Four beaches fail to secure blue flags

Four Irish beaches, including two in Brittas Bay, Co Wicklow, have lost their blue flag status after failing to meet water quality standards.

The North Beach and South Beach in Brittas and Enniscrone Beach in Co Sligo failed to secure the international blue flag, while Portrane Beach in Dublin made no application as it would have failed anyway.

A total of 73 beaches and six marinas successfully secured the flags, 10 of them in Cork, 12 in Donegal and 13 each in Kerry and Mayo.

Environment Minister Martin Cullen announced the winners at a ceremony in Dublin today.