Cobh Selected to Represent Ireland in Prestigious European Entente Florale Competition

 

Cobh is to represent Ireland at one of Europe’s most prestigious community and environmental competitions.

The Cork harbour town has been selected to compete in the Large Town category of the 2027 Entente Florale Europe competition, which celebrates excellence in community-led environmental initiatives, sustainable development, and quality of life.

Established in 1975, Entente Florale Europe is a European competition involving towns and villages from Czechia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary and Ireland. Often compared to the TidyTowns competition, Entente Florale places a strong emphasis on partnership between local authorities and communities in delivering lasting improvements to their towns and villages.

Cobh's nomination, by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, reflects the town's impressive track record in the Tidy Towns competition. The town earned its first Gold Medal in 2015 and has retained Gold status every year since. In 2021, it was named Ireland's Tidiest Large Town and, most recently, secured the South Cork County Award in 2025, finishing just four points behind the national overall winner.

The 2027 Entente Florale Europe competition will see Cobh showcase not only its environmental achievements but also the strong collaboration between local organisations, volunteers, businesses and Cork County Council that has helped drive the town's development in recent years.

Welcoming the news, Municipal District Chair for Cobh, Cllr. Cathal Rasmussen, said the nomination is a fitting recognition of the town’s continued commitment to civic pride and community development.

Being selected to represent Ireland in Entente Florale Europe is a tremendous honour for Cobh and recognition of the hard work undertaken across the town over many years. Cork County Council is looking forward to working with Cobh TidyTowns, local businesses, community organisations and residents as preparations begin for the 2027 competition and as we showcase the very best of Cobh on the European stage.

Preparations for the competition will begin in the coming months, with Cork County Council, Cobh TidyTowns and community stakeholders working together to build on the town's strong foundations ahead of the 2027 adjudication.

Judging will take place during the summer of 2027 when an international jury will visit Cobh to assess a range of criteria, including environmental management, community involvement, sustainability initiatives and the overall quality of life within the town. The results will be announced at an international awards ceremony later that year.