Swimming group still seeking changing hut
The women of the ‘Snamhiní’ sea-swimming group thought better of celebrating Nollaig na mBan last Saturday, due to choppy conditions.
The group continues to campaign for the return of a lifeguard hut which they previously had the use of for changing their clothes during the winter months.
Members of Bray Municipal District heard in November that the reason the hut has not been forthcoming is that Irish Water Safety is assessing the beach following a near-drowning late last summer.
The council had provided the hut for use by the swimmers for two winters.
‘Our water safety officer advised that signs go up forbidding swimming at that end of the beach,’ said engineer Liam Bourke at the Municipal District meeting. The council asked Irish Water Safety to assess the beach. They incorrectly assessed the blue flag section and not the section of the beach in question.
‘We can’t facilitate swimming there until we can know where we can safely put the hut and what markings we need to put in place. We should have had a report by now but we just don’t have it. The hut will be provided, but it’s a question of where,’ said Mr Bourke.
Group members swim on Bray seafront every morning and use the hut for changing during the winter months. Audrey Collins outside the hut, which was used by local swimmers for changing their clothes, in January of this year.