It's been confirmed that Tramore Beach has lost its International Blue Flag status - as An Taisce have announced the International Blue Flag and Green Coast Award recipients for 2024.

The news was delivered yesterday afternoon (Monday), with Tramore just one of three beaches nationally which did not retain its Blue Flag for 2024.

The flag is an environmental award made to beaches and marinas throughout the world that demonstrate good environmental standards and have good sanitary and safety facilities.

In a statement, Waterford City and County Council said the loss of the flag for Tramore is as a result of a single poor water quality result from August 2020, when in the aftermath of Storm Ellen on August 18th, exceptionally heavy rain and strong winds gave rise to excessive levels of bacteria in the bathing waters.

They said that as bathing water quality is assessed on test results over a four-year period, this single poor result has had the effect of bringing the overall average for the period from ‘Excellent’ to ‘Good’ quality status.

They continued that every single water sample taken in Tramore since Storm Ellen in August 2020 to date has demonstrated exceptionally good quality bathing water and well within the criteria for ‘Excellent’ status.

While disappointed at the outcome, the council added they would be confident the Blue Flag would be restored for next season.

This morning (Tuesday) on 'Deise Today', Damien had a chat with Michael Garland about the news.

Michael is Operations Manager at Tramore Amusement and Leisure Park which is, of course, located just across the road from the beach.

You can listen back to their chat by clicking on the image above...