A number of high-profile beaches on the east coast have lost their Blue Flag status for cleanliness.
Announcing the Blue Flag awards for 2003, An Taisce said water quality at two beaches in Brittas Bay in Wicklow and at one beach at Portrane in Dublin had failed to comply with minimum EU standards.
However, the environmental group, which administers the awards on behalf of the EU, said bathing water quality at the majority of the State's beaches remains among the best in Europe.
Seventy-three beaches and six marinas were awarded the Blue Flag from a total of 84 beach and six marina applications. The overall number of flags awarded was the same as 2002.
The awards, which were presented by the Minister for Environment, Mr Martin Cullen, again saw the west coast faring better than the more populous east coast - where just one Dublin beach, Seapoint, made the grade.
Mr Cullen said: "While these are impressive results, they are slightly down on previous years' ongoing improvements in bathing water quality and highlight the need for constant vigilance to maintain the high standards of our waters."
In total, four beaches lost their Blue Flag status.
An Taisce said no application was received for the beach at Portrane but in any case it was not in compliance with the guideline on Faecal Streptococci.
In Wicklow Brittas Bay North Beach and South Beach lost their Blue Flags through non-compliance with water quality criteria.
Enniscrone Beach in Sligo also lost its Blue Flag for failing to comply with water quality criteria.
Unsuccessful applicants for Blue Flags on the east coast included Dublin's Killiney Beach, Waterford's Ardmore, Dumore East Main Strand and Tramore.
An Taisce said it received eight applications from Galway County Council, of which two were unsuccessful, Trá Inis Oirr, Aran Islands and Trá an bhForbacha Furbo.
In Northern Ireland three key resort beaches were stripped of their Blue Flag status.
The Tidy Northern Ireland group announced that Portrush East Strand and Portstewart Strand on the north coast and Millisle Lagoon on the Co Down coast were no longer judged clean enough to hold the world's premier award.
However there was good news for Ballycastle, Co Antrim, where the beach was considered improved enough to regain the flag it last held in 2000.
Portstewart West Strand, Benone Strand, Cranfield West and Tyrella Beach make up Northern Ireland's five best Blue Flag Beaches for 2003.
