Blue Flag record for beaches

IRELAND has received its highest ever number of Blue Flags for water quality with 78 beaches and four marinas being awarded the honour by the International Blue Flag Jury for 2005.

Dublin also emerged as one of only five European capital cities to achieve a Blue Flag status when Dollymount Strand became the first ever bathing area in the city to receive the prestigious award.

On a less positive note, four of the country’s best known beaches - Courtown, Curracloe, Duncannon and Rosslare which are all in Co Wexford - were among those which lost their Blue Flag status.