Plea to public to only swim at recognised recreational areas
The Irish Coast Guard is urging people not to engage in activities that put themselves at risk by diving or swimming in places that are not "recognised recreational areas" and may pose underwater dangers not readily obvious.
"Swimmers are literally jumping into the unknown, and there may be submerged objects that are not visible and may cause serious injury," warns Declan Geoghegan, manager ICG.
Lifeguards are employed during the summer period (June to August),usually from noon until 6pm, Monday to Friday and 11am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday. Photo Gillian Mills
The Irish Coast Guard is advising people to only swim at beaches and waterways where lifeguards are on duty, to obey the safety flags indicating whether it is safe to swim, and to always avoid swimming in locks and weirs.
"With the warmer weather over the last few days many people are taking to the water and enjoying outdoor activities. Last year the Irish Coast Guard saw an increase in incidents, and incidents are up again this year.
Where to eat and stay on the Wild Atlantic Way
If the idea of a culinary road trip has your mouth watering, travelling the 2,500km along the Wild Atlantic Way from Donegal to West Cork in the company of John and Sally McKenna’s pocket-size guide, will be a taste of paradise!
Featuring 350 entries starting with the Pyke ‘n’ Pommes food cart, in the shadow of the Foyle Bridge, and finishing with the ‘piscine brilliance’ of Martin Shanahan’s cooking in Fishy Fishy, Kinsale, ‘The Wild Atlantic Way is not just a travel adventure, it’s a culinary adventure as well,’ writes John McKenna.
Where to Eat and Stay on the Wild Atlantic Way is the first food and accommodation guide to be published on the WAW, the longest themed route on Earth - according to Failte Ireland, which hugs the coast through counties, Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Galway, Clare, Kerry and West Cork.
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Guest Writer2014-07-05 15:13:322019-02-14 15:57:31The Island Imagined by the Sea A History of Bull Island
Launch of ‘Your dog, your poop’ initiative
Dublin's four local authorities have launched a summer campaign to combat dog fouling across Dublin City and county.
"With the tourist season upon us and schools getting their holidays, Dublin’s parks, beaches and open spaces are sure to be very busy. This means it’s an ideal time to remind dog owners that they have an obligation to clean up after their dog," remarked Dl/R Cathaoirleach, Cllr Marie Baker.We want everybody to enjoy the wonderful parks and open spaces Dublin has to offer so we’re reminding all dog owners to ‘Bin the Poo’. Your dog is your responsibility and not cleaning up after your dog is against the law”, she added.
Pictured on Dún Laoghaire Pier are An Cathaoirleach, Marie Baker, DL/R County Council with Lord Mayor, Christy Burke – Dublin City Council; Rua; Mayor, Fintan Warfield, South Dublin County Council and Mayor Mags Murray – Fingal County Council
Cllr Baker was joined on Dún Laoghaire Pier by the Lord Mayor of Dublin Christy Burke, Mayor of Fingal, Cllr. Mags Murray and the Mayor of South Dublin, Cllr. Fintan Warfield.
Major growth potential for €2bn coastal tourism sector
Tourism in coastal counties could be worth up to €2bn to the economy with associated employment sustained locally in hospitality and tourism in the region of 80,000 jobs, according to Fáilte Ireland CEO Shaun Quinn who was speaking at Our Ocean Wealth conference in Dublin Castle on Wednesday.
The conference was the first annual review of progress in implementing the Government’s 2012 publication: Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth: An Integrated Marine Plan for Ireland.
Inisbofin (Island of the White Cow) Co Galway. Photo Gillian Mills
The marine sector is identified as an important pillar to national recovery and a key driver for developing the sector and driving economic growth.
New guiding light for mariners at Inisheer Lighthouse
The Commissioners of Irish Lights (CIL) have unveiled a new light emitting diode (LED) light for the Inisheer lighthouse that marks the south-eastern end of the Aran Islands and the western side of the southern approach to Galway Bay.
Inisheer Lighthouse. Photo Colin Day, CIL
This lighthouse is a highly important Aid to Navigation (AtoN) safeguarding considerable traffic between Inisheer and Co Clare. The tower at 34m in height ensures visibility of the light due to the low lying nature of the island. A red sector delineates the potential danger of Finnis Rock lying to the east.
Discover Ireland’s sea activities via ‘The Blueway’
Snorkeling and kayaking at five locations in counties Mayo and Galway feature in a pilot programme created by Failte Ireland to encourage visitors to enage with the sea.
Launching the Blueway, Minister of State for Tourism & Sport, Michael Ring said the project offered "an entirely new perspective" of Ireland's wild Atlantic coastline.
"The Blueway, initiative provides visitors with a safe haven to immerse themselves in some of the most glorious coastal waters anywhere in the world," he said.
Pictured at the Old Head beach near Louisburgh: Michael Ring Minister of State for Tourism and Sport; Rory McCarthy, Fáilte Ireland and members of the Bluewave working group: Charlie Lambert, Martin Dillane, Laura Taylor, Rosaleen Ni Shuilleabhain, Humphery Murphy, Richard Thorn, Maura Lyons and Sabrina Trench
Research indicates that more than 84,000 overseas visitors to Ireland engage in watersports annuallly with the majority of those participating in kayaking and snorkeling.
Fire prevention on Ireland’s islands
Residents on Mayo's islands are to receive comprehensive training in fire prevention and fighting under a Community Safety Programme, in the absence of a fire service and following tragic events in recent years. Fire extinguishers, smoke alarms and fire blankets are also being distributed.
Organised by Michelle O'Mahoney, development officer on Clare Island and Tony Shevlin, Senior Assistant Fire Officer, Mayo Fire & Rescue Service, islanders particiated in training sessions on Clare islands and Inis Turk and in the Wesport Fire Station.
Pontoons and harbour walls, and the joys of sharing
Norman Kean
In the last two editions of Inshore Ireland, I’ve written of marinas and visitors’ moorings. Filling the gap between the two extremes, as it were, are pontoons and harbour walls. A modest pontoon provides a wonderfully convenient berth for a visiting yacht, not to mention its short-term use by local boats.
Greencastle - a little crowded, but rafting the yachts all together helps! Photo Geraldine Hennigan
Step-ashore facilities are not only handy but a good deal safer than scrambling into a dinghy. The pontoons in Cork City, Sligo and the Layby in Galway add a whole new dimension to cruising – step off the boat right in the city centre.