The Charging Of The Guard

The Cove 2022

atest press release from Cllr Lourda Scott, issued on Wednesday, January 31st 2024…

The campaign to make The Cove a designated bathing area took another step closer at this month’s District Council meeting.

Councillor Lourda Scott raised the matter which was proposed by the community back in 2018. Speaking after the meeting Scott said, “As we all know, The Cove is an incredibly popular swimming spot for the community. Water monitoring has been done to ensure that the water meets strict microbiological water quality standards. We now have four year’s worth of data and I have asked the Council to clearly signpost what the next steps are for the Cove to be listed as an official bathing spot.

“I have been contacted by many people who swim in The Cove, asking about its progress towards becoming a designated bathing area and the possibility of getting lifeguards. The Environment section in Wicklow County Council have been looking at this and I asked them to present to the Greystones District meeting to update us on what, if any, progress was made.

“At last night’s meeting we were informed that the risk assessment has been done and there is a recommendation for lifeguard service to be provided in both The Cove and also Kilcoole beach.

“Despite this, the Council informed us that after examining the costs of this, coupled with the difficulty in lifeguard recruitment, that it is not a feasible option.

“The provision of extra ring buoys was another one of the recommendations from the water risk assessment report that has been implemented.

“Upon further questioning they clarified that The Cove needs one more year of good water testing results to become a designated bathing area beach.

“While this is disappointing news on some respects, I welcome the fact that there is now clarity around this topic and that the water quality testing will continue.”