Cork County Council has a number of beaches that are popular with both local communities and tourists alike. A large number of activities are carried out on these beaches including swimming, boating, fishing, surfing, wind surfing and other water sport activities.The Council's responsibilities normally extends to beach cleaning, provision of public toilets, litter control, provision of car parking, beach access including disabled access and provision of tourist and environmental information. The Council also provides a Lifeguard on the more popular beaches for the summer months. The Council concentrates it's efforts on the various Blue Flag beaches in it's area with other beaches being maintained to a lower standard.
Ten County Cork beaches were awarded the Blue Flag in 2010. Click to learn more about the Blue Flag System and Blue Flag beaches in County Cork
Barley Cove Beach, Mizen Peninsula
High Quality Beaches
In addition to the Blue Flag beaches, there are a number of other popular high quality beaches in the West and South Cork Divisions and the most significant of these are:
- Redbarn, Youghal
- Pilmore, Youghal
- Ballycrenane, Shanagarry
- Ardnahinch, Shanagarry
- Ballynamona, Shanagarry
- Fountainstown, Crosshaven
- Coolmain, Kilbrittan
- Harbour View, Kilbrittan
- Courtmacsherry
- Broad Strand
- Dunworley
- Red Strand
- Ownahincha
- Ballydonegan
All these beaches are cleaned by the County Council through the relevant Area Engineer's office during the summer months.
Other popular beaches in County Cork include Roberts Cove, Myrtleville, Garretstown, Ballyrisode and Silver Strand on Sherkin Island, Fountainstown near Crosshaven and Duneen in West Cork.
