Real life heroes.

Cork County Council’s lifeguards, who were stationed across Cork’s beaches throughout this summer’s bathing season, responded to no fewer than 984 incidents.

Among these incidents were 940 instances of first aid administered, as well as 23 children reunited with their parents. Perhaps most notably, 21 individuals were rescued from the water by Cork lifeguards this summer.

Mayor of the County of Cork Gillian Coughlan praised the hard work of Cork’s lifeguards, saying: “Our beautiful beaches were very much in demand this Summer with many people holidaying at home.

“I would like to thank all beachgoers who were very respectful to each other and to our lifeguard teams. The weather may have been mixed but our beaches were always a great place to experience the outdoors.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council Tim Lucey echoed these sentiments, saying: “The figures for 2021 are a testament to the excellent work carried out by our Beach Lifeguard Service and an indication of the number of serious incidents which are ultimately averted.

“Lifeguarding is about prevention and an important part of the role is creating awareness around water safety to ensure everyone has an enjoyable day at the beach.”

Cork County Council lifeguards ceased operations for the year on September 12th, which means those who visit the coast must be extra vigilant for the remainder of the year.

Cork County Council has encouraged members of the public to stay safe if they are visiting the coast this Autumn and Winter. The advice is to take a method of communication with you, tell someone where you are going and what time you are expected back. If you see someone in difficulty in or near the water, dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard.