15/05/2026
Fantastic news for Bunmahon and the Copper Coast — Bunmahon Beach has regained Blue Flag status for the first time in over 14 years.
This is a huge achievement for our village and reflects the hard work of everyone helping to protect and improve our coastline. The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most respected environmental awards, celebrating excellent water quality, safety, accessibility and environmental care.
Well done to all involved. Let’s keep working together to protect this special place for future generations.
The awards were presented by An Taisce at a ceremony hosted by Cork County Council in Mall House, Youghal, County Cork this afternoon.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan TD said, “These awards are testament to the hard work of local authorities and local communities around the country to keep our coastal areas clean. The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards and I’m proud to see so many Irish beaches and marinas receive this status today.
Those who receive this award have demonstrated high standards around water quality, biodiversity protection and have shown strong collaboration with local tourism service providers to lead the way in sustainable coastal management”.
Waterford’s coastline has been awarded three Blue Flags for the 2026 bathing season, with Bunmahon Beach receiving its first Blue Flag since 2013. Clonea Beach and Tramore Beach also retained their prestigious Blue Flag status for 2026.
While Counsellor’s Strand in Dunmore East and Ardmore Beach were not deemed eligible for Blue Flag status this year, the bathing water at both locations has been classified as of good quality.
Intense rainfall events occurred more frequently and across the entire bathing season in 2025, resulting in increased runoff from multiple sources. This had an impact in both Ardmore and Dunmore East reducing the water quality from excellent to good status.
Waterford City and County Council has commenced catchment wide investigations and remedial action in Ardmore and Dunmore East. This is to identify the source of pollution affecting bathing water quality and resulting in the rating being reduced from ‘Excellent’ water quality classification to ‘Good’ water classification for the 2026 season at both locations.
In addition to the Blue Flag awards, Waterford celebrated a significant increase in Green Coast Awards from An Taisce, rising from six to ten award-winning beaches in 2026. The Green Coast Awards recognise beaches for their unspoilt environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Bunmahon, Clonea, Tramore and Whiting Bay were newly added to this year’s list of Green Coast recipients, along with Balyquin, Curragh, Goat Island, Guillamene Cove, Kilfarassey and Newtown Cove.
Gabriel Hynes, Director of Services for Environment with Waterford City and County Council said, “We are particularly delighted that Bunmahon received a Blue Flag for the first time in over twelve years and Waterford now has three beaches that have dual Blue and Green Flag status; Bunmahon, Clonea and Tramore.
“While it is disappointing that Counsellor’s Strand and Ardmore did not retain their Blue Flags for the 2026 bathing season, the bathing water quality at both locations is of a high standard. We are actively strengthening our Water Quality team through the recruitment of additional assistant scientists and water quality support personnel. This will help us identify the causes of reduced water quality at these locations and implement the necessary remedial actions to restore Excellent water quality status in 2027.”
