Dog owners are being urged to comply with rules that restrict dogs from a number of north Dublin beaches this summer.
Fingal County Council has confirmed that dogs and horses will not be allowed on Portmarnock, Donabate and Rush South beaches between 11am and 7pm during the bathing season, which runs from June 1 to September 15, 2022.
The exception will be for guide dogs and assistance dogs.
Read more: Free naked yoga taking place on Dublin beach this weekend
The local authority said the rule has always applied to its Blue Flag beaches in order to meet strict international standards for water quality.
However, the ban at the three popular swimming spots has been slammed by some locals.
Sonia McHugh from the Fingal Dog Owners Group said dogs used to be permitted on the beaches while on a lead.
She told Newstalk: "We think everybody should be picking up after themselves, but basically it comes down to lack of enforcement, and instead of the council dealing with the issue at hand and fining people appropriately, they are just putting down a blanket ban on all dog owners."
Fingal County Council said the ban is about maintaining water quality, and that just one piece of dog poo can contaminate an area the size of a tennis court.
Here is a full list of beaches where dogs are not allowed off-lead:
Portmarnock
Designated as a Blue Flag beach, the sandy beach in Portmarnock prohibits dogs being off-lead in bathing areas from June 1 to September 15, 2022.
Donabate
Similarly to Portmarnock, the ever popular beach in Donabate is also in the running for a Blue Flag and it bans dogs from being off lead from June 1 to September 15.
Rush
Rush South beach is 2.4km long and has a well-established dune system. Like Portmarnock and Donabate, dogs are banned from being off-lead at Rush South Beach between June 1 and September 15. Owners are also required to remove dog poo immediately.
Dollymount Strand
Dollymount Strand on Bull Island is a massive beach stretching for an impressive 5km. Dogs must be kept on lead and all droppings removed when visiting the beach.
Killiney
At Killiney beach, dogs are not allowed off-lead in lifeguard patrolled bathing areas between 10am and 7pm during the summer bathing season. Dogs are allowed off-lead in non-designated areas but must be controlled between 7pm and 10am all year round.
Seapoint
Dogs are not allowed off-lead near the bathing areas on the beach at Seapoint at any time of the year.
Bray Beach
Bray beach is very popular with tourists all year round, and it is also a Blue Flag designated beach. While considered a dog friendly beach, dogs are required to be on a leash during the summer months.
Read more: The stunning hidden beach found on Dublin's most beautiful walk
Read more: Best Dublin beaches: Most stunning seaside spots around the city
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
