Upgrades Potentially On The Way For Wicklow's Coves.

A significant update was received about lifeguarding in Greystones.

At the January meeting of the Greystones Municipal District, a significant update was received about lifeguarding in Greystones. The Environmental Services Section of Wicklow County Council is actively considering adding summer lifeguards to the Cove in Greystones in the future. Cllr Stephen Stokes, Cathaoirleach of the Greystones District commented that a positive discussion that was held:

"In order for the Cove to have a lifeguard service, the Cove needs to become a designated bathing area. To achieve this, a prospective designated bathing area needs to have good quality water samples for three years in a row. We already have two years completed. Hopefully we are swimming in the right direction on this."

Should the Cove reach designated bathing area status, it is planned to invest around €50,000 into the project in the first year. Wicklow County Council also carried out a risk safety assessment of the Cove in March 2023. This recommended the addition of a lifeguard service, with three lifeguards on a rotation basis. The risk assessment has also resulted in the buoys being increased from 2 to 4. Additional signage due to be installed soon. 

The Greystones Municipal District meeting also heard that Wicklow County Council has again applied for a blue flag for the South Beach. During the blue flag season dogs are not permitted in the blue flag section. Wicklow County Council has given a commitment that waste enforcement officers will monitor the South Beach.