Lifeguard Service

• Other relevant links
• Overview
• Amenities & Leisure Forms & Downloads
• Battle Of Aughrim Centre
• Dunlo Recreational Park,Ballinasloe
• Lifeguard Service
• Playgrounds
• Rinville Park,Oranmore
• Summer Ready 2024

County Galway has an impressive coastline with many EU Blue Flag Standard lakeshore and coastal swimming areas. Galway County Council promotes Water Safety, through its participation in the County Committee for Water Safety and the provision of Lifeguards to a number of beaches and outdoor swimming areas in the June to September season.‌

Galway County Council administers Lifeguard Services on behalf of both Galway County and City Councils and the service is funded by both Councils. Each year a panel of highly qualified Lifeguards is put in place. A minimum of two Lifeguards provide services at designated bathing areas in accordance with standards set out by the International Life Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE). In Galway City and County there are fourteen beaches and two lakes where Lifeguards are employed during the Summer Season and all Blue Flag beaches are assigned Lifeguards. Blue Flags are awarded to bathing areas which meet excellent water quality standards and provide various amenities, including lifeguards and toilet facilities. Green Coast Flags are awarded to rural bathing areas which meet excellent water quality standards and have good quality protected.

Beaches including beach wheelchairs

Further Information Contact:

Recreation and Amenity (Lifeguard Services) Corporate Services,
Galway County Council

Corporate Services (091) 509225 

Further information on Blue Flag Beaches and Green Coast Awards and bathing water quality in County Galway is available at 
http://www.bathingwater.ie

Water Safety

Tips for Safe Swimming

• Always try and swim on beaches or at locations where lifeguards are on duty. Swim with others, never alone.
• Don’t swim just after eating
• Never swim in the dark or when you or hot or tired
• Avoid swimming in strange places
• Never swim out after drifting objects
• Don’t stay in the water too long
• Don’t swim out to sea
• Swim parallel and close to the shore
• Obey lifeguards and swim between lifeguard flags
• Never use inflatable toys
• Pay attention to signs on the beach
• Never bully others or make them take risks
• Learn to use equipment before trying it out
• Learn basic life support
• Those going sailing or using other water craft must always wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid.

The County Committee of Irish Water Safety holds water safety weeks at up to eleven locations in the summer including ,Inis Mór, Inis Óirr and Inis Maan and at Oughterard, Cor na mona, An Cheathrú Rua, Portumna, Loughrea and Salthill beaches.

Courses are held at Leisureland, Galway on Sunday mornings from October to June. For further information on water safety visit Irish Water Safety http://www.iws.ie/

BEACHES (Including Beach Wheelchairs)
	LOCATION				PERIOD OF AVAILABILITY
	KINVARA				1ST June – 31st August     11 AM - 7 PM  June & Sept (Weekends Only)
	CNOC/INDREABHÁN				1ST June – 31st August     11 AM - 7 PM  June & Sept (Weekends Only)