Only 70 Irish beaches qualify for Blue Flag

The number of beaches in the Republic qualifying this year for the Blue Flag symbol of environmental quality has been reduced to 70 - the lowest figure since 1997 - because of concerns about water pollution and beach management.

Co Wexford has lost all four of its Blue Flags for Courtown, Curracloe, Duncannon and Rosslare, because of a failure to comply with beach management and environmental education criteria. Though Co Mayo has retained 10 Blue Flags, it lost three for Bertra, Clare Island and Old Head due to "fluctuating levels of coliform bacteria following heavy rainfall".

Co Kerry has the largest number of Blue Flag beaches in Ireland, with 13, followed by Co Donegal with 11. Co Clare has increased its number of flags to nine, with Spanish Point regaining the flag it lost in 1997. Co Cork has retained flags for all eight beaches, but Co Galway, with five flags, has so far failed to regain one for the popular Tra Mor at Inverin.

Co Wicklow's number of flags has risen to four, with Bray winning its first Blue Flag. In Co Waterford, Bunmahon has forfeited its flag on water quality grounds while Tramore has regained the flag it lost in 1994.

Enniscrone and Rosses Point are the only beaches in Co Sligo entitled to fly the flag this year, following Mullaghmore's failure to qualify on bathing water quality grounds and also due to "a breach of criteria relating to animal access and control".

Co Dublin keeps its three flags at Portrane, Seapoint and Killiney, while Co Westmeath has retained its two flags for lakeside beaches on Lough Ennell and Lough Lene. Meanwhile, a new flag for Fenit Marina in Co Kerry brings to five the number awarded to marinas.

The Blue Flag is an award given to communities that make a special effort to manage their beaches in an environmentally sensitive way. This year, more than 2,550 beaches and marinas in 21 European countries will fly the Blue Flag - including, for the first time, beaches in Estonia and marinas in Latvia. Maps and lists are available on the Blue Flag website: http//www.blueflag.org