Sligo County Council has been notified by An Taisce of the results of its Blue Flag and Green Coast Award applications for the 2026 bathing season.
Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards 2026
The Irish Blue Flag Jury met on 18 February 2026 and nominated sites for consideration by the International Jury, which convened on 22 April 2026. The National Green Coast Award Jury met earlier on 12 March 2026 to assess applications and determine this year’s award recipients.
Sligo has been awarded a total of two Blue Flags and four Green Coast Awards for the 2026 season.
Rosses Point and Enniscrone beaches have once again retained their Blue Flag status, an internationally recognised award that signifies excellence in water quality, safety, environmental management, and amenities. Both beaches have also retained their Green Coast Award, highlighting their exceptional environmental quality and community stewardship.
In addition, Dunmoran Strand and Streedagh Beach have successfully retained their Green Coast Awards. The Green Coast Award celebrates beaches with excellent water quality that are also recognised for their natural, unspoilt environments. These beaches are managed in partnership with local communities, reflecting a strong commitment to sustainable environmental practices and coastal protection.
Welcoming the announcement, the Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Councillor Dónal Gilroy, said:
Today’s announcement of two Blue Flags and four Green Coast Awards for Sligo’s beaches is a wonderful recognition of our ongoing efforts to protect and enhance our natural heritage. We are particularly delighted that Rosses Point and Enniscrone have achieved dual Blue Flag and Green Coast status, alongside the continued success of Dunmoran Strand and Streedagh Beach. These awards are a testament to the dedication and hard work of local communities, volunteers, and Sligo County Council staff in maintaining and improving the quality of our beaches.
Sligo County Council acknowledges the continued support and commitment of local community groups throughout the county, whose pride and active involvement in the management of their local beaches play a vital role in achieving and maintaining these prestigious standards.
The Council will continue to work collaboratively with communities and stakeholders to ensure that the highest environmental and safety standards are upheld across all beaches during the 2026 bathing season.
An intensive bathing water monitoring programme will commence shortly for the 2026 season. Water quality at Enniscrone, Mullaghmore, Rosses Point, Streedagh, and Dunmoran beaches will be monitored at least fortnightly throughout the bathing season. Results of this monitoring will be displayed locally at each beach and published on the Council’s website.