Beaches and Bathing Water Quality Information

Following the recent glorious weather, Fingal County Council is marking the start of the summer season by showcasing the Blue Flag and Green Coast Awards achieved across its coastline ahead of what is expected to be another busy summer from 1 June through to mid-September

All 10 identified beaches; Balbriggan Front Strand, Skerries South Beach, Loughshinny, Rush North, Rush South, Portrane the Brook, Donabate Balcarrick, Portmarnock Velvet Strand, Sutton Burrow and Claremont Beaches recorded excellent results from the pre-season bathing water quality samples taken on 25 05 2026.

Bathing water quality in Fingal has improved significantly over the past year, according to the latest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) report. The EPA reports that 98% of bathing waters nationally met or exceeded minimum standards in 2025, demonstrating the continued resilience of Ireland’s bathing waters.

The bathing water quality results for samples collected on 09th September, 2025 at all identified bathing waters have met the standard of “excellent” water quality, except Loughshinny are ‘Good’.

Sampling of water quality at Balscadden Bay and Ireland’s Eye from August 2015 to date.  

Lifeguards are there to protect people at the beach. Please respect them and listen to instructions they give.

Velvet Strand in Portmarnock is one of the beaches in Fingal to retain Blue Flag status in 2025

The trend of improving bathing water quality in Fingal means that the all-season notices advising people not to swim will be lifted at both beaches for 2025.

Fingal County Council are asking people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to have their say as part of the annual review of bathing waters across the region.

Read the answers to the Frequently Asked Questions with regard to identified bathing waters, the process with regard to testing and what the results mean etc