Tramore loses Blue Flag
Tramore beach has lost its Blue Flag status.
Our beloved Tramore Beach has lost its international Blue Flag status, causing disappointment across Waterford ahead of the crucial tourist season ahead.
According to the 2024 report by An Taisce, 82 of the 85 recognised 2023 Blue Flag beaches retained their flag, the three exclusions being Tramore in Waterford, Rush South Beach in Fingal and Ballymoney North Beach in Wexford.
Tramore Beach did not comply with the Blue Flag limit value for the microbiological parameter Intestinal Enterococci (bacteria that lives in the intestinal areas of warm-blooded animals, including humans).
The report said: "The Blue Flag Programme requires that beaches being awarded for the upcoming season have achieved Excellent bathing water quality in the most recent annual classification.
"Each of the sites received a classification of “Good”, the second highest classification available based on analysis of bathing water samples over the past four bathing seasons."
Ardmore Beach and Clonea Beach have retained their Blue Flags. For the Green Coast Awards, Guillamene Cove; Newtown Cove, Tramore; Kilfarrassey; Annestown; Ballyquin; Curragh and Goat Island Beach were all recognised for their quality.
Minister Hildegard Naughton said at the Blue Flag awards ceremony: “We are breaking the record with some 70 beaches receiving the Green Coast Award. Congratulations to everyone involved and I want to wish a very happy and safe bathing and swimming season to everyone for 2024.”
Tramore Cllr Cristíona Kiely, however, reflected the disappointment felt in Waterford when she responded in a social media post: "I'm furious that Tramore has lost its Blue Flag status today. Everyone needs to take our water quality seriously."
