Cork County Council is providing specially-designed lifeguard stations on five beaches and a beach wheelchair service at another location.

Far from producing 'slow-motion running' lifeguards more focused on their looks, this academy will produce a steady stream of highly-trained rookie lifeguards equipped with an internationally-recognised qualification.

We think we should struggle in life. But really, all we have to do is let go and ask a higher power for help, writes Louise O’Neill

Its inscribed Brendan and Georgina 26 March 1988.

Three popular beaches have been forced to lower their coveted Blue Flag.

A couple who claimed they were chased in a road rage incident by someone whose driving they had earlier criticised have been praised for their “moral courage”.

A couple who claimed they were chased in a road rage incident by someone whose driving they had earlier criticised have been praised for their “moral courage”, writes Noel Baker.

A group of actors hoping to make Cork the landscape for their upcoming feature film have raised more than €11,000 in financial backing through crowd-funding.

Jo Kerrigan picks her absolute favourite five places in West Cork.

Crookhaven has hosted visitors from another galaxy. Tommy Barker looks at one of its star attractions.

Commuters and tourists still face delays and detours in West Cork as the county council battles to repair serious damage inflicted in the region during last winter’s storms.

The percentage of septic tanks in Cork failing inspections has increased this year, with the worst failure rate in the west of the county.

Cork County Council will be asked to formally endorse an appeal to the Government to provide a commercial rates break to businesses in West Cork which suffered severely in the aftermath of recent storm damage.

West Cork was one of the worst damaged regions in the country during storms over the weekend, and the county council is to seek emergency government funding to deal with washed- away roads and bridges.

The Coast Guard has issued a warning after racing pigeons and a flare triggered a search operation in West Cork at the weekend.

During a weekend of drink-fuelled chaos which rocked a scenic coastal village, a fire extinguisher was thrown into a caravan where two children with special needs were sleeping.

Beaches and marinas across the country are bathing in the warm waters of European approval — 86 of them have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag status.

SOME time ago I asserted that there were nearly as many Mini variants than there were rabbits on the back beach at Barleycove in West Cork.

Swimming bans could be put in place at a number of beaches in Co Cork in the coming days if heavy rainfall sweeps slurry into the sea and raises e.coli bacteria to excessive levels.

We love GoPro cameras!

A ban on swimming in one of Co Cork’s premier beaches has been lifted, much to the relief of local businesses relying heavily on tourism.

Swimming has been banned on one of Cork’s premier beaches as a result of excessive E.coli bacteria levels in the water.

Sq m 196 (2,100 sq ft)

Sq m: 110 (1,200 sq ft)

These are some of the most stunning shots we have ever seen.

Sq m: 900 (1,300 sq ft)

Two popular bathing spots have been closed in West Cork after the discovery of excessive E.coli levels.

BOREENMANNA RD €260,000

Swimmers have been cleared to return to the water at four popular beaches in Cork after quality tests declared them safe.

Sixteen of the country’s best-known bathing spots have lost their coveted blue flag status this year after the introduction of more stringent standards for testing water quality by the EU.

Cork County Council has defended the quality of its coastal bathing water, blaming a more stringent marking criteria and the wettest summer for 50 years on the loss of Blue Flag status on four beaches.

Cork, the country’s largest coastal county, has lost four of its blue flag beaches.

Tree House is a modern two-bed home that retains its rustic appeal. Tommy Barker

Tranquil Cluain Áilinn, complete with pontoon and privacy, will be a stretch for most, writes Tommy Barker

An online petition has been set up in the hope it will force AIB to reverse decisions to close two branches which would leave an entire West Cork peninsula without any banks.

GOLEEN ICA Guild used to be part of Schull ICA, until they realised in 2001 they had enough members to form their own local guild.

THERE’S a touch of the Rip Van Winkles about the re-emergence of a West Cork guesthouse back in the bed-nights business after dozy decades of dereliction and being used to store old silage wrap.

The number of Irish beaches securing coveted Blue Flag status has hit an all-time high.

ONCE shabby huts, these villas at Barleycove in Co Cork are what co-operative housing can be.

AT the apex of the Mizen and Sheep’s Head peninsulas, Durrus village, is well placed for first and second home buyers.

IT WAS the image that flashed around the world — a lifeboat crew fishing bales of cocaine from mountainous seas in a remote west Cork bay.

OWNING a rocky but beautiful chunk of west Cork is possible this month with the private treaty sale of a piece of hungry ground at Balteen near Goleen.

A MAN paddled out to sea on his bodyboard to rescue a father and son from the freezing waters off the Cork coast yesterday.