Bathing restrictions have been placed on three popular beaches on the Beara Peninsula, Co Cork.
Cork County Council placed bathing restriction notices at Pallas Strand in Eyeries, Trahallan in Castletownbere and Traverra at Urhan, just outside Eyeries.
Water quality tests carried out on Tuesday revealed elevated levels of bacteria in the water resulting in a bathing restriction notice from the Health Service Executive (HSE).
The likely cause, according to the council, is run off from the surrounding hinterland and waste water infrastructure due to heavy rain.
“It’s unfortunate as this is the time of year that people want to enjoy themselves in the water. Cork County Council are doing daily checks out there to monitor for any improvements.
"Whatever the issue is, until it's resolved, it's not safe for people to swim in these places," said Independent west Cork Cllr Michael Collins.