Donegal Blue Flag Beaches
With over 1,000km of coastline you are never far from finding spectacular beaches in Donegal!
It is a true testament to the county that 14 of its beaches and marinas were recently awarded blue flags. This award recognises the beaches and marinas as having excellent water quality and also meeting other criteria such as safety standards.
The 12 beaches that achieved Blue Flag status in 2021 are:
Bundoran
This sandy beach is located approximately 250m north of Bundoran town’s main street. It faces Donegal Bay and the Atlantic bounded on the North and South by rocks and on the east by the promenade roadway.
Rossnowlagh
Rossnowlagh (Ros Neamhlach) is located on the south coast of Donegal, approximately 6 km from Ballintra and Ballyshannon. It has soft, golden sand and exceptional views and is very popular with both local residents and tourists.
Murvagh
Murvagh (Murbhach) is located close to the village of Laghey on the south western coast of Donegal. It is a long shallow beach, behind which are sand dunes, designated a Special Area of Conservation (SAC), and beyond them lies the lovely Murvagh Forest, which has trails.
Fintra
The wide, rural beach of Fintra Bay is set amongst stunning scenery a short drive from the fishing port of Killybegs on County Donegal’s south-west coast. It is approached by a steep road down to it which offers fabulous vistas of both the beach and Donegal Bay as far as Benbulben mountain in County Sligo.
Nairn
Narin is a sheltered cove beach approximately 2km long. Approximately 2km from Portnoo, 8km from Ardara or 10km from Glenties this impressive Blue Flag beach has safe waters for bathing and is attended by a lifeguard during the summer months.
Carrickfinn
Carrickfinn Beach is an extensive sandy beach with sand dunes and is located close to the beautiful Annagry village, a Gaeltacht area where the visitor can engage in the culture and heritage of this unique region where Irish is still the main everyday language. It is also home to the world’s most scenic airport approach, Donegal Airport.
Killahoey
Killahoey Blue Flag Beach (Trá na Cille) is located close to the town of Dunfanaghy. Killahoey consists of a sandy beach with a large inflowing estuary including a large mud flat at the east of the beach. The catchment area is an idyllic location for bird watching.
Marble Hill
Marble Hill Blue Flag Beach (Cnoc an Mharmair) is located close to the village of Portnablagh. It is located in Sheephaven Bay. Marble Hill beach consists of a sandy beach with two rock outcrops at the east of the beach.
Downings
Located in the heart of a vibrant seaside town in the Gaeltacht area of the Rosguill Peninsula, this beach is a hive of activity during the summer months. The town of na Dúnaibh/Downings is a fantastic place to spend some time with great restaurants, bars and of course the beach!
Portsalon (Ballymastocker)
A very extensive sandy beach located on the western side of Lough Swilly between Rathmullan and Fanad Head and has fabulous views towards the Inishowen Peninsula. The best views can be best seen from the viewpoint on the Knockalla coast drive. It was recently named as one of the top 10 beaches in Ireland in 2021.
Culdaff
The stunning Culdaff Beach is located on the Inishowen peninsula and consists of a sandy beach with two rock outcrops at the south-east of the beach. This coastal area is protected and designated a Special area for Conservation (SAC) divided into distinct zones by the rocky headlands of Black Rock, Buckers Rock and Ladys Rock.
Stroove
The lovely Stroove Beach is located on the east coast of the Inishowen peninsula a few miles north of the village of Greencastle. It is a relatively small beach and is located close to the North Inishowen Natural Heritage Area. It is also adjacent to two Lighthouses.
The marinas in Greencastle and Rathmullan also have Blue Flags.
All Blue Flag beaches have swimming areas that are monitored by lifeguards during the summer months.