9 per cent of bathing sites have 'excellent’ water quality, according to a report from the Environmental Protection Agency.
Its annual bathing water quality report shows good results for the country's officially designated bathing areas.
Three got a rating of poor, Balbriggan Front Strand in north Dublin, Lady’s Bay in Buncrana, Co Donegal, and Trá na mBan, at An Spidéal in Co Galway. Wastewater discharge and run-off from urban and agricultural lands were among some of the issues that resulted in a poor rating.
Mary Gurrie, programme manager with the EPA says swimming restrictions for the 2023 season will be imposed on those three bathing sites: