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THREE Irish beaches have been stripped of their Blue Flag status - as Ireland's top 94 bathing hotspots have been revealed. One popular seaside spot bagged the award for the first time in 28 years as 85 beaches and nine marinas were credited this year. Rush South Beach in Fingal, Ballymoney North Beach in Wexford , and Tramore in Waterford failed to hang on to their flags after the water quality dropped.

Meanwhile, Bettystown Beach, Enniscrone Beach and Traught in Kinvara were not recognised last year but have all been awarded for the coming bathing season. Meath's Bettystown Beach landed its first Blue Flag since 1996, while Enniscrone Beach in Sligo is being awarded for the first time since 2014. And Enniscrone, which is also in Co Sligo, has also been awarded for the first time since 2014.



Eighty-two of the 85 beaches awarded last year have retained Blue Flag status for the 2024 bathing season. Speaking at a ceremony today Minister of State Hildegarde Naughton said: "It is my great pleasure to congratulate all of the recipients of International Blue Flags and Green Coast Awards today. "For Ireland to be the home of 94 Blue Flags across the length and breadth of our beautiful beaches and marinas.

"As a Galway Minister, I am particularly proud to see the return of the Blue Flag to one of my own local swimming spots, Traught Beach in Kinvara, I know that this will be of particular note and celebration for many Galway swimmers." The Blue Flag is one of the world's most recogni.

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