Restrictions re dogs 11am to 7pm Blue Flag Beaches during bathing season
Please be advised that Blue Flag Beaches in Fingal - Donabate, Rush South and Portmarnock - have a prohibition on dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs, in the blue flag area from 01st June -15th September between the hours of 11am to 7pm.
For full details on Beaches and Bathing Water see https://www.fingal.ie/beaches-bathingwaterquality
Fingal County Council was delighted to be awarded blue flags for Rush South, Donabate and Portmarnock. Please be advised that Blue Flag Beaches have a prohibition on dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs, in the blue flag area from 01st June -15th September between the hours of 11am to 7pm. This is an essential criterion and non-compliance will result in the loss of our blue flags. We therefore appeal to the public to assist us and comply with these rules.
We are allowing people to walk their dog (on a leash) through the blue flag area, along the recommended dog access route which is near the back of the beach, to the non-blue flag area if this applies. People are not permitted walk on the dunes as these are protected ecosystems and previous audits have highlighted extensive trampling to the dunes, for which we installed additional signage.
Please see link to An Taisce Blue Flag Criteria https://beachawards.ie/blue-flag/
Criterion 23 states the following: Access to the beach by dogs and other domestic animals must be strictly controlled. Dogs or pets, other than assistance dogs are not allowed on a Blue Flag beach or in the Blue Flag area if it is part of a larger beach. If the presence of pets is permitted by the local and national legislation, animals are only allowed in the parking areas, walkways and promenades in the inland beach area and must under control.
This is especially important in terms of maintaining an excellent water quality, with overwhelming evidence connecting bathing water contamination to dog poo. Analysis shows that just one dog foul left behind can result in contamination the size of a tennis court.
A new animation to remind dog owners of the impact poo can have is here: https://youtu.be/7bas6zvBmM4
See Maps indicating blue flag areas
Donabate : https://bit.ly/3PUD6bH
Rush South Beach: https://bit.ly/3an7iLY
Portmarnock: https://bit.ly/3asmTKj
