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As the Summer bathing season arrives, Cork County Council’s Beach Lifeguard Team is once again preparing to oversee the safety of the public in the water around the county’s stunning coast. 

The beach lifeguards motto this year is once again ‘Holding Hands Saves Lives”.  Last Summer the county’s lifeguards reunited 23 children with their parents across Cork Beaches, up on 15 in 2021. Parental supervision and vigilance are key in keeping children safe on a day out in any water environment.  Inflatable boats, beds and toys are unsafe to use on open water due to our temperate climate together with strong and changeable winds throughout most of the summer. Cork County Beach Lifeguards are asking parents and guardians to always swim at a lifeguarded waterway and not bring inflatable toys to the beach where it is unsafe to use them.

Starting this weekend, the beach lifeguards will raise their red and yellow flags to indicate when they are on duty between 10.30am to 7pm daily.  They will be on duty weekends in June, full time in July and August and the first two weekends of September.  The last day of duty will be September the 10th 2023.

Cork County Council’s Beachlifeguard teams will be on duty at Youghal (Front Strand, Claycastle and Redbarn), Garryvoe, Fountainstown, Inchydoney, Owenahincha, The Warren, Garrylucas, Garretstown, Tragumna and Barleycove Beaches.  Due to the unavailability of staff some locations may not operate at certain times.  Up to date information on lifeguarded beach will be available on Cork County Council Beachlifeguards Facebook page. 

Cork County Council wishes to remind everyone of the importance of learning the Flag System at the beach, especially children.  

  • A red over yellow flag means the lifeguards are on duty.  
  • Swim between the red and yellow flags close and parallel to the shore as this is the area that the lifeguards are patrolling.   
  • A red flag indicates that swimming is not advised.  
  • Black and white chequered flags mark the area for surfing only.  

Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr Danny Collins is also asking all swimmers to familiarise themselves with the flag system:

“As with every other Summer Season, our beach lifeguard service has resumed.  While we promote water safety rigorously every year, this year we are also reminding members of the public to please respect the water, leave inflatable toys at home, supervise children when they are in the water and finally enjoy our beautiful beaches.” 

Cork County Council Chief Executive Tim Lucey went on to say:

“Our Lifeguards provide a wonderful service in terms of water safety but they are also available for any first aid events and are ready and willing to help so please do not hesitate to contact them for any assistance.”

For further Water Safety information, daily updates on conditions and flags flying at each beach visit ‘Cork Beach Lifeguards’ on Facebook.