Tag Archives: Clare beaches

VOLUNTEERS working on a number of Clare beaches and waterside locations at the weekend picked up over 2.5 tonnes of litter between them. Clean Coasts, which organised the big beach clean-up between September 16 and 18 said it received overwhelming support and commitment from Clare volunteers and communities. Twenty-five groups banded together to carry out clean-up events removing the litter over the weekend. Among these groups, Clean Coasts volunteers were joined by Spanish Point Community Group, Brothers of Charity, Cappa Community Group, Scariff National School, Fanore Community Group, Ballvaughan Community Development Group/Tidy Towns, Ennistymon Tidy Towns and Connolly Tidy Village and other households, groups and individuals. These groups, tackled litter in several locations, including Spanish Point, Whitestrand Miltown Malbay, Cappa, Scariff town, Fanore, Bishops Quarter, Ennistymon River Region, Connolly Village and more. Clean Coasts officer Dara Dever joined a group of volunteers in Seafield who carried out a litter pick and marine litter survey. The event was such a success …

CLARE County Council has announced that the lifeguard service at four of Clare’s most popular beaches is being extended this year. Lifeguards at Fanore, Lahinch, Kilkee and Spanish Point will be on duty full-time (11am-7pm, seven days a week) until Sunday, September 12. In previous years, these beaches were not lifeguarded during weekdays in September and had weekend cover only. The lifeguard service at Ballyalla, Bishops Quarter and Seafield will close fully today, Tuesday, August 31. There will be no weekday or weekend service at these locations after August 31. The lifeguard service at Mountshannon, Ballycuggeran Killaloe, Cappa, White Strand Doonbeg and White Strand Miltown Malbay will finish weekday service today, Tuesday, August 31, but will be open for the weekends of September 4-5 and September 11-12 (11am-7pm). Clare County Council advises that you should always swim at lifeguarded locations. For swimming advice and precautions, please visit the Water Safety Ireland website  https://watersafety.ie/recreation For information on beaches and bathing areas …

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 Safety (IWS) and the Republic of Ireland and Ulster branch of the Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) presented the award to Clare County Council at a ceremony in Dublin attended by Councillor Paul Murphy (Leas Cathaoirleach), Pat Dowling (Chief Executive), Anne Haugh (Director of Services) and Clare McGrath (Clare Water Safety Development Officer). The Charles Thomson Award scheme organisers commended Clare County Council for its work in promoting water safety during 2015 including the completion of new lifeguard, training and public facilities at Whitestrand Miltown Malbay, the securing of a record number of International Blue Flags in spite of the damage caused by storms al local beaches during the previous year, the ongoing provision of professional training and upskilling opportunities for …

ELEVEN of the EU identified bathing waters in County Clare achieved compliance with the new stricter standards of ‘Excellent ‘ or ‘Good’ bathing water quality according to the most recent Environmental Protection Agency report, The Quality of Bathing Water in Ireland – 2014. Those waters which achieved the excellent standard rating included Ballyallia Lake, Ballycuggeran, Bishopsquater, Cappagh Pier Kilrush, Fanore, Kilkee, Lahinch, Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Spanish Point and White Strand – Doonbeg and Miltown Malbay. Throughout 2014, Local Authorities tested 136 EU identified bathing waters together with many other smaller, or less well used, waters with 94% of identified bathing areas meeting new stricter EU standards. These are almost twice as strict as those previously applied. The EPA advises bathers in County Clare that they can check current bathing water quality using the Splash website, splash.epa.ie. The website has an interactive, colour-coded map that allows people to check out any of the 136 EU identified bathing waters. Before deciding on the …

An Taisce has awarded a record nine prestigious International Blue Flag to County Clare’s beaches, as well as two Green Coast Awards. The Blue Flag award is a prestigious environmental eco-label awarded to more than 80 beaches and a small number of marinas in Ireland.   The award represents high standards in water quality, environmental information and education, environmental management and safety, services and facilities. The Flags were presented  by Alan Kelly TD. Minister for the Environment Community and Local Government, at a ceremony held at Ballinskelligs Beach in Kerry. Blue Flags were awarded to Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay, Ballycuggernan, Whitestrand Doonbeg, Mountshannon, Cappa, Fanore, Spanish Point, Kilkee and Lahinch. Speaking following the award ceremony, Councillor John Crowe, Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, expressed his delighted that Clare had for the first time been awarded 9 blue flags, as well as Green Coast Awards for beaches at Bishops Quarter at Ballyvaughan and Seafield, Quilty. Councillor Crowe also noted the significance of Clare’s …

AHEAD of what is expected to be a busy weekend at Clare’s beaches, Clare County Council is urging visitors to “Respect the Banner” by keeping Clare and its beaches litter-free. Clare has been one of the hottest spots in Ireland this week with temperatures regularly hitting 26-28c, which has resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of visitors to popular seaside resorts such as Lahinch and Kilkee. Joan Tarmey, Environmental Awareness Officer commented, “We have incredible beaches stretching along our coastline that is the envy the world over.  With these incredible assets comes a responsibility to look after and respect them.  The council is calling on people to ‘Respect the Banner’ by keeping it litter free. “The council wants to acknowledge the vast majority of diligent people visiting our beaches who ensure all empty packaging or picnic waste is taken home or alternatively deposited in the public bins provided. But we are taking this opportunity to remind people to …