Red flag flying at Lahinch beach with swimming ban in place

by Páraic McMahon paraic@clareecho.ie

A RED flag is flying at Lahinch following the introduction of a do not swim notice on Tuesday afternoon.

Elevated levels of bacteria have been cited by Clare County Council who have raised the red flag at Lahinch and introduced a bathing prohibition on the advice of the HSE.

Prohibitions on swimming at Lahinch were also issued in August 2019 and August 2020.

Routing bathing water samples indicated higher levels than normal of bacteria which prompted the introduction of the restrictions, a spokesperson for the Council stated.

“Run-off from the catchment after exceptionally heavy rainfall is identified as a cause of the elevated levels of bacteria in the water. In accordance with An Taisce’s Blue Flag programme, the Blue Flag at this bathing area will be removed until such time as the water quality improves,” the spokesperson added.

Over the past four years, there have been 10 separate do now swim notices issued for Lahinch, Kilkee, White Strand (Miltown Malbay), Spanish Point and White Strand (Doonbeg). In 2019, 2020 and 2021, Kilkee was hit with swimming bans lasting a combined 21 days. Two of these notices were directly attributed to a malfunction at the sewage pumping station caused by a burst in the rising main.

Speaking to The Clare Echo, Senator Roisin Gar-