75% of Irish bathing spots rated ‘excellent’

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.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) study identified 136 bathing water areas around the country, both coastal and inland, and found that 94% met new, stricter EU standards, while 75% were deemed to be of “excellent” quality.

However, seven areas failed to meet the minimum standard — Youghal’s front strand; nearby Ardmore; Clifden and Ballyloughane in Galway; Duncannon in Co Wexford; the south beach in Rush in Co Dublin; and Lilliput in Lough Ennell in Co Westmeath.