Cork City Retains Purple Flag Status for 11th Consecutive Year

Cork City has been awarded Purple Flag accreditation for the eleventh year running, recognising its efforts to maintain a safe, vibrant evening and night time economy.

The Purple Flag highlights Cork's blend of entertainment, dining and culture, all while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of residents and visitors between 5pm and 5am. Cork City first received the accreditation in 2015.

Among the initiatives highlighted in this year's submission was the Safe and Sound programme, which offers accessible training and support to night time economy workers and has since been adopted by other regions nationally. The Éanna and Magic of the Night initiative, which engages young people and families in the night time economy, was also noted positively, along with the monthly First Fridays events and Coffee House Lates, both credited with helping bridge the transition from day to night in the city.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Damian Boylan, said:

"This is a great achievement for the city centre. It gives recognition for the collaborative work between businesses and key stakeholders, such as the Gardaí, Cork City Council, Cork Chamber and Cork Business Association, to be constantly improving the night time experience in Cork city. I would like to thank all the businesses and venues who accommodated the assessors on the night of their visit and showed them just how vibrant the city is."

Fiona Collins, Night Time Economy Advisor for Cork City Council, added:

"Retaining the Purple Flag status is a testament to the strong partnerships that exist across Cork City's night-time economy. This accreditation recognises the ongoing commitment of businesses, cultural organisations, community groups and public bodies to creating a city that is vibrant, inclusive and safe for everyone. We are particularly proud to see innovative initiatives such as Safe and Sound, Éanna and the Magic of the Night, First Fridays and Coffee House Lates continuing to enhance the evening experience and showcase Cork as a leading destination for culture, hospitality and nightlife."

Purple Flag is an international accreditation, comparable to the Green Flag Award for parks or the Blue Flag for beaches, recognising town and city centres that meet high standards in managing their evening and night time economy. There are 100 Purple Flag destinations worldwide, spanning Ireland, the UK, Sweden, Malta, New Zealand and Australia. The programme, now sixteen years old, is managed by the Association of Town & City Management and grew out of the Civic Trust's 2006 "Night Vision" report.