Cork retains 'Purple Flag' status for nightlife options

Cork city has secured Purple Flag accreditation for the tenth year running, in recognition of maintaining standards of excellence in the evening and night time economy.

Similar to the Blue Flag accreditation for beaches, the Purple Flag aims to raise standards and broaden the appeal of town and city centres between 5pm and 5am.

The Purple Flag recognises towns and cities that provide night time environments that are safe, vibrant, diverse and enjoyable for residents and visitors.

The Leave The Light On campaign and the introduction of the Coffee House Lates scheme both were key successes in Cork getting Purple Flag accreditation and were part of Cork City Council’s ongoing Night Time Economy Strategy.

A partnership between the city council and the Cork Business Association, the Leave The Light On campaign ran from mid-October 2024 to mid-January 2025. This encouraged city centre businesses to leave their lights on until midnight or 1am during the winter to help contribute to a safer night time environment.

The Coffee House Lates scheme, which was launched last November to facilitate the growing demand for alcohol-free evening activities in the city, encouraged independent coffee shops to extend their trading hours and host events such as coffee tastings, live music, comedy, art and dancing.

The continuation of the Cork city Night Time Economy (NTE) advisor role until September 2026, along with other projects such as hosting a concert on the roof of a public car park, further reflected the city’s commitment to creative ideas and vibrant nightlife.

Cork City Council night time economy advisor Fiona Collins said there is a strong desire to consistently improve the city’s evening and night-time offering.

“The Purple Flag accreditation is another indicator in the city’s journey to becoming a truly 24-hour destination. It allows us to set a standard with other night time cities.

“The businesses together with key stakeholders such as Cork City Council, An Garda Síochána, Cork Chamber and Cork Business Association continue to work hard to ensure that it remains a city comparable with the best across Europe and the world.”