Swimmers warned off nine popular Dublin bathing spots until next week

Sarah Slater

Bathers are being warned not to swim at nine popular swimming spots in Dublin due to heavy and persistent rainfall.

One new and three extended prohibition notices have been put in place by Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

The ban, which was imposed on Saturday, is now affecting Seapoint, close to Dún Laoghaire and will remain in place until this coming Thursday.

The no swimming notice has also been extended at Blackrock Baths, Corbawn Strand and at the Forty Foot.

Prior warning notices are also in place for five other bathing bans which are to last until this coming Thursday for Coliemore Harbour, Sandycove, Dún Laoghaire Baths, Killiney Beach and Whiterock Beach.

In a statement, the council outlined that “additional (water quality) sampling” is to be carried out.

The council said that due to the weather forecast of “heavy and persistent rain over the weekend and into early next week, and the increased risk of stormwater overflows,” the warning notices have been issued.

They said that the situation will be “monitored” over the weekend and tests are scheduled to take place at high tide 7 am on Tuesday, with results due on Thursday.

Several of the bathing spots affected have been closed on numerous occasions over the past number of years due to water quality issues caused primarily by heavy rainfall.

Last month the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classed the water quality at Dún Laoghaire Baths as "poor" due to isolated pollution incidents such as stormwater overflows in 2025.

The agency said that a bathing restriction/advisory notice be issued.

However, the council questioned the EPA’s stance and noted that over a three-year-period up to 2026 the water met "good" standards and up until the current prohibition testing indicated it is excellent and safe for swimming.