The Blue Flag status was awarded to 10 Blue Flag Beaches in the South East of Ireland in 2017. Ireland has some stunningly beautiful beaches along its 5,000 km of coastline. These include a large number of beaches and marinas awarded Blue Flag status for their cleanliness, water quality, safety and level of environmental protection.

Kerry has the highest number of beaches and marinas with blue flags in Ireland, with 13 beaches and one marina having been awarded with blue flags at the 2017 edition of the annual Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards.

The Blue Flag requires applicants to achieve an annual classification of 'Excellent', the highest rating achievable under current bathing water legislation.

The programme aims to raise environmental awareness and promote sound environmental management of beaches, marinas and inland bathing waters around the world.

THREE IRISH BEACHES have lost their Blue Flag status for superior swimming water. Killiney in South Dublin, Balcarrick in Donabate in Fingal and Lisfannon in Donegal were all dropped from the list.

Here at Kollect, we decided to compile our Top 5 Blue Flag Beaches in the South East. With beaches like these on our doorstop here in the South East, why would we live anywhere else?

Top 5 Blue Flag Beaches in the South East:

Tramore Beach, Co. Waterford

Meaning 'Big Strand', Tramore, with its famous 5km golden, sandy beach is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and one of the region's most popular resorts. The long, rolling waves in Tramore attract swimmers and of course, surfers. Surf lessons and equipment are available locally. Sailing lessons and sea kayaking are also available.

Courtown Harbour, Co. Wexford

A family friendly seaside resort in Co. Wexford. Courtown has been a holiday destination for over a hundred years. With many places to stay from bed and breakfasts to self catering houses and apartments Courtown will be capable to suit your needs.

Ballinesker Beach, Co. Wexford

Ballinesker is very popular for bird-watching as it is part of the nature protection area of the Wexford Slobs and Harbour. There is also a plentiful supply of sea-shells on the fine sandy beach, for example common mussel, horse mussel, razor-shells, trough shells and native oyster. The film 'Saving Private Ryan' was filmed on Ballinesker and Curracloe beaches in 1997.

Morriscastle Beach, Co. Wexford

Known as 'The Golden Mile', this is a beautiful sheltered beach which is great for children and also has lovely sand dunes.

Clonea Beach, Co. Waterford

Clonea Strand is located approximately 5km outside Dungarvan in County Waterford. It is a long and wide sandy beach with fantastic views and scenic walks.

The Sunny South East as it is known for reputedly having the most sunny days in Ireland. Ireland is blessed with some of the best beaches in the world, and the Sunny South East is lucky enough to get the weather to go with them! Well, some of the time...

For a full list of all the Blue Flag Beaches in Ireland, please see here.