Cork’s vibrant nights earn Purple Flag

Cork city has lit up the night with Purple Flag accreditation, the international award recognising excellence in evening and night-time economies. It’s the city’s latest achievement in creating a safe, lively, and enjoyable environment for residents and visitors after dark.

The Purple Flag – similar to the Blue Flag for beaches – celebrates towns and cities that make evenings and nights safe, vibrant, and welcoming. Cork’s success comes after a raft of new initiatives designed to boost the city’s night-time offering.

Key highlights included the expansion of the Leave the Light On campaign and the launch of Coffee House Lates, both part of Cork City Council’s Night Time Economy Strategy.

The Leave the Light On campaign, a partnership with the Cork Business Association, ran from mid-October 2024 to mid-January 2025. It encouraged city centre businesses to keep their lights on until midnight or 1am, making the streets feel safer during the winter months. The campaign will run again this year.

Meanwhile, Coffee House Lates has given Cork’s coffee shops a new role. By staying open later, they’ve hosted coffee tastings, live music, comedy, art, dancing, festive shopping, and even knitting. The initiative caters to the growing demand for alcohol-free evening activities, offering something for everyone.

Fiona Collins, Cork’s Night Time Economy (NTE) Advisor, said: “The Purple Flag accreditation is another indicator in the city’s journey to becoming a truly 24-hour destination. With the night-time strategy, Cork has extended its mix of culture, safety, and innovation – from family-friendly early evenings to creative late-night events like rooftop concerts. Businesses and partners like Cork City Council, An Garda Síochána, Cork Chamber, and the Cork Business Association continue to work hard to ensure it remains a city comparable with the best across Europe and the world.”

The award follows Cork City Council Chief Executive Valerie O’Sullivan’s report to councillors in September, outlining plans for a dedicated City Centre Development and Operations Directorate. Described as “a start-up business within the council,” it is built around three pillars: revitalisation, regeneration, and accessibility. The goal is to enhance Cork as a socially, culturally, and economically vibrant second city.

Cork first earned Purple Flag status in 2015. Today, 90 towns and cities worldwide hold the accreditation.

Maintaining it requires ongoing collaboration and creativity, a standard Cork continues to meet.

Cork has shown that its nights are just as lively, safe, and innovative as its days – making the city shine long after the sun goes down.

This article was produced with the support of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme funded by Coimisiún na Meán.