Public advised to avoid swimming at Lisfannon Beach

A 72 hour no swimming warning is in force at Lisfannon Beach near Buncrana, with bathers advised that increased levels of pollution in its waters could lead to illness.

Donegal County Council had advised pregnant women and people with a weakened immune system to avoid swimming at the popular beach, and those with an open cut or wound on their body are similarly advised to stay out of the water.

To reduce the risk of illness, beach users are warned to avoid swallowing or splashing water, and to wash their hands before handling food.

Read More: Donegal's Blue Flag Beaches for 2025

In the prior warning notice, posted at the beach on Tuesday 3 June, the council says higher levels of bacteria are usually short-lived and most bathers are unlikely to experience any illness.

The 72 hour notice remains in force until Friday, and will remain in place until analysis of water samples taken at the beach show there is no contamination from harmful bacteria, such as e.coli and intestinal enterococci.

Discharges from Fahan waste water treatment plant and surface water run off from septic tanks, exacerbated by heavy rainfall - defined as more than 20 millimetres in 24 hours - have been identified as the primary cause of pollution at Lisfannon Beach.

One of the busiest beaches in the county, Lisfannon was a long-standing Blue Flag beach but the incidence of pollution in its waters saw that withdrawn in 2017.

No lifeguards have been assigned to the beach for the summer ahead.