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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.

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GALWAY • IDENTIFIED BEACH

Aillebrack/Silverhill Beach

Galway 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<2Latest sample result
Next monitoring7 Sep 2026EPA schedule where available
Short-term pollution riskYesEPA location profile field

EPA annual assessment

Aillebrack/Silverhill Beach is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Aillebrack/Silverhill Beach achieved and Excellent Water Quality rating in 2024 and 2023. Aillebrack/Silverhill Beach was newly 'identified' in 2021 as a beach for monitoring, management, assessment and reporting under the requirements of the 2008 Bathing Water Quality Regulations. It was not possible to assign an annual water quality rating/classification in 2022 because the minimum number of required samples (at least 16) were not available to calculate the classification. Annual water quality ratings are generally calculated using monitoring results over a four-year period (or for less years in certain circumstances) and are assessed against stringent bacterial limits to protect bather health.

Annual water quality history

2025Excellent
2024Excellent
2023Excellent
2022Not classified

Recent water samples

DateSample statusE. coliIntestinal enterococci
10 Aug 2026Excellent<10<2
13 Jul 2026Excellent<101
15 Jun 2026Excellent<101
27 May 2026Excellent<101

Facilities & access

Blue FlagNo
Green CoastYes
LifeguardNo
First aidNo
LifebuoyYes
ToiletsNo
ParkingNo
AccessibleNo
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
Information boardYes
Litter binNo
RecyclingNo
Natural sensitive areaNo

About this bathing water

Aillebrack/Silverhill is a beautiful sandy beach located on the Ballyconneely Peninsula in County Galway. The beach is located approximately 5 km west of the village of Ballyconneely and is accessed by a local road L1106. The area consists of several sandy strands and rocky headlands and its main aspect is to the south. The longest stretch of strand is approximately 340m. A golf course is located to the north and a caravan and camping site is located to the west. It has been awarded a Green Coast Award for many years in recognition of its excellent water quality and community involvement in the management of the area.