Pet restrictions for the summer season come into force today on Donegal’s Blue Flag beaches.
From today, 1st June, dogs are prohibited from Blue Flag areas at 12 of Donegal’s beaches between the hours of 12pm to 7pm.
The restriction is in force daily throughout the bathing season until September 15th each year.
Outside of the restriction times, dog owners are permitted on all areas of the beaches but are required to keep dogs under control or on a leash of fixed length of less than 2 metres.
Assistance or Garda dogs are not included in the restriction and will be permitted at all times.
The Blue Flag beaches where the bye-law will be enforced are Carrickfinn, Culdaff, Tra Beg (Downings), Fintra, Killahoey (Dunfanaghy), Marble Hill, Murvagh, Narin, Rossnowlagh (Belalt Strand), Stroove (White Bay), Portsalon (Warden Stocker Strand) and Bundoran.
On two of the smaller beaches (Bundoran and Stroove) the patrol zone basically covers the majority of the Blue Flag beach so dogs will be prohibited from these locations during Lifeguard hours (12pm to 7pm) over the entire Bathing Season.
Map of blue flag areas on each beach are available at: https://donegal.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/interactivelegend/index.html?appid=31a615d5b02e488ab221a1aaadbad308
Donegal County Council introduced the bye-laws in 2022 to comply with new criteria set out by An Taisce and retain Blue Flag awards at each of the 14 named beaches. The council has made the arrangements to avoid losing Donegal’s Blue Flags while allowing dog owners to continue to enjoy beaches during bathing season.
There are no such restrictions on any of the other many beaches in the county.
