Life’s A Very Healthy South Beach

Over the silver seas…

ure, isn’t our beloved South Beach always getting rosettes, certificates of approval and blue flags…

Still, it’s always nice when a government body recognises just how rockin’ our seafront hangout happens to be.

And this week, it’s the turn of the Environmental Protection Agency, whose 2024 nationwide report has deemed Greystones’ beloved beach Excellent.

Which, of course, it most certainly is.

Other beaches in Wicklow feeling the EPA love include Bray South Promenade, Silver Strand, Brittas Bay North Beach, Brittas Bay South Beach and where-the-hell-is-that? Clogga Beach.

Monitored over the summer of 2014, when we could all splish and splash right on top of one another, the Highest Quality status was bestowed upon Arklow South Beach, Kilcoole, Murrough and South of Bray Harbour.

Unfortunately, these beaches are situated in Arklow, Kilcoole, Wicklow Town and Bray, respectively.

Only two bathing waters failed to make the Excellent or Good grade, with Sandymount Strand in Dublin and Lady’s Bay in Buncrana both registering as Poor.

The two low ratings is down from five last year.

Says local busy body and Social Democrats spokesperson for Climate Action & Biodiversity Jennifer Whitmore, “Quality water is not only beneficial to the local community for water activities but, if the water is good enough for us to swim in, it must be good enough for marine life.

“Our rivers, lakes and waterways continue to suffer, and will need stringent measures in place to address the quality of these waters if we are going to preserve and protect them not just as amenities for us to enjoy, but as important areas for our biodiversity.”

Cover pic by Lisa Hempenstall. You can read the full Bathing Water Quality In Ireland 2024 report here.