Six Irish beaches lose blue flag status

Six of the country's beaches have been stripped of their blue flags including those at tourist attractions such as Old Head in Mayo, Brittas Bay south in Wicklow and Mullach Mor in Sligo.

An Taisce has announced that 76 beaches have met the Blue Flag's standards for bathing water and quality.

Five beaches however regained their flags in counties Kerry, Cork, Sligo and Dublin.