Fourteen Blue Flags have been awarded to Kerry.
An Taisce has announced 93 Blue Flag beaches and 63 Green coast awards around Ireland, which recognise environmental management, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
Kerry and Donegal both received the most Blue Flags, having been awarded 14 each.
The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised eco-labels and it highlights compliance relating to water quality, facilities for visitors, beach management, environmental education and the provision of information.
Twelve Kerry beaches have been awarded Blue Flags; they are Rossbeigh, Ballybunion South, Ballyheigue, Fenit, Maherabeg, Kells, Derrynane, White Strand, Ballinskelligs, Banna, Ventry and Inch.
Fenit Marina also retains its Blue Flag this year, while the Portmagee Seasonal Pontoons, run by Kilrush Maritime Ltd, is also a Blue Flag recipient.
Cathaoirleach of Kerry County Council, councillor Patrick O’Connor Scarteen says this is a wonderful vote of confidence in the collaborative approach between Kerry County Council, local community groups and beach users who work together to maintain our beaches and bathing waters.
Director of Services with Kerry County Council, John Breen says it’s really positive news for the local economy and our tourism industry at this very challenging time.
Meanwhile, Green Coast Awards have been issued for Waterville, Ballinskelligs, Béal Bán, Castlegregory and Littor beaches.
The aim of the Green Coast Award is to recognise beaches of high environmental quality.
Lat year, the Ladies beach in Ballybunion lost its Blue Flag due to a drop in water quality; it dropped slightly to good status based on the analysis of in-season water quality samples.
Works are still underway to establish the cause of the drop in water quality there.