“Serious concerns” have been expressed over a decision not to designate Doolin as an official bathing area.
Despite frequent calls for the lifeguard station to be reopened at Old Doolin Pier, a Clare County Council ruling has deemed the area unsuitable for swimming.
Generations of people living and holidaying in North Clare have flocked to Doolin throughout the years to swim and dive off the popular pier.
Since the closure of the lifeguard station at the pier in 2014, there have been frequent calls for it to be reopened, so that the amenity can be safely enjoyed once again.
Enjoyers of the pier have been dealt another blow this week, as Clare County Council has rejected an application proposing Old Doolin Pier as a bathing area, on the grounds that it doesn’t meet EPA’s guidelines.
Other areas in Clare proposed, namely Clahane, Kilbaha, Lough Bunny, Brews Bridge and Rinevilla, were also unsuccessful.
Lisdoonvarna Fine Gael Councillor Joe Garrihy believes the unsuccessful application represents an opportunity to carry out improvement works and make Doolin better suited to bathing activities in the future.
A petition submitted to Clare County Council last year calling for the designation of Old Doolin Pier as a bathing water garnered 6,000 signatures, while a ‘Call To Action Day’ in September attracted over 1,000 attendees.
Doolin Pier Group, who organised the event, have taken issue with the local authority’s ruling, claiming “the risk assessment inaccurately states that swimming is prohibited as per the bye laws when, in fact, swimming is permitted”.
Leigh O’Connell, who’s a member of the Doolin Pier Group, believes the decision doesn’t reflect the safety measures in place at the amenity.
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