Lahinch residents are demanding that Clare County Council prioritises water safety over budgetary matters.
A woman was airlifted to hospital last evening after get into difficulty in the water at the north Clare beach while lifeguards were off duty.
The incident occurred as temperatures were cooling down following a record-breaking day of sun in Clare.
Shortly after 6pm, surfers spotted a woman who appeared to be unresponsive adrift on a board.
The group managed to get the woman to safety and after receiving treatment from emergency services and the Irish Coast Guard, she was airlifted to hospital.
Owner of the Coffee Hatch on the prom, Carmel Connaire, believes finding lifeguards shouldn’t be a challenge at this time of the year.
In the month of May, lifeguards have been on duty at Lahinch Beach from 11am to 7pm on weekends only.
From June until the end of August, the county’s beaches will be manned daily.
Due to the hot spell however, lifeguards have been put in place at Lahinch today.
Laura Nolan, who works in Spooney’s, says it’s vital there’s a watchful eye on people during such a busy period.
Temperatures could hit another record high this afternoon, and Barman in Vaughan’s on the Prom, Brandon Garrihy, says seeing lifeguards on the beach is always an indicator that summer has arrived.
You can listen to the full interview here:
Clare County Council Statement
“The beach was not lifeguarded yesterday as the planned lifeguard service had not yet commenced for the 2026 season. Lifeguards are scheduled to be on duty seven days a week from May 30th, and weekend cover was in place at the weekends during May. The Council had also arranged for lifeguard cover at Lahinch and Whitestrand Miltown Malbay for today Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th considering the current heatwave and expected visitor numbers at these locations.
The availability of lifeguards is a major factor in providing the lifeguard service. Our lifeguards (54 for the 2026 season) are typically drawn from a student cohort who are only available for the summer months.
This incident does highlight however the dangers of swimming in certain sea conditions and in particular when there are no lifeguards on duty.
We request all beach users to be mindful of all Water Safety Ireland advice (attached).
For your information the lifeguard service for Clare bathing water locations for 2026 is outlined below:
May – Weekends (16th & 17th), (23rd & 24th) and (30th & 31st) – Lifeguard service at Lahinch, Spanish Point, Kilkee & Fanore
1st June – Full time lifeguards at Lahinch, Spanish Point, Fanore & Kilkee, 7 days, 11am-7pm
June Weekends – Whitestrand Miltown Malbay, Doonbeg, Cappa, Ballyallia, Mountshannon and Killaloe. Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday 11-7pm
July & August – Lahinch, Spanish Point, Fanore, Kilkee, Whitestrand Miltown Malbay, Doonbeg, Cappa, Ballyallia, Mountshannon, Killaloe, Seafield and Bishopsquarter. 7 days, 11-7pm.
September – Weekends (5th & 6th) and (12th & 13th) Lahinch, Spanish Point, Fanore, Kilkee, Whitestrand Miltown Malbay, Doonbeg, Cappa, Mountshannon, Killaloe.”
