Hot summer days are here and a pontoon walkway at West Cork’s famous beaches will be open to the public from tomorrow.

Contractors have been carrying out work at the floating walkway, which will be open from Thursday 'once the final tweaking is completed,’ said Cllr Caroline Cronin (FG).

‘A huge thank you to Cork County Council for providing a safe route to our beautiful Barleycove Beach for the summer season. One of West Cork's most stunning spots,' said Cllr Cronin.

In November the popular beach was awarded €452,000 for access upgrades under the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme. The funding will be used to replace the pontoon and walkway delivering safer, more resilient access to the beach.

Cllr Cronin added she hoped the new structure would be in place next year.

The beach was only recently awarded a Blue Flag award. The annual An Taisce award goes to beaches showing good environmental standards, and good sanitary and safety facilities.

A Cork County Council sample taken on Monday (May 25th) showed the water quality at Barleycove is excellent.