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.

A small community project in Cork that encourages people to pick up three pieces of plastic whenever they visit the coast is fast gaining momentum, writes Rebecca Stiffe.

Only one service in Cork met all its punctuality targets last year.

A marine biologist with a passion for scuba diving is going deep with a new venture which aims to unlock the underwater tourism potential of Cork Harbour.

Tommy Barker explores a modern three-bed bungalow with views over a picturesque part of the Cork coast — just 20km from the city

Oh say can you see a supersized home with stunning views? Tommy Barker salutes a classier ‘White House’.

As one offshore classic race draws to a close this week, another major race is drawing a near record fleet together closer to home, while at the same time, the Volvo Ocean Race will be decided this weekend in The Netherlands, writes David Branigan

Rapidly growing satellite town Carrigaline could be divided into two local election areas.

The extraordinary quality of political talent in Cork South Central sees it as one of the most hotly contested constituencies in the country, writes political correspondent Elaine Loughlin.

They were poised to reopen on Saturday, with diners confirmed, staff rostered, and food and stock ordered in.

Beach goers are being urged to be respectful when taking to our country's strands.

CORK CITY’s coat of arms shows a ship sailing between two castles: it could now, as easily, show ships passing between the two Roches Points.

A restored 1800s mill structure and a newly built lodge combine charm with comfort, says Tommy Barker.

Six popular bathing spots have failed to meet minimum EU standards, according to the Environmental Protection Agency’s annual report which is released today.

It’s 25 years since Alan Foley created Cork City Ballet. Today it’s firmly established in the city’s cultural landscape, writes Ciara McDonnell.

This charming seaside home has planning permission to double its size, says Trish Dromey.

The aptly-named Radharc is an architect-designed home with stunning vistas, writes Tommy Barker.

“It is a place we all love coming back to. It has unbelievable memories for us.”

Sorting out Cork people for ages.

Two separate investigations are under way following the death of a man while laying pipes in a trench in a popular Co Cork caravan park.

Update 2.52pm: The man who was injured in an incident in the seaside village of Fountainstown today has died, Gardaí have confirmed.

Here's your evening update.

Elaine Duggan explores the social phenomenon of the Ford crates which have remained part of the country’s landscape.

THERE’S almost a moveable feast on the doorstep of The Cottage, an original style former fisherman’s cottage by the end of the Ferry Road, in coastal Cork’s Fountainstown: here, the tides have been steadily pushing back a sand spit or sandbar, inching it further up the scenic creek just west of the popular south Cork beach.

Denis McSweeney recalls his first day on the job at the Ford plant on the Marina in Cork in 1971. 

A man caused €150,000 fire damage to his ex-employer’s home in Fountainstown, co Cork, because of a grievance and yesterday got a five-year sentence suspended on condition he would remain on medication for his delusions.

“I think I’m going to cry, inspector” — this was just one of the interjections that lightened the weighty proceedings on day seven of An Bord Pleanála’s oral hearing into an application by Indaver Ireland to build an incinerator in Ringaskiddy.

Distracting views are a feature of this quality beach-side home on a mature landscaped site, writes Tommy Barker.

A WALK by the beach at Fountainstown years ago sealed the deal for a young couple — they spotted the house they really, really wanted. 

7am

The sea is off in the distance, visible down the rolling landscape and fields from is this fine family dormer home, at south Cork’s coastal Ballinluska.

Tommy Barker joins an expert woodturner in a bid to discover what could have been if he had not thrown out his rusty old lathe.

A turning tide of market confidence could see a rebuild, or even one, two or three new homes, on the grounds of this seaside older-style bungalow called Chusan, a stone’s skip from the Ferry Road at Fountainstown.

Tommy Barker says this is one of the very few woodland sites where development has been allowed in the greater Cork area.

Tommy Barker says this tastefully finished house really grows on you with each visit.

The setting, the sea, the sunny aspect, the swimming holes beneath the sloping terraced grounds - just some of the features that combine to make Ceann Mhara a very special buy.

As the Irish singer gets ready for the Grammys, Eoin Edwards hears the story of the €1,500 promo film that helped bring him to an audience of millions.

The beach closest to Cork City and a well-known one in East Cork could be closed next summer due to an EU directive on water quality.