Lifeguarded Areas By County

For operational reasons the Lifeguard cover may vary from the details listed here. If in doubt, please contact the relevant Local Authority directly for confirmation.

Locations: River Barrow – Clashganna Borris, Bagenalstown

Months: Mid June to End of August

Time: 14:00 – 17:30 and 18:00 – 20:00

Locations: Spanish Point; Lahinch; Fanore; Kilkee

Months: Start weekend 20th and 21st May, weekend 27th and 29th May, from Sat 3rd June – full time until 31st August, weekends in September until 10th September

Time: 11.00-19.00


Locations: Whitestrand, Miltown Malbay; Whitestand Doonbeg;, Kilrush; Mountshannon; Ballycuggeran, Killaloe

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Weekends in September until 10th September Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Weekends in September until 13th September

Time: 11.00-19.00


Locations: Bishops Quarter, Ballyvaughan; Seafield Quilty, Cappagh Pier, Ballyallia, Ennis.

Months: Everyday July and August

Time: 11.00-19.00


Clare County Council advises that the safest place to swim is 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 in Clare please visit: https://www.clarecoco.ie/services/arts-recreation/leisure-and-swimming/bathing/

Locations: Front Strand – Youghal, Claycastle – Youghal, Redbarn – Youghal, Garryvoe, Fountainstown, Garrylucas, Garrettstown, Inchydoney – East and West, Owenahincha, The Warren, Tragumna, Barleycove

Months: Weekends in June from June 3rd; Everyday – July and August; First weekend of September until September 10th

Time: 10:30 – 19:00

Further details on Cork beaches https://www.corkcoco.ie/en/visiting-cork/beaches

Daily information and updates https://www.facebook.com/CorkCoCoBeachLifeguard

Locations: Bundoran; Rossnowlagh

Months: Everyday – June, July and August; First two weekends in September

Time: 11.00-19.00


Locations: Murvagh; Fintra; Narin; Carrickfinn; Killahoey; Marblehill; Downings; Portsalon; Rathmullan; Culdaff; Shroove

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; First two weekends in September

Time: 12.00-18.30

Locations: Dollymount Strand / Blue Wall

Months: Everyday – June, July and August; Everyday in September until the third weekend in September

Time: 11:30 – 18:30

Locations: Seapoint, Sandycove, Killiney

Months: Everyday – Everyday – June (if resources available); July and August (from 1st June); first two weekends in September

Time: Monday to Friday 12:00 noon – 18:00; Weekends and Bank Holidays 11:30 – 18:00

Locations: Howth – Claremount Sutton, Sutton – Burrow Beach, Donabate – Balcarrick, , Rush – South Beach, Skerries – South Beach, Balbriggan – Front Strand

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Portmarnock – Velvet Strand (Port 1 and 2), Portmarnock – Velvet Strand (Port 3 – off Golf Links Road),

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Blue Flag Beaches for the first two weekends in September

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Malahide – Short Deep

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; CONSTANT RED FLAG

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Portrane – Brook, Rush – North Beach, Loughshinny – Harbour

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August (if resources available)

Time: 11:00 – 19:00

Locations: Ladies Beach Salthill
Blackrock Salthill
Silverstrand (Barna)
Grattan Salthill
Palmers Salthill
Ballyloughane Renmore
Tracht, Cinn Mhara
Loughrea Lake
An Trá Mór, Knock, Indreabhán
Trá an Dóilín, An Cheathrú Rua
Portumna – Shannon Road
Céibh an Spidéil – An Spidéal

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Weekends in September until 12th September

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Cill Mhuirbhigh, Inis Mór

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Weekends in September until 12th September

Time: 12:00 – 16:00


Locations: Spiddal Rd An Spidéal, Roundstone Connemara

Months: Weekends in July and August

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Inis Óirr

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; Weekends in September

Time: Saturday 12:00 – 16:00; Sunday 10:00 – 16:00

For further information about Galway lifeguards and beach quality, read more.

Subject to availability of lifeguards and resources.

Locations: Fenit, Banna, Ballyheigue, Ballybunion North, Ballybunion South, Derrynane, Ballinskelligs, White Strand-Caherciveen, Marahees, Ventry, Inch, Rossbeigh, Kells Bay

Months: Everyday – June, July and August (from June Bank Holiday) ; Weekends in September until 12th September

Time: Weekdays 12:00 noon – 19:00; Weekends and Bank Holidays 11:00 – 19:00

Locations: The Weir, Kilkenny City, The Meadows, Kilkenny City, Inistioge, Thomastown Weir Pool, Graiguenamanagh

Months: Weekends in June (from Saturday June 3rd); Everyday – July and August

Time: 13:00 – 16:00 and 16:30 – 19:00

Locations: Glin Pier, Kilteery Pier

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August

Time: 3.5 hours either side of high tide daily

Locations: Templetown, Port, Clogher Head

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August; First two weekends in September

Time: 11:00 – 18:00

Locations: Westport – Bartra, Louisburgh – Old Head, Louisburgh – Carramore, Louisburgh – Carrowniskey, Newport – Mulranny, Achill Island – Keel, Achill Island – Keem, Achill Island – Dugort, Achill Island – Silver Strand, Killala – Ross

Months: Weekends in June (from 3rd June); Everyday – July and August; First weekend in September up to and including 5th September

Time: 12:00 noon – 18:30


Locations: Belmullet Tidal Pool

Months: Everyday from July 1st to September 5th

Time: 14:00 – 18:00

Hours may be extended during periods of good weather or when classes are busy. Ask locally for more information.

Locations: Bettystown

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August

Time: 11:00 -19:00

Locations: Castlerea Open Air Pool

Months: TBC

Time: TBC

Locations: Rosses Point, Enniscrone

Months: Weekends in June; Everyday – July and August

Time: 11:30 – 19:00


Locations: Dunmoran, Streedagh

Months: Weekends in July and August

Time: 12:30 – 18:30

Locations: Ballina Outdoor Pool (Not Local Authority Lifeguarded), Borrisokane Outdoor Pool (Not Local Authority Lifeguarded)

Months: TBC

Time: TBC

Locations: Ardmore, Clonea, Tramore, Dunmore East (Counsellors and Lawlors)

Months: Weekends only commencing 3rd June. 7 days a week 1st July to 31st August. First two weekends in Sept

Time: 11:00 – 19:00


Locations: Bonmahon

Months: 7 days a week from 1st July to 31st August

Time: 11:00 – 19:00

Locations: Ballymoney, Ballinisker, Carne, Morriscastle, Curracloe, Rosslare Strand, Duncannon

Months: Weekends (from June 13th); Everyday – July and August

Time: 11:00 – 19:00

Locations: Bray (Two Stations), Greystones South (Blue Flag Beach), Brittas Bay North (Blue Flag Beach), Brittas Bay South (Blue Flag Beach), Arklow South Beach, Wicklow Harbour

Months: Everyday – June, July and August; Arklow starting in July; First two weekends in September

Time: 11:00 – 19:00

Lifeguard Training & Awards

Are you interested in training as a Lifeguard? You have come to the right place.

Water Safety Ireland is a full member of the International Lifesaving Federation, meaning our pool and beach Lifeguard certifications not only allow you to work in Ireland. They give you the chance to save lives worldwide.

Lifeguarding has a number of great benefits. While providing paid employment during the summer months, it is a great way to develop lifelong skills and make a valuable contribution to your local community.

If you have already trained as a lifeguard, the International Lifeguard Equivalency Table helps you decide what qualifications from other countries are accepted for employment in Ireland.

Kick start the next stage of your career today.