Beaches in danger of losing Blue Flag status

A number of the country’s best known beaches are expected to lose their Blue Flag status as a result of the devastation caused by recent storms.

An Taisce, which decides on what areas receive the internationally recognised awards, is to begin a series of inspections next month of the worst affected beaches.

“There are serious concerns for some candidate Blue Flag and Green Coast Award beaches that have been devastated by the recent storms particularly where infrastructure such as access roads, car parks and other amenities have been destroyed,” said Annabel FitzGerald, manager of An Taisce’s coastal programmes.