WATER SAFETY
Funding was provided by the County Council in 2016 to ensure the provision of the Water Safety programme, including the employment of two teams of lifeguards on a daily basis at the very popular bathing areas located on the River Barrow at Bagenalstown and Clashganna Borris. Their two month period of employment commenced on 25th June coincided with the start of a period of favourable weather conditions during which the lifeguarding service completed a rescue and performed risk management interventions which prevented accidental drownings and potentially hazardous aquatic situations, involving all age groups, developing.
The quays at St. Mullins and Tinnahinch remain a popular centre for fishing, boat berthing and a variety of social and recreational activities. Access to the popular bathing areas is mostly on the riverside/canal towpath. During 2016 Inland Waterways developed a proposal for the development of part or whole of the River Barrow towpath as a cycling lane throughout the county. A planning application for such a proposal is due to be submitted to the local authority in 2017.
Clashganna and St. Mullins are serviced with suitable car parking and nearby refreshment facilities, are continuing to experience a very significant presence of camping, hiking and commercially orientated water based adventure activities training. Clashganna is an official venue for canoe/kayaking competitions and training events also organized by the Irish Canoe Union. The intensity of use by local and non local commercial interests at this location is increasing pressure on existing access and parking facilities. While the County does not yet have a significant "dependent on water" business population the existence of passenger/leisure craft and marine infrastructure concurrent with upgraded restaurant/social venues in close proximity to the navigable River Barrow in the County makes the river an increasingly significant leisure/tourism activity asset, especially so during favourable weather conditions.
The Water Safety Development Officers annual conference was held in Kilkenny city in April 2016. Issues discussed at the conference included "The science of Beach Lifeguarding", "Waterways and heritage", storage and securing of emergency live saving equipment and the means of raising alarms when such equipment is disturbed.
Efforts to minimise the risk of accidental drowning are by necessity, a team effort. During the year unusual climatic conditions occasionally transformed tranquil rivers in the county into torrents, representing a threat to life and property. It is during such events that the co-ordinated efforts of the Councils area offices, technical and outdoor staff and an appropriately equipped and trained Civil Defence unit are most effective. The Garda Authorities operate the Riverwatch Scheme in an effort to control the risk of anti-social behavior on or adjacent to the River Barrow in the county and the Councils lifeguarding service cooperates closely with the Gardai in this regard.
Aware that most drownings occur in inland counties the Council will continue to implement Irish Water Safety policy on managing risk at its popular bathing areas. Complementary to these efforts the County Water Safety Committee will continue to deliver the water safety message through providing a self-financed programme of activities including a broad spectrum of specialist training and swimming/rescue skills development courses, for all age groups, during the current year.
The quays at St. Mullins and Tinnahinch remain a popular centre for fishing, boat berthing and a variety of social and recreational activities. Access to the popular bathing areas is mostly on the riverside/canal towpath. During 2016 Inland Waterways developed a proposal for the development of part or whole of the River Barrow towpath as a cycling lane throughout the county. A planning application for such a proposal is due to be submitted to the local authority in 2017.
Clashganna and St. Mullins are serviced with suitable car parking and nearby refreshment facilities, are continuing to experience a very significant presence of camping, hiking and commercially orientated water based adventure activities training. Clashganna is an official venue for canoe/kayaking competitions and training events also organized by the Irish Canoe Union. The intensity of use by local and non local commercial interests at this location is increasing pressure on existing access and parking facilities. While the County does not yet have a significant "dependent on water" business population the existence of passenger/leisure craft and marine infrastructure concurrent with upgraded restaurant/social venues in close proximity to the navigable River Barrow in the County makes the river an increasingly significant leisure/tourism activity asset, especially so during favourable weather conditions.
The Water Safety Development Officers annual conference was held in Kilkenny city in April 2016. Issues discussed at the conference included "The science of Beach Lifeguarding", "Waterways and heritage", storage and securing of emergency live saving equipment and the means of raising alarms when such equipment is disturbed.
Efforts to minimise the risk of accidental drowning are by necessity, a team effort. During the year unusual climatic conditions occasionally transformed tranquil rivers in the county into torrents, representing a threat to life and property. It is during such events that the co-ordinated efforts of the Councils area offices, technical and outdoor staff and an appropriately equipped and trained Civil Defence unit are most effective. The Garda Authorities operate the Riverwatch Scheme in an effort to control the risk of anti-social behavior on or adjacent to the River Barrow in the county and the Councils lifeguarding service cooperates closely with the Gardai in this regard.
Aware that most drownings occur in inland counties the Council will continue to implement Irish Water Safety policy on managing risk at its popular bathing areas. Complementary to these efforts the County Water Safety Committee will continue to deliver the water safety message through providing a self-financed programme of activities including a broad spectrum of specialist training and swimming/rescue skills development courses, for all age groups, during the current year.
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Carlow County Council, Athy Road, Carlow. R93 E7R7 Tel. +353 59 9170300. |