Clare County Council will commence the publication of updates on conditions at County Clare’s Blue Flag beaches on its Twitter and Facebook accounts from Saturday, 3 June 2017.
The updates will feature latest sea, water quality and weather conditions, as well as Tide In and Tide Out times for Ballycuggeran (Killaloe), Cappa, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Spanish Point, Whitestrand Doonbeg and Whitestrand Miltown Malbay.
The updates coincide with the commencement of lifeguard cover at County Clare beaches this June Bank Holiday Weekend. Lifeguard cover will be provided at Clare’s Blue Flag beaches from 11.00am to 7.00pm this Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Cover will continue on Saturdays and Sundays during the month of June. There will be full-time time cover at these locations as well as at Bishops Quarter (Ballyvaughan) and Seafield Quilty during the months of July and August and the first two weekends of September.
The Beach Conditions updates will be posted on dates that lifeguards are on duty. See www.twitter.com/clarecoco and www.facebook.com/clarecountycouncil.
Clare McGrath, Water Safety Development Officer with Clare County Council is asking people to swim only in lifeguarded areas denoted by the lifeguard flags (red over yellow flags).
She explained: “I would urge members of the public to observe notices on any beach or where they want to swim, and to observe the Lifeguard’s rules and regulations regarding off limit swimming locations. Anyone who sees a water user in difficulty should summon help immediately. Children should be supervised at all times when near water, while people should also be wary of the locations of ringbuoys.”
Regarding those taking to Clare’s waterways on leisure crafts and boats, Ms. McGrath said: “Before entering the water, people are advised to check local weather conditions. People are also asked to wear correctly maintained and fitting lifejackets that are suitable for the activity and to ensure their craft is fit for purpose. Under no circumstances should alcohol be consumed prior to entering the water. To protect of other water users, users of boats and jet skis should also obey speed limits when launching or retrieving their vessel.”
Members of the public are requested to report any damaged, stolen, missing or retrieved ringbuoys to beaches@clarecoco.ie.