Three of Louth’s beaches - Clogherhead, Port, and Templetown - have retained their Blue Flag status for 2025, while Seapoint beach in Termonfeckin has been awarded a Green Coast Award.

The awards were presented by Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD, at a ceremony held at Kilmacoe, Co. Wexford, overlooking Curracloe’s Blue Flag beach, on Friday last.

This year marks the 38^th year of the International Blue Flag programme.  A world-renowned award trusted by millions around the globe, the Blue Flag programme is operated in Ireland by An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland, on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). 

Beaches and marinas that achieve this accolade must comply with a specific set of criteria relating to water quality, information provision, environmental education, safety and beach management.

This year also marks the 22nd anniversary of the National Green Coast Programme. The Green Coast Award recognises beaches that boast excellent water quality and are valued for their natural, untouched beauty.

 “These awards are testament to the tireless efforts of Louth County Council, coastal groups, and the community to protect and enhance our coastline” said Mayor of Drogheda Cllr Paddy McQuillan.

“As we celebrate Volunteering Week, it's important to highlight the key role played by voluntary Clean Coasts groups. These dedicated volunteers take part in community clean-ups and work alongside Louth County Council to help manage the nominated beaches.”

At its core, the Green Coast Award programme aims to build strong community partnerships to protect and improve local coastal environments, while also honouring the hard work and commitment of those communities.

At the 2025 Blue Flag raising ceremony at Clogherhead Beach, David Conway, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, expressed his strong support for the Blue Flag Programme, stating: “We take great pride in the collaborative efforts that made this achievement possible.

“In particular, during Volunteering Week, we want to acknowledge the incredible dedication of the volunteers who work tirelessly to keep our coastlines clean and beautiful. Louth County Council remains firmly committed to protecting our environment for future generations.”

“These awards are not just symbols—they represent the pride we have in our coastline and the collaborative efforts of local volunteers, visitors, and Louth County Council in maintaining and improving these spaces,” said Cllr. Declan Power.

Particular praise was reserved for Clogherhead Beach, the heart of Cllr. Power’s home village, where community spirit plays a vital role in its upkeep:

“Clogherhead is a source of immense pride—not just for me personally, but for the entire community. From early morning swimmers to families on a summer’s day, this beach is part of our identity. I walk this beach daily and am always in awe of its natural beauty. We are just blessed to have this wonderful amenity on our doorstep.

We owe a huge thanks to the many locals and visitors who take the time to do occasional litter picks and treat the beach with respect. Their care and commitment directly support our ability to retain Blue Flag status,” Cllr. Power said.

He also acknowledged the proactive role of Louth County Council, whose ongoing maintenance and environmental monitoring ensure the county’s coastline remains one of Ireland’s finest:

“We are fortunate to have a council team that understands the value of our coast and supports its preservation. I’m currently working closely with Louth County Council on two key improvement initiatives at Clogherhead: upgrading the public toilets and installing new decking and boardwalks to improve beach accessibility.

These measures will not only enhance the visitor experience but also help future-proof our beach and strengthen our efforts to retain Blue Flag accreditation year after year.”

A record-breaking 99 awards were announced by the Minister for the 2025 season, with 89 beaches and 10 marinas in Ireland receiving the Blue Flag Award, while 70 beaches were awarded the Green Coast Award.

Further information on the Blue Flag and Green Coast awards may be found at www.beachawards.ie