Statistics

Drownings 2023

• 129 total drownings in 2023
  • This is a 29% increase from 2022
  • 95 Accidental drownings
    • 45 Swimming/bathing
    • 44 Land-based activity (walking, hiking, angling from shore or structure, driving, cycling, playing sport or games)
    • 6 Boating
  • 32 drownings by suicide
  • 2 other/unclassified drownings
• Males account for 78% (n = 100) of all drownings, females totalled 22% (n = 29)
• Individuals aged in their 40s, 50s, and 60s accounted 60% (n = 77) of all drownings
• 8 individuals aged under 18 drowned
  • 6 were male
  • 2 were female

Rolling 2018 to 2022 Quick Facts

• From 2018 to 2022 there was a total of 578 drowning, an average of 116 drownings per year.
  • This is down from 132 average per year during 2013 to 2017.
  • The 10-year average 2013 to 2022 is 124 drownings per year.
• Males account for 69% (n = 399) of all drownings from 2018 to 2022.
• Individuals aged in their 40s, 50s, and 60s accounted 61% (n = 353) of all drownings in 2018 to 2022.
• 23 individuals aged under 18 drowned 2018 to 2022.
  • 15 were male
  • 8 were female
• 207 were drownings by suicide, accounting for 36% of all drownings in 2018 to 2022.
• From 2018 to 2022, 67% (n = 235) of all accidental drownings (n = 351) were preceded by land-based activities (such as walking, hiking, foraging, fishing from land, cycling, and driving).
  • 22% (n = 78) of accidental drownings (351) were preceded by swimming, bathing, or other water-based activities excluding the use of any watercraft.

Provisional* Drownings In 2025

* Provisional data from the Central Statistics Office and is subject to change

This information is collated from the Irish Coast Guard, An Garda Siochana, Coroner’s Court, and media reports. It is updated as new reports are received.

• Drownings in Ireland year to date: 80
  • Leinster: 27
  • Munster: 23
  • Connacht: 17
  • Ulster, part of: 13
• Drownings of Irish Nationals while overseas: 7
  • Australia, Portugal, Spain, England, USA, and Malta
• Drownings in Ireland year to date: 80 – 1.55 per 100,000
  • Leinster: 27
    • 0.94 per 100,000
  • Munster: 23
    • 1.67 per 100,000
  • Connacht: 17
    • 2.88 per 100,000
  • Ulster, part of: 13
    • 4.14 per 100,000

Lifeguard Rescue Statistics

Definitions
Rescue: Physical intervention with Canbuoy, a Rescue Board, or a Rescue Tube, Long distance pick up in Deepwater.
Assist: Wading, Reaching, Ringbuoy, Canbuoy Assist/Towing – No serious carries involved or Physical Contact, Short Distance.
Advice Given: General Safety Advice – Flag Meanings, Weather Conditions, Facility Locations, Verbal Advice by Lifeguard.
Accident Prevented: Blowing Whistles, Keeping people in LG Zone, Preventing Climbing on rocks, Advising Water Sports users to keep out of LG Zone, Verbal or Signal Intervention by Lifeguards

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