People who intend to use beaches in County Waterford for swimming and recreation this summer will have to pay for a privilage that, up to now, has always been free to locals and visitors alike.
In a shock announcement, released via e-mail yesterday (Monday), a spokesperson for Waterford City and County Council revealed that a range of charges would apply for people using the county’s main beaches this year.
The charges, which do not include parking, will apply from the beginning of May until October at Tramore, Dunmore East, Woodstown, Annestown, Boatstrand, Stradbally and Clonea Strand.
The spokesperson said details of the charges would be given at a later stage but The Munster
Express understands that a fee of €3 per person and €5 per family will apply. There will not be a time limit so the person who goes for a quick swim after work will pay the same as a person who stays all day.
As far as Tramore is concerned, it is understood the charges will not apply to the stretch of beach between the Sandhills and Molly’s T Bay and McCarthy’s Shop. Of course, parking charges will still be in force in all areas.
A source familiar with the plan told this newspaper that temporary fencing with turnstiles would be erected where possible. Some beaches will not have fencing but will be patrolled by Beach Wardens who will have the authority to issue spot-fines if a ‘paid-for’ ticket is not produced.
A resident of Ballymacaw, near Dunmore East, contacted us to say that their village was not included in the plan. “Obviously, we are pleased but we are fearful of being inundated with daytrippers from all over the place seeking to avoid the charges.”
When contacted, a spokesperson for the Council refused to comment until the matter was brought before the elected members at their next meeting.
U are joking how do they expect people to afford that people will go to Duncan on
Omg. What next
April fools right lol
That’s a total disgrace.so wrong
This surely can not be true.ðŸ˜
APRIL FOOL DAY
Ireland is a free country. The beaches have been there since the beginning of time, long before any such thing as a county council.
If Waterford Co Council thinks for one minute that I’m paying to go to a beach , a natural amenity,they have something else coming.
Do not pay this.
3 euro this year
5 euro next year
10 euro the following year, and so on.
Absolutely disgusting to to people of ireland
I only hope that this extra money will go to cleaning those beaches, add some necessary public bins and forbidding bbq burning coals being let on the beaches with a light layer if sand to cover. I never go to clonea beach since my grandson got his feet burnt by such bbq
My god what next no need this it will cause trouble
Why
April Fool 🤣 Margaret
If we are not already paying enough taxes on everything now they want to charge us to go for a swim with our kids it’s an absolute disgrace they should be ashamed of themselves they would really want to think this through people go through the beach because a lot of people can not afford to go any where else this country is gone to the dogs so so sad
I for one will not be paying to go to any beach in Waterford or any other county for that matter its bad enough having to pay for parking it will get rid of all the holiday makers in Tramore and Dunmore etc.
absolutely criminal is there anything they won’t try squeeze money from people it’s a joke absolutely scum to try such a thing
Shocking, disgusted at Waterford Council for screwing money out of people. Don’t know anywhere in the world where people have to pay to go.on the beach
April 1st
Is this an April fool
Is this real?
They obviously know Eamon Ryan if you have to pay for the beach u might stay at home and not use ur car. 😉
It would be far more beneficial if the council did something about the toilets in Tramore. They’re an absolute disgrace and have been for a number of years. Shame on them for charging to enter a public beach.
Do I win the prize?
April Fool.
I do hope this is just a very poor April fools Day ‘joke.’
At present the toilet facilities in Clonea strand Castle side are unacceptable, very unhygienic and hours of opening I never know.The facilities for dogs is even better but their toilet bins always overflowing .It would be greatly appreciated if the toilets were made user friendly .Presently what are people using esp those doing the ring walk.???
That is actually ridiculous. The beach should be free for all to use. It’s a god made thing. Who gives anyone the right to charge another for walking or swimming in the sea or the beach. More of the money greedy and hungry individuals. We pay enough on taxes and charges. What will they be charging for next? The air we breath? A joke is all that is. That stops people on low incomes or big families from enjoying a free day out. This need to STOP and needs to STOP NOW. The cut of some of the beaches with raw sewage going into some and others full of rocks and stones. Council be better putting effort into fixing those instead of screwing people out of even more money
How dare they charge people for using the beaches the council do not own… They belong to the Irish people..Are they really that out of touch and that greedy ?
1st of April
This is a disgrace have been going to Co waterford for years.
Absolutely a disgraceful decision
The council does not own the beaches
Totalitarian and draconian
A small bit of common sense must prevail everyone should be up in arms over this
If they want to create revenue, then stop penalizing the taxpayers who already payed their dues to society and for the payment of public amenities, and enforce fines the culprits of littering and not picking up dog ficus, then they will make plenty of revenue while keeping public beaches clean and healthy. But no, of course that hasn’t been implemented because it’s too logical for the council.
If charges come to enter beaches and the litter and dog control is not addressed, I will be furious and will make my case stronger.
This really shouldn’t happen or be allowed.
A protest is definitely called for to stop this ludicrous idea progressing.
Just ridiculous what will they think of next
Since when does the council own the water. We use Tramore every year. We come from Kerry. With holiday costs, no guarantee of good weather, outrageous food prices, parking prices etc We won’t be bothering with you anymore. Portugal it is for us now. Its a lot cheaper so stuff your added costs. My parents are doing the same but they are doing Portugal and Spain on two separate months which has cost less than 10 days in Ireland. Never again in Ireland
This is a complete joke. What gives them the right to charge people into a public beach. Parking charge is one thing, but to stoop this low and charge people is a farce. How do they think they will police this if someone decides not to pay. Do they really think someone will volunteer their info for the purposes of getting fined. I definitely know where I will be telling them where to go. Greed, greed, greed.
Words fail me. Has greed and avarice reached this level among our public representatives? In one respect such a suggestion is welcome. It is time that the people of Ireland stood up to the crazy and total lack of responsibility and accountability, which our politicians blatantly display. Perhaps, just perhaps people will wake up to what’s going on all around them.
If any citizen of Waterford, or any other county is foolish enough to subscribe to such a charge, I say they deserve the public representatives we have.