Cork has quietly become a haven for beach lovers.

Now we can expect even more holidaymakers and house hunters seeking out our pristine waters and powdery sands; Cork has swept the board at the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards 2023.

A total of 159 awards, an increase of two awards compared to 2022, were presented by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Mr. Darragh O’Brien, TD, at an awards ceremony held in Dublin.

The county with the most awarded sites is Cork with 27: 10 Blue Flag beaches, two Blue Flag marinas (Kinsale Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club), and 15 Green Coast Awarded sites.

Blue Flag Beaches awarded for 2023 are:

• Barley Cove
• Fountainstown
• Garrylucas, White Strand
• Inchydoney, East Beach
• Inchydoney, West Beach
• Owenahincha, Little Island Strand
• Redbarn
• Tragumna
• Youghal, Claycastle
• Youghal, Front Strand

During its 36 years, the Blue Flag has become an internationally recognised symbol of high standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety.

The Green Coast Awards recognise the involvement of Clean Coasts groups, volunteers who participate in community clean-ups and help manage their local beaches throughout the year.

Cork’s Green Coast Awarded beaches include Red Strand, Ring, Oysterhaven, Fountainstown Beach, Rocky Bay, and Galley Cove, to name just a few.