Blue Flag Beaches

The Blue Flag Programme is now one of the most widely known, most recognised and valued ecolabels throughout Europe and beyond. It is awarded to beaches and marinas with excellent environmental management.

The International Jury awarded the Blue Flag to 78 Blue Flags for beaches and 2 for Marinas to Ireland in 2008.

Wicklow County Council secured 2 blue flags in 2008 for our beaches at Brittas Bay South and Brittas Bay North. Regrettably, the reduction in overall bathing water quality in Greystones in 2007 resulted in the loss of the Blue Flag status in 2008.

Wicklow County Council are hopeful that Greystones will be able to regain its Blue Flag status for 2009 and that the bathing water will be able to comply with new National and EU water quality standard currently being phased in.

Blue Flag Criteria

The Blue Flag emblem guarantees visitors a very high environmental quality, not just in terms of bathing water quality but also in terms of the range of facilities offered such as litter and recycling bins, disabled access, toilet facilities, dog control, car-parking and educational projects. The Council assists community group with Beach Management plans for their local areas and works with local schools on awareness-raising projects. The Blue Flag programme is organised by the Foundation for Environmental Education in Europe( FEEE) and co-ordinated by An Taisce.

Brittas Bay North and South Beaches

Brittas Bay is a long sheltered beach. The area is designated as a special area of conservation. This area is of ecological importance and many habitats of interest include sand dunes and grassland areas and the nearby Buckroney Fen. The landscape is dominated by the huge sand dunes, which approximately cover 100 hectares.

Brittas Bay is the most popular beach in Wicklow. It has a 5km stretch of beautiful white sand dunes and clean beaches and has won and maintained the Blue Flag for many years now. It is ideal for bathing, sailing and walking. Brittas has a 3.2km stretch of powdery sand and sand dune system, which is a home to many interesting wildlife species and plants

Lifeguards are on duty from the 1st June- 31st of August each year from 11am to 7pm. There is a car park at the main entrance to each of the beaches with toilet facilities. Dogs are allowed on the beaches but must be on a lead and under strict supervision of the owners. Owners must clean up after their dogs.

Treasure Hunts

Brittas Bay

Treasure Hunt Questions - 334kb
Treasure Hunt Answers - 271kb

Greystones

Treasure Hunt Questions - 314kb
Treasure Hunt Answers - 269kb