Cork makes the biggest splash at beach awards
The tide has come in for Cork’s amazing beaches which have left the competition stranded at today’s 2025 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards announcement.
With today’s awards, presented by An Taisce, Cork beaches now officially have the highest combined number of award flags in the country with 27.
At today’s ceremony, held in the Ravenport Resort in Wexford, Cork beaches received 14 Green Coast awards, more than any other county this year.
As well as that, Cork beaches Fountainstown Beach and Inchydoney Beach East, were two of just ten Irish beaches to earn both a Blue Flag and Green Coast status.
The 13 Cork beaches and marinas awarded the Blue Flag status for this season are: Barley Cove; Garretstown; Inchydoney Beach East; Inchydoney Beach West; Owenahincha, Little Island Strand; Youghal Front Strand; Fountainstown; Garrylucas, White Strand; Redbarn Beach; Tragumna; Youghal, Claycastle; Kinsale Yacht Club; and The Royal Cork Yacht Club.
Originating in France in 1985, the Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards. 2025 is the 38th year that beaches and marinas have been awarded Blue Flags in Ireland, with 99 beaches and marinas being awarded for the 2025 season.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
An important aspect of the Green Coast Awards is the involvement of voluntary Clean Coasts groups, who participate in community clean-ups and help manage the applicant beaches in cooperation with Local Authorities.
The 14 Cork beaches to receive a Green Coast status for 2025 are: Ring; Ardnahinch, Shanagarry; Ballynamona Beach; Oysterhaven; Fountainstown Beach; Rocky Bay; Inchydoney Beach East; Red Strand; Silver Strand Beach, Sherkin Island; Cadogan's Strand; Ballyrisode; Galley Cove; Dooneen Pier; and Garnish Beach, Lehanmore.
In total, 169 awards were presented nationally today, an increase of five on last year’s number.
Announcing the award flags was Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage James Browne TD.
“We’ve come a long way since the beginning of Ireland’s Blue Flag awards in 1988, when 19 beaches and 2 marinas were recognised,” said Mr Browne.
He continued: “This didn’t happen by magic. Great credit must go to local authorities, An Taisce, coastal communities, and particularly all those local volunteers who have worked tirelessly around the country to keep so many of our coastal areas, beaches, and marinas in pristine condition for us all to enjoy.”
Cathy Baxter, Director of Education and Community Action at An Taisce, added: “There are an unprecedented number of sites receiving awards this year. We would like to congratulate all the Local Authorities, marina operators and Clean Coasts groups responsible for managing the awarded beaches and marinas to the excellent standards required.”