Cork beaches receive Blue Flag recognition but Fountainstown loses out

A total of 85 beaches, nine marinas, and one tourism boat have been recognised with Blue Flags, but one of Cork’s best-known beaches, Fountainstown, has lost its accolade.

An Taisce announced the International Blue Flag and National Green Coast Award recipients for 2026 at a ceremony hosted by Cork County Council in Mall House in Youghal last Friday.

The programme, now in its 39th year in Ireland, aims to promote environmental management standards for beaches, marinas, and eco-tourism boats worldwide.

This year also marked the first time a tourism boat in Ireland received a Blue Flag award. The Skellig Bounty, operated by Aqua Terra Boat Tours on Valentia Island, received the accolade. County Kerry received the highest number of Blue Flags in 2026, with 16 awards.

However, Fountainstown beach was one of six not to retain the designation for 2026. The other five were: Lahinch, Portsalon, Ardmore, Counsellors’ Strand, and Ballymoney North.

“Having failed to achieve an ‘Excellent’ classification over the latest evaluation period, 2022 to 2025, none of these beaches met the water quality standard required to be awarded a Blue Flag for the coming bathing season,” a spokesperson said.

“All of these beaches attained a water quality classification of good, the second highest classification possible under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008.”

Meanwhile, 73 Green Coast Awards were presented for the 2026 bathing season.

The Green Coast Awards recognise beaches with clean environments, excellent water quality, and natural beauty. The awards also highlight the work of voluntary Clean Coasts groups involved in community clean-ups and beach management alongside local authorities.

County Cork received the highest number of Green Coast Awards in 2026, with 13 beaches recognised.

Cork also recorded the highest combined number of award flags overall, with 25 accolades, including Blue Flags awarded to Kinsale Yacht Club and Royal Cork Yacht Club.

County Wexford and County Waterford received the second-highest number of Green Coast Awards, with 10 beaches each recognised.

Nature and biodiversity minister, Cork TD Christopher O’Sullivan, praised the work of communities involved in maintaining coastal areas.

“These awards are testament to the hard work of local authorities and local communities around the country to keep our coastal areas clean,” he 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.”