonea Beach
3. Tramore Beach

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. Brittas Bay South
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.