Lifeguards carried out 473 water rescues last year 

Lifeguards administered first aid on more than 6,000 occasions and reunited 500 children found wandering alone on beaches with their families,

Lifeguards carried out 473 rescues last year, and also administered first aid on more than 6,000 occasions and reunited 500 children found wandering alone on beaches with their families.

The figures are contained in the latest annual report from Water Safety Ireland, which shows the highest number of rescues were in Clare and Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown. It also shows there were 80 drownings last year, 50 of which were accidental.