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Blue Flag & Green Coast Awards

Information on Galway’s award-winning beaches and water quality standards.


Ceibh an Spideal

In Galway City and County there are fourteen beaches and two lakes where Lifeguards are employed during the Summer Season and all Blue Flag beaches are assigned Lifeguards. 

Blue Flag Awards 

The Blue flag is awarded annually. It is an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, services and safety.  

The following beaches received the Blue Flag Award in 2025: 

  • The Long Point, Loughrea Lake, Loughrea
  • Trá Inis Oírr, Inis Oírr
  • Trá an Dóilín, An Cheathrú Rua
  • An Trá Mhór, Indreabhán
  • Portumna Bathing Area 
  • Traught, Kinvara
  • Céibh an Spidéil, Spidéil
  • Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór 

Green Coasts Awards 

The Green Coast awards recognise bathing areas in less developed, scenic, unspoiled locations which have: - 

  • Excellent water quality
  • Environmental management plan drawn up in consultation with local stakeholders  

The following beaches received the Green Coast Award in 2025: 

  • Poll na gCaorach, Formna, Inis Oirr
  • Aillebrack, Ballyconneely
  • Trá Inis Oírr
  • Dumhach , Inishbofin
  • East End, Inishbofin
  • Rinvyle Beach, Tully 

For more information on the Green Coast Award programme contact An Taisce Education on 01 4002229 or log on to Green Coasts here Green Coast Award - Beach Awards (GCA).

Further information on bathing water quality in County Galway is available at http://www.bathingwater.ie.

Beach Brochures

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Contact our Environment team

Address

Environment Department
Áras an Chontae
Prospect Hill
Co. Galway
H91 H6KX

Phone numbers

Phone

Office hours

Sunday Closed
Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Saturday Closed