Blue Flag status for local beaches is welcome news

14 May 2025

THREE local beaches have earned the iconic Blue Flag award.

Murlough, Tyrella and Cranfield are among 16 locations across Northern Ireland to earn one of the world’s most recognised awards for beaches and marinas.

The awards were presented at the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s Beach and Marina Awards last week.

Winning sites met international standards in criteria such as safety, accessibility, cleanliness, environmental education and, for beaches, water quality.

A further six beaches across NI received Seaside Awards, the UK’s mark of quality that ensures visitors are guaranteed to find a clean, safe, attractive and well-managed coastal stretch.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairman Pete Byrne said he was “delighted” that Tyrella, Murlough and Cranfield have retained the world-renowned Blue Flag accreditations.

“The maintenance and development of these sites relies on the consistent hard work and care of countless council teams, community groups and volunteers,” he said.

“I would like to thank and congratulate them all on their contributions toward these awards and encourage our residents to safely and responsibly enjoy our coastline this summer, taking care to follow ‘Leave no Trace’ principles and play an important part in maintaining the high standards for which we are now being awarded,” he added.

Eric Randall, CEO of Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful, said the organisation were “extremely pleased” that 22 beaches and marinas are being recognised with either a blue flag or a Seaside Award.

“Northern Ireland can rightly be proud of the amazing beaches and marinas we have to enjoy. Our offering is world class, and the public can be assured of an excellent experience when they visit one of these sites,” he said.

“As we recognise these areas, we need to take steps to protect them for future generations.”

Mr Randall added: “All parts of government and society must proactively adopt approaches that reverse the devastating impact of the climate emergency and ensure that these areas thrive into the future.”

Award-winning beaches will now have their respective flags in place for this year’s bathing season.

In the event that water quality is not safe for members of the public to swim in the water, blue flags and seaside awards flags are lowered until the water is safe to swim in.

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