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Function of Limerick County Council
Limerick County Council’s Water safety function is concerned with the prevention of loss of life through drowning in County Limerick. The service is managed by the Council’s Water Safety Development Officer, John Considine, who is an administrative officer in the Environment Section, County Hall. At first glance, County Limerick might not appear to be an area with significant open water risks, however the Council is responsible for thirty-seven miles of the southern shore of the Shannon, from Montpelier to Tarbert, four major inland rivers, the Mulcair, the Maigue, the Deel and the Feale, numerous lakes, including Lough Gur, Bleach Lough, Dromore Lough and Dohyle Lough, and several public swimming pools and bathing areas.
Lifebelts
The Council provides and maintains lifebelts and rescue ropes at over fifty locations in County Limerick. These are made available so that a member of the public will hopefully be in a position to effect a non-contact rescue of a person in difficulty in the water, and have on occasion been successfully used for this purpose. It is regrettable that lifebelts are also frequently used thoughtlessly as toys or vandalised, resulting in damage or loss of the equipment with increased risk to the public. The Council welcomes information regarding missing, damaged or defective lifebelts, which can be reported at any of our offices for early attention.
Lifeguards
Limerick County Council employs seasonal lifeguards at Glin Pier and Kilteery Pier, reflecting the growing popularity of these bathing areas. The lifeguards work shifts in time with the high tides, so that cover is available while water is deep enough for bathing. A pier attendant is employed to keep the piers in good condition and to assist the lifeguards. The lifeguards maintain a radio watch on marine channel 16 and will respond to ‘Glin Lifeguard’ and ‘Kilteery Lifeguard’. A permanent lifeguard hut with all appropriate equipment is provided at Glin, and a hut is also located seasonally at Kilteery.
Irish Water Safety Association
Limerick County Council contributes financially to the Irish Water Safety Association, which is the statutory body having overall responsibility for water safety in Ireland. Classes in swimming and lifesaving are run in pools and open water venues in County Limerick by the Irish Water Safety Association, which has a County Limerick Area Committee (tel. 061 39 32 04). DO NOT use this number for calls in relation to drinking water quality - only for enquiries in relation to lifesaving and swimming classes.
Contact Details
Irish Water Safety- www.iws.ie
mailto: wsdo@limerickcoco.ie
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