07/05/2025
DAERA Identifies Seven New Bathing Water Sites
DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has today announced the formal identification of seven new bathing water sites across Northern Ireland, marking the first expansion of the list since 2018.
The announcement was made during Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s 2025 Beach and Marina Awards on Tuesday.
To be officially identified, potential bathing sites must meet specific criteria, including the number of bathers or users and the availability of facilities. Once identified, DAERA conducts regular water quality testing at these sites throughout the bathing season, which runs from 1st June to mid-September each year. This information is made publicly available on a weekly basis to ensure bathers can make informed decisions.
The Department also collaborates with bathing water operators via its Better Beaches Forum to enhance water quality, beach cleanliness, signage, facilities management, and public information.
Announcing the new sites, Minister Muir said: "Northern Ireland has some of the best beaches and bathing waters in these islands. Up until now, Northern Ireland has had 26 formally identified bathing waters. I am delighted to announce that I am adding a further seven sites to this list before this year’s bathing season."
He added: "To provide confidence to the public, my Department regularly monitors these sites during the bathing season, which runs from 1 June to mid-September. The information is publicly available to allow bathers to make informed choices as to when to swim. My Department also supplies this important information to Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful to be used in the assessment for the prestigious Blue Flag Awards that we are here to celebrate today."
Significantly, one of the seven new sites is Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh, marking Northern Ireland's first formally identified inland bathing water. The Minister highlighted the importance of this, particularly in light of recent issues with blue-green algae.
"The primary focus of the bathing water programme is to provide good public health advice to bathers. This is particularly important for Rea’s Wood with the on-going blue-green algae problem," Minister Muir stated. "As part of the Executive-approved Lough Neagh Action Plan, my Department leads an Inter-Agency group to ensure timely advice is provided for swimmers at this site."
He concluded: "It also demonstrates the need to improve water quality across Northern Ireland so health, environmental, and economic opportunities and benefits can be realised. A need I am committed to delivering."
The announcement was made during Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful’s 2025 Beach and Marina Awards on Tuesday.
To be officially identified, potential bathing sites must meet specific criteria, including the number of bathers or users and the availability of facilities. Once identified, DAERA conducts regular water quality testing at these sites throughout the bathing season, which runs from 1st June to mid-September each year. This information is made publicly available on a weekly basis to ensure bathers can make informed decisions.
The Department also collaborates with bathing water operators via its Better Beaches Forum to enhance water quality, beach cleanliness, signage, facilities management, and public information.
Announcing the new sites, Minister Muir said: "Northern Ireland has some of the best beaches and bathing waters in these islands. Up until now, Northern Ireland has had 26 formally identified bathing waters. I am delighted to announce that I am adding a further seven sites to this list before this year’s bathing season."
Significantly, one of the seven new sites is Rea’s Wood on Lough Neagh, marking Northern Ireland's first formally identified inland bathing water. The Minister highlighted the importance of this, particularly in light of recent issues with blue-green algae.
"The primary focus of the bathing water programme is to provide good public health advice to bathers. This is particularly important for Rea’s Wood with the on-going blue-green algae problem," Minister Muir stated. "As part of the Executive-approved Lough Neagh Action Plan, my Department leads an Inter-Agency group to ensure timely advice is provided for swimmers at this site."
He concluded: "It also demonstrates the need to improve water quality across Northern Ireland so health, environmental, and economic opportunities and benefits can be realised. A need I am committed to delivering."
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04 November 2010
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The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
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The seaside bathing areas in NI are getting better, according to a water quality survey with just two out of 24 sites tested around the coast failing to meet the required European standards.
19 September 2014
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
NI Bathing Waters Reach High Standards
The majority of Northern Ireland bathing waters met the higher guideline of 'excellent' standard for water quality last year, as set by the EU. In 2014, 16 of 23 identified bathing waters met the high standards as laid out in the EU Bathing Water Directive. A further six met the mandatory 'good' standard.
22 November 2023
96% Of NI's Bathing Water Meets Quality Standards
96% of Northern Ireland's bathing waters have met the required standards for water quality, continuing to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July in NI since records began. Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
96% Of NI's Bathing Water Meets Quality Standards
96% of Northern Ireland's bathing waters have met the required standards for water quality, continuing to perform well in 2023 despite it being the wettest July in NI since records began. Twenty-five of the 26 identified bathing waters met the required standards for water quality when measured against the standards for faecal indicator organisms.
17 October 2013
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
NI Beaches Achieve 100% Quality
Every one of Northern Ireland's 23 beaches officially identified as bathing waters have passed the EC Bathing Waters Directive mandatory standard for water quality. The announcement makes 2013 the best year ever for bathing water quality in Northern Ireland, since bathing waters were first designated under the EC Bathing Water Directive in 1994.
16 June 2023
DAERA Identifies Seven New Bathing Water Sites
The Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs has identified seven new official bathing water sites, following the completion of a public review. The new sites are: Brompton Bay, Bangor; Cushendall; Donaghadee Harbour; Drain's Bay, near Larne; Portmuck; Rea's Wood, Antrim, Lough Neagh; Warrenpoint, Sandy Bottom.
DAERA Identifies Seven New Bathing Water Sites
The Department of Agriculture, the Environment and Rural Affairs has identified seven new official bathing water sites, following the completion of a public review. The new sites are: Brompton Bay, Bangor; Cushendall; Donaghadee Harbour; Drain's Bay, near Larne; Portmuck; Rea's Wood, Antrim, Lough Neagh; Warrenpoint, Sandy Bottom.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
