Ten people drown in Ireland each month on average, with 70% of them males

Among the details in the Water Safety Ireland report is that 61% of accidental drownings were preceded by the victim being engaged in a land-based activity such as walking, fishing from land, cycling, or driving. iStock

An average of 10 people drown every month in Ireland, with males accounting for 70% of all drownings and over half the victims aged between 40 and 69, a major new study has found.

Between 2017 and 2021, a total of 588 people drowned — down 17% on the previous five-year study — according to figures released by Water Safety Ireland.