Local Businesses and day-trippers are expressing hard felt disappointment over bathing restrictions in Lahinch.
On the advice of the HSE, Clare County Council has issued a Do Not Swim notice for the North Clare Town’s prominent beach, following the detection of elevated levels of bacteria in the bathing water.
The sound of Lahinch’s iconic waves clashing with the rocks on the popular beach, but unfortunately for the many visitors, who have travelled near and far to take in the Wild Atlantic Way, that’s as close as they’ll be getting to the water for the time being.
Acting on the advice of the HSE, Clare County Council has issued a do not swim notice following the identification of high levels of bacteria at the beach.
As a result An Taisce’s coveted blue flag has been swapped for a red flag, with the bathing prohibitions expected to remain in place for up to five days.
Regular visitors who’ve come from across the country to bask in Lahinch’s waters have been telling Clare FM, that they’ve been forced to change their plans.
A local hospitality provider, meanwhile, is raising concerns over the reputational damage the do not swim notices may have for Lahinch.
Paddy Murphy, who owns the Nineteenth Bar on Main Street and Anna’s Café, believes the almost annual occurrence will have a serious effect on tourism promotion in the region.
He says while businesses should be enjoying a successful period of the season, they are instead left picking up the pieces.
The local authority says that the likely cause for the increased levels of bacteria is due to run off in the catchment area caused by excessive levels of rainfall in recent days.
Clare County Council has committed to carrying out increased monitoring and sampling of Lahinch’s water in the interim period.
However, Ben Bennett from Ben’s Surf Clinic in Lahinch is calling for this process to be expedited so local businesses can get back on their feet as soon as possible.
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