Seven West Cork beaches have been awarded a Blue Flag for 2026.
The awards were presented by An Taisce at a ceremony hosted by Cork County Council in Mall House, Youghal on Friday May 15th.
The awarded beaches include Barley Cove, Garrettstown, Garrylucas White Strand, Inchidoheny East and West Beach, Owenahinca Little Island Strand and Tragumna.
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Kinsale Yacht Club also received a Blue Flag.
Beaches and marinas that have been awarded a Blue Flag in Ireland must adhere to specific criteria in the areas of water quality, waste management, biodiversity protection, education, information, safety, and accessibility, helping participating destinations and tourism service providers lead the way in sustainable coastal management.
Fountainstown did not receive a Blue Flag for 2026 despite receiving one in 2025.
Having failed to achieve an ‘Excellent’ classification over the latest evaluation period, 2022 to 2025, the beach did not meet the water quality standard required to be awarded a Blue Flag for the coming bathing season.
It instead attained a water quality classification of Good, the second highest classification possible under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008.
Green Coast awardees were also announced at the ceremony. West Cork winners include Red Strand, Ballyrisode, Cadogan's Strand, Dooneen Pier, Galley Cove, Garnish Beach, Inchydoney East, Oysterhaven, Ring Rockey Bay and Silver Strand on Sherkin Island.
The Green Coast Award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. Green Coast Award sites are exceptional places to visit and enjoy our rich coastal heritage and diversity.
Inchydoheny Beach East received both a Green Coast and a Blue Flag award, the only strand in Cork to do so, and one of just 12 beaches in the country to get dual awards.
Cork county received the most Green Coast Awards in 2026, with a total of 14 beaches being awarded.
Cork has also the highest combined number of award flags with an overall total of 27.
Speaking on the awards, Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O’Sullivan, TD, said: ‘The Blue Flag is one of the world’s most recognised environmental awards and I’m proud to see so many Irish beaches and marinas receive this status today. Those who receive this award have demonstrated high standards around water quality, biodiversity protection and have shown strong collaboration with local tourism service providers to lead the way in sustainable coastal management.’
Overall, 85 beaches around Ireland have been awarded a Blue Flag for the 2026 bathing season, which runs from June 1st to September 15th.
Additionally, nine marinas have been awarded for up to 12 months from June 1st, 2026, based on their season of operation and compliance with the award criteria, and one tourism boat has received a Blue Flag Award for the first time in Blue Flag history in Ireland.
