Six Irish beaches have failed to pass the minimum safety standard

Do you go swimming here?

A report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on bathing water quality in Ireland has established that six beaches have poor water conditions. 130 were found to have excellent water but six failed to pass the minimum required standard. They include three along the Dublin coast at Merrion Strand, Loughshinny, and Portrane (Brook Beach) and three in Galway at Clifden, Tra na Forbacha, and Ballyloughane. According to RTÉ, they failed due to contamination from sewage and drainage, septic tank discharges, animal faeces, and river inputs. A number of other beaches were marked as vulnerable including, Garryvoe, Warrane, Cregane Strand, Youghal Front Strand, Lady’s Bay, Buncrana, Sandymount, Balbriggan, Rush South beach, Skerries, Tra na mBan, Bunmahon and Duncannon. Speaking about the results, Dr Matt Crowe, Director of EPA's Office of Evidence and Assessment has said:

“All bathers are entitled to feel that they and their loved ones are safe from harm from the water they swim in when they spend a day at the beach. More needs to be done to provide a greater level of protection for bathers at beaches and other bathing areas vulnerable to pollution. It is simply unacceptable to have popular bathing areas classified as being of poor quality.”