The Green Coast Award is a new national beach award given to beaches which have high bathing water quality standards, a natural and unspoiled environment and a sound environmental management.
They can or can not have built infrastructure.
The Green Coast Award Beaches are:
Carrowniskey, located 15 km south of Louisburgh
Cross-Erris Peninsula, located on the west coast of the Mullet Peninsula with view of Inis Glora island
Termon, near Aghleam village on the east coast of the Blacksod Mullet Peninsula
Srah, located 5 km south of Bunnahowen village, between Erris and Belmullet
Portacloy, located in Portacloy Bay
Silver strand, located 30 km from Louisburgh town on the L1830.
Most of them are candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC) or form part of Special Protection Area (SPA) or are proposed National Heritage Area (pNHA), but all are areas of high ecological value.