Bathing water quality across Fingal has seen a substantial improvement over the last year, according to the newest report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Nationally, the EPA revealed that 98% of bathing waters met or outperformed minimum standards in 2025, highlighting the ongoing resilience of the country's coastal waters.

Fingal contains 10 designated bathing locations, half of which are now secure in the Excellent classification following status upgrades for both Sutton and Skerries. Furthermore, Portrane and Loughshinny have advanced to a Good rating, joining Rush South Beach. A notable milestone highlighted in the report is the improvement at Front Strand in Balbriggan, which has progressed to Sufficient status after facing a series of difficult years.

The findings reflect consistent advancements in local water quality management, validating the impact of targeted investments, monitoring regimes, and collaborative efforts to protect coastal areas. Attention is now turning toward maintaining this momentum, with the objective of elevating more beaches to the Excellent tier while securing the highest standards of water safety. Mayor of Fingal, Cllr Tom O'Leary stated: "The fact that Fingal no longer has beaches classified as Poor reflects a huge amount of work, commitment and collaboration. With the majority of our beaches now rated Excellent or Good, this is something we can all take pride in as we continue to protect and enhance these valuable public amenities. Our ambition is clear – we want to see every beach in Fingal reach Excellent status, and we will continue to invest and work towards achieving that goal."

David Storey, Director of Environment at Fingal County Council, commented: "The EPA report highlights that climate change and increasingly intense rainfall are now key challenges for bathing water quality. In Fingal, where the majority of our beaches are now classified as Excellent or Good and are a valued amenity for communities and visitors alike, this underlines the need for ongoing vigilance and sustained investment to protect and maintain these high standards and ensure these natural assets remain safe and enjoyable for all."

Ahead of the summer season, Fingal County Council has issued a strong reminder to the public that dog fouling and littering are unacceptable practices that directly degrade water quality and threaten public health. The local authority emphasised that disposing of rubbish responsibly and picking up after pets are essential duties rather than optional behaviours.

Beachgoers and swimmers are encouraged to consult www.beaches.ie to review the most up-to-date water quality updates before heading to local swimming sites.

The 2025 bathing water quality classifications for Fingal are:

• Excellent: Balcarrick Beach, Donabate; Velvet Strand, Portmarnock; North Beach, Rush; South Beach, Skerries; Burrow Beach, Sutton

• Good: Loughshinny Beach; Brook Beach, Portrane; South Beach, Rush

• Sufficient: Front Strand, Balbriggan; Claremont Beach, Howth