WHEN the sun is shining and skies are blue is there a nicer place to be than the beach? Even if there’s only a mild hope of a favourable weather, we flock to the seaside.

Ireland has the highest percentage of beaches and lakes with poor quality bathing water in the EU after Estonia, according to a report in the lead-up to the holiday season.

Three-quarters of Irish bathing spots are rated as excellent, but seven areas —including notable spots such as Youghal and Ardmore —are rated as having poor quality water, according to a report.

Four of the country’s most popular bathing spots have failed to pass basic water cleanliness tests.

Four of the country’s most popular bathing spots have failed to pass basic water cleanliness tests.

Gulliver’s Travels, Everyman, Cork

FOUR of the country’s top bathing spots have failed to meet basic water cleanliness marks.

Four of the country’s top bathing spots have failed to meet basic water cleanliness marks.

Up to 91% of Ireland's beaches comply with the EU standard.

BEEN there, done that, thought I should have been Taoiseach.

Bathing spots around the country were hit by the worst water quality on record during last year’s washed out summer, a new report revealed today.

The parents of a newborn baby were claiming a place in the record books today - after registering her for a popular primary school when she was only two hours old.

BUILT in 1801, Mount Eaton House in Cobh is a little like Gulliver in Lilliput. This big, 4,400 square foot house is surrounded by newer and smaller properties while its entrance is almost hidden between two bungalows at Eaton Heights.