Donal Hickey: Beach safety in peak holiday season... anyone can drown but no one should

Today is World Drowning Prevention Day. Water Safety Ireland's summer online class only lasts seven minutes but could save lives — link below

While overseeing the safety of the public in the water, beach lifeguards are reminding parents and guardians that when it comes to younger children at the seaside ‘Holding Hands Saves Lives’. Picture: Brian Lougheed

Even though it happened more than 60 years ago, a frightening event during a family visit to Rossbeigh Beach on the Ring of Kerry, remains etched in memory.

On that blistering summer Sunday, a younger brother somehow slipped away from our group unnoticed and wandered off into the crowds.