Calls for consistent lifeguard hours as hot weather draws crowds to Irish beaches

Lifeguard hours on Irish beaches are facing renewed scrutiny as a spell of hot weather draws crowds to the coast. Fine Gael Senator Michael Kenneally has urged local authorities to coordinate lifeguard patrols, citing significant variations in hours across the country's 21 coastal councils.

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I raised this in May, when the (good) weather actually came... before any bathing season or lifeguard duty hours were on our beaches, the weather improved and people rushed to the beaches.

"There's 21 local authorities with huge variations in lifeguard hours," Kenneally stated. He emphasized the need for a consistent beach lifeguard season throughout the summer, particularly as more people are holidaying at home and flocking to beaches like those in Kerry and Donegal. Kenneally wants people to know, for example, that lifeguards will be on duty at Ballybunion from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the summer months.

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There's 21 local authorities with huge variations in lifeguard hours.

Dr. Joanne Walsh, CEO of Water Safety Ireland, echoed the call for standardized hours, stating the organization supports measures that enhance water safety. However, she pointed out the challenges in recruiting lifeguards for a role that is primarily seasonal. "What I would say is we have to be mindful we're living in Ireland, where an outside lifeguard role is not a full-time role throughout the year," Walsh explained. The recruitment pool often consists of third-level or older secondary school students, who are unavailable during exam periods in May and return to college or school in September. Extending the season could further reduce the applicant pool, she noted.

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I want people to know that when they come to Ballybunion, they know that the lifeguard is on from 11am to 7pm in the summer months.