National: Bathing banned at over 50 beaches and lakes around the country due to pollution fears

Some of Ireland's most popular beaches and waters have been closed due to pollution concerns following recent rainfall. 

Locations such as Sandymount Strand in Dublin, Spanish Point in Co Clare, Ballybunion in Kerry and a host of some of Ireland's most popular stretches of water area all closed to bathing for a number of days, due to possible pollution. 

The official Government site, Beaches.ie, has listed 53 popular spots which are currently deemed to be unsuitable for bathing.

Bathing restrictions are in place in Clare, Cork, Donegal, Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Waterford and Westmeath.

Spanish Point and Kilkee in Co Clare carry a three-day warning "due to possible pollution", as does White Strand at Doonbeg.

A longer six-day bathing ban is in effect at the Forty Foot, Seapoint and Sandycove in south Dublin.

In Cork, swimmers are advised to stay out of the water in Oysterhaven in Co Cork for six days, and also at Youghal Strand, the location of Sunday's tragic deaths in the Ironman sports event in which two competitors lost their lives.

The restriction does not only apply to beaches, with Lilliput at Lough Ennell in Co Westmeath (5 days) and Keeldra in Co Leitrim (60 days) having bathing bans in place. 

The full list of bathing restrictions are available here