A safety message has been issued by the Coast Guard ahead of the Christmas season.

Clare County Council is urging Christmas Day swim participants to exercise extreme caution due to forecasted strong winds and sea swells this weekend.

Clare Water Safety and the Freagh Castle Clean Coast group in West Clare have beaten off competition from all over Ireland to win the Ocean Hero Beach Clean of the Year Award in recognition of their coastal cleanup near Miltown Malbay in early 2016.

Canoe facilities and services blocks are being provided at various locations around Lough Derg as part of a new initiative aimed at promoting water-based activities on Ireland’s third largest lake.

Residents in Shannon are currently without a supply of water.

Clare County Council has beaten off competition from across the island of Ireland to be named winner of the Charles Thomson Award, an annual award scheme which recognises the work of Local Authorities in promoting water safety.

Irish Water have announced plans to replace the ageing water mains network in the vicinity of Griffin's Cross, Parteen with new pipes.

A recently promoted garda sergeant and a businessman who rescued a man from drowning in Co Clare in August will be among almost 50 people who will be honoured at a special event in Dublin today.