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Beaches & Water Quality

Beach information, bathing-water quality, coastal conditions, environmental monitoring and practical updates for communities and visitors around Ireland.

IRELAND NEWSPAPERIndependent editorial desk
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CLARE • IDENTIFIED BEACH

Spanish Point

Clare County Council

Excellent
SWIMMING STATUS TODAY

No active EPA restriction shown

EPA alert data last synced 24 Aug 2026, 03:20.

NO ACTIVE ALERT SHOWN
Can I swim here?No active EPA restriction shownCurrent EPA alert/restriction status
Current restrictionNone shown in current EPA alertsThis is not a guarantee of swimming conditions. Always check local signs, lifeguard instructions and the latest official advice at the beach.
Latest sampleExcellentIndividual sample result only
Last tested10 Aug 2026Latest sample stored from EPA

Current restrictions and beach signage take priority over annual classifications and individual sample results. Conditions can change between samples.

Annual EPA classification · 2025ExcellentLonger-term annual classification
Latest available sampleExcellent10 Aug 2026
E. coli<10Latest sample result
Intestinal enterococci<10Latest sample result
Next monitoring24 Aug 2026EPA schedule where available
Short-term pollution riskYesEPA location profile field

EPA annual assessment

Spanish Point is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Spanish Point has achieved an Excellent Water Quality rating for the four consecutive years 2022 to 2025. Annual water quality ratings are generally calculated using monitoring results over a four-year period and are assessed against stringent bacterial limits to protect bather health.

Annual water quality history

2025Excellent
2024Excellent
2023Excellent
2022Excellent

Recent water samples

DateSample statusE. coliIntestinal enterococci
10 Aug 2026Excellent<10<10
20 Jul 2026Excellent<10<10
13 Jul 2026Excellent<10<10
6 Jul 2026Good25960
22 Jun 2026Excellent1010
8 Jun 2026Excellent14520
2 Jun 2026Excellent7510
25 May 2026Excellent<10<10

Facilities & access

Blue FlagYes
Green CoastNo
LifeguardYes
First aidYes
LifebuoyYes
ToiletsYes
ParkingYes
AccessibleYes
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
Information boardYes
Litter binYes
RecyclingNo
Natural sensitive areaYes

About this bathing water

Spanish Point lies to the west of Milltown Malbay on the road from Quilty to Lahinch. It is an extensive stretch of sandy beach which forms a straight face onto the open Atlantic sea at Mal Bay. The long spine of rocks which stick out into the sea and the rocky shoreline at the northern end of the strand are very interesting places to observe a variety of plants and animals. There is a small variety of shellfish and marine vegetation. Activities include swimming and surfing. Motorised watercraft, surfing and the use of canoes and kayaks is prohibited in close proximity to swimmers. Beach bye-laws are in place with horse riding and dogs prohibited between 11am and 6pm during the summer season.