7 Galway beaches retain blue flags

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Seven Galway beaches have retained their blue flag status, awarded for bathing water quality, safety, and facilities
An Taisce has awarded 80 blue flags to beaches and marinas around the country
In the city, Salthill and Silverstand beaches have retained their Blue Flag awards.
In the county, five beaches have retained their status- Traught beach, Cill Mhuirbhigh, Loughrea, Tra an Doilin and Tra Mhor, Indreabhan.
In addition, Galway locations have secured 8 Green Coast Awards.
Salthill, Silverstand, Aillebrack, Dumhach, East End Inisbofin, Renvyle, Trá Inis Oirr and Trá na gCaorach, Inis Oirr were among 54 amenities nationwide to secure the status.
Dog’s Bay lost its Green Coast Award due to considerable infrastructural damage at the beach as a result of storm damage.
While Trá gCaorach on Inis Oirr has received a Green Coast Award for the first time.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
Nationally, five beaches at Bertra and Mulranny in Mayo, Rossbeigh in Kerry and Miltown Malbay and Spanish Point in Clare all lost out, because they were damaged during Spring storms.
Meanwhile, 4 beaches in north Co. Dublin regained their Blue Flags – Portmarnock, Portrane, Donabate and Skerries South Beach.
Similarly, Morriscastle in Wexford and North Ballybunion in Kerry regained their flags, while in Waterford, 2 blue flags were regained for Councellors Strand and Dunmore Strand.