Cork Leads the Way at Ireland's 2026 Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards

Cork has claimed more coastal accolades than any other county in Ireland at this year's Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards, announced at a ceremony hosted by Cork County Council at Mall House, Youghal, on Friday 15 May 2026.

The county received 13 Green Coast Awards and 12 Blue Flag awards, giving Cork a combined total of 25, the highest of any county in the country. The Green Coast tally also makes Cork the leading county for that award nationally in 2026.

Across Ireland, a total of 168 awards were presented, just one fewer than last year's record-breaking total. The awards covered 146 beaches, nine marinas and one tourism boat, with 95 Blue Flags and 73 Green Coast Awards distributed nationally.

Tracey Lydon, Head of Operational Projects, Education & Community Action at An Taisce, said:

"We are pleased to be welcomed to East Cork, to recognise the beaches, marinas and tourism boat awarded the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards for the 2026 season. The local authorities, Clean Coasts groups, marina operators, and tourism boat operator responsible for their management have committed considerable effort to ensure that these sites and boat meet the high standards required by The Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards. I would like to extend my congratulations to all the award recipients on their achievements and to express my gratitude on behalf of An Taisce to Cork County Council for hosting us here in Youghal, the home of two Blue Flag beaches on this occasion."

Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity Christopher O'Sullivan, TD, said:

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

A historic milestone was reached this year with the Skellig Bounty, operated by Aqua Terra Boat Tours on Valentia Island in County Kerry, becoming the first tourism boat in Ireland to receive a Blue Flag award. Kerry also claimed the most Blue Flags of any county in 2026, with 16 awards in total.

Twelve beaches achieved dual award status this year, receiving both a Blue Flag and a Green Coast Award. Among the dual recipients is Inchydoney Beach East in Cork, along with Bunmahon, Tramore and Clonea in Waterford. Waterford also had the most first-time Green Coast Award beaches in 2026, with four sites receiving the award for the first time: Bunmahon, Clonea, Tramore and Whiting Bay.

Two beaches made notable returns to the Blue Flag programme this year. Duncannon Beach in County Wexford received the award for the first time since 2007, while Bunmahon Beach in County Waterford last held the accolade in 2012. Both returns were driven by significant improvements in bathing water quality over the 2022 to 2025 assessment period.

Six beaches that held the Blue Flag in 2025 were not awarded this year, including Fountainstown in County Cork, after failing to achieve the required "Excellent" water quality classification over the most recent evaluation period. All six retained a "Good" classification, the second highest possible under the Bathing Water Quality Regulations 2008.

The Blue Flag programme is operated in Ireland by An Taisce on behalf of the Foundation for Environmental Education, with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Full details of all awarded beaches and marinas are available at beachawards.ie.