Planning on braving the sea for a swim this weekend?

Cork County Council has issued Prior Warning Notices for six Cork beaches… and the advice is to avoid them until they are given the all-clear by microbiologists next week.

The recent and forecasted heavy rain could potentially affect the quality of the bathing water at Youghal Front Strand, Youghal Claycastle, Garryvoe, Tragumna, Cadogans and Fountainstown beaches.

Bathers are advised to reduce the risk of illness by avoiding swallowing or splashing water and washing hands before handling food.

Anyone who is pregnant or has a weakened immune system or an open cut or wound is especially at risk.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Council said:

“These beaches will be sampled on Monday 12th August 2019 and a full set of microbiological results will be published Wednesday 14th of August 2019 on www.beaches.ie.”

In the meantime, updates on bathing water status will be published on Twitter @Corkcoco.