A number of Clare’s top beaches have been stripped of their highly coveted Blue flags status.
Lahinch and White Strand in Miltown Malbay have lost out due to new rules that bathing spots have to comply with even greater standards than before to retain their blue flag.
The increased regulation has also hit several other high profile beaches across Ireland including Portmarnock in Dublin and Ballybunnion in Kerry however six other Clare bathing areas have retained their Blue Flag awards.
Flags for Fanore, Kilkee, Cappa beach in Kilrush, Ballycuggeran, Mountshannon and White Strand, Doonbeg will be presented this afternoon.
Overall there’s been a 20 percent drop in the the number of bathing areas nationwide set to receive the coveted award and Clare County Council has expressed frustration at the new criteria claiming their unfair.
Mayor of Clare Councillor Pat Daly is calling on the Environment Minister to over-turn the decision.
