Lifeguard may soon be deployed at Kells after surge in numbers visiting beach

KERRY County Council (KCC) is to consider providing a lifeguard service for Kells beach next summer, amid growing visitor numbers.

Survey results provided by Irish Water to Kerry County Council show that the number of people using the beach has increased in recent years.

Prior to that, the number of people visiting Kells beach was considered small and the location was Kerry’s only Blue Flag beach without a lifeguard service.

Kerry Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Brendan Griffin said that he had been contacted on this matter by concerned locals and raised the matter with officials at Kerry County Council, who have stated that the beach may now need a lifeguard.

It it is thought that recent development work at Kells Bay House and the success of the Wild Atlantic Way route have contributed to the greater recent footfall at the south Kerry beach.

Kerry County Council Director of Services John Breen has said that he will arrange for an updated risk assessment to be carried out at the beach. The number of people using the beach will also be monitored until the end of this summer season. Following these assessments, the local authority will consider the provision of a lifeguard for the 2018 summer season.

Minister Griffin thanked Kerry County Council for giving the matter consideration, al though he added that he would have preferred to have seen a lifeguard provided at the location for this summer.

“This is a beautiful blue flag beach in a very popular location in South Kerry,” he said. “It’s a particularly popular location for families with young children, and I’m calling on Kerry County Council to make every effort to ensue that Kells will have a lifeguard service in future.”