Blue Flag Beaches Named

Ireland's enjoys some of the cleanest beaches in Europe. And this was once again illustrated

leading Enironmental group An Taisce recently announced its annual list of blue flag beaches, with a total of 80 beaches receiving the coveted stamp of quality.

Blue flag status is a awarded annually by the European Union to beaches with excellent water quality and other amenities, including environmental management and education. Counties and localities covet this award, especially the tourism destinations along the West Coast of Ireland, whose economy benefits greatly from amenity seeking visitors.

Conversely shame falls upon those localities that lose their status, often due to the improper management of sewage treatment. Ireland has experienced numerous examples of this in recent years, due to unprecedented growth and poor planning. Last year Ireland's EPA revealed that 26 beaches across Ireland failed water quality standards for safe swimming.

It is in this context that the annual Blue Flag Awards make headlines, not for the 80 pristine beaches, but for those beaches that lost their status. Most notably among the losers this year were Rosses Point and Youghal.

Loss of Blue Flag status often serves as a wake-up call for local leaders, prompted to action in an effort to mitigate the violations. Such was the case this year at Sea Point in Dublin, and Salthill in Galway last year, both places having worked to improve water quality and regain Blue Flag status.

recognized by the European Union