LIFEGUARDS have been placed on duty across Clare beaches ahead of scheduled following a series of rescues by local surfers in North and West Clare this week.
Shannon based Rescue 115 was tasked to Lahinch along with the Doolin unit of the Irish Coast Guard on Tuesday evening after a female swimmer was reported at having got into difficulty.
Three local surfers managed to bring the swimmer safely to shore where emergency services were on hand and ensured she was airlifted by helicopter to University Hospital Galway.
Clare County Council’s planned lifeguard service does not include the final week of May and over the course of Monday and Tuesday amid the record hot weather spells for the month and increase in visitors to the coastal parts of the county, local surfers carried out rescues where needed in locations including Spanish Point.
Clare County Council have since moved to bring in an emergency crew to cover lifeguarding duties ahead of schedule due to a swell in the volume of people at the beach during the fine spell.
In a statement to The Clare Echo, a spokesperson for the Council said “the beach was not lifeguarded [on Tuesday] 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 arranged for lifeguard cover at Lahinch and Whitestrand Miltown Malbay for Wednesday 27th, Thursday 28th and Friday 29th considering the current heatwave and expected visitor numbers at these locations. These are in place from today (Wednesday)”.
Fifty four lifeguards will be employed across Co Clare for the season. “The availability of lifeguards is a major factor in providing the lifeguard service. Our lifeguards are typically drawn from a student cohort who are only available for the summer months”.
The Council spokesperson added, “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.
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.
