Donegal County Council promotes water safety awareness through its involvement with the Donegal Water Safety Committee and Water Safety Ireland. With over 1000km of coastline and an abundance of river and lakes water safety in Donegal is of particular importance.

There are numerous popular bathing places around the county that attract increasing numbers of bathers, walkers and water sports enthusiasts. Safety on the beaches is the responsibility of all users, however Donegal County Council employs qualified lifeguards during the summer months to patrol a number of the more popular and busier beaches. A lifeguard service is provided at the following beaches; Bundoran, Rossnowlagh, Murvagh, Fintra, Naran, Carrickfin, Killahoey, Marble Hill, Downings, Portsalon, Rathmullan, Lisfannon, Stroove and Culdaff.

During the summer months the Donegal Water Safety Committee organizes Water Safety Classes where children can learn to swim, complete survival and rescue classes and eventually train to become lifeguards and instructors.

Donegal County Council won the Charles Thompson Award for our contribution to water safety in 2014 from the Water Safety Ireland. This is a competition among all Local Authorities across the 32 counties.