Beach · County Waterford
Counsellors' Strand, Dunmore East
Can I swim here? Outside the bathing season
The bathing season runs from 1 June to 15 September. Outside it the water is not tested weekly and lifeguards are not on duty. The last sample, on 7 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Counsellors Strand is a sandy beach with a gentle slope, set within a large steep sided cove. The cove surrounding the beach consists of striking red sandstone cliffs and geological features, such as folding, can be seen in the surrounding cliffs. The cliffs support a variety of seabirds not least being the colony of kittiwakes which nest along the face of the cliffs. Above the beach and cove there is a grassed area suitable for picnics and viewing. The designated bathing area is approximately 100 metres long and 75 metres wide (at low tide). Activities include swimming, bodyboarding and kayaking. An adventure centre is located at the harbour offering a variety of water sports and land based activities such as rock-climbing.
Good (2025): A good standard over four years.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Good | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | Good | 9 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2022 | Good | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021 | — | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 9 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | No | |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | Yes | Public buses |
| First aid | Yes | At lifeguard station |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | Yes |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs are not allowedNo dogs allowed between 11am to 7pm, June, July and August
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-07): E. coli 31, intestinal enterococci 31 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Waterford this week
Best day outdoors: Sat, 10 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 8°Medium rain showers
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 7°Sun with light cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct14° / 14°Light rain
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Beaches & bathing waters
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 11 km awayLafcadio Hearn Japanese GardensGardenTramoreNestled in the picturesque seaside town of Tramore in County Waterford, the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens are a captivating tribute to Irish writer Patrick Lafcadio Hearn, celebrated as Japan’s most famous Irishman. These beautifully crafted gardens trace the remarkable journey and legacy of Hearn through a series of enchanting, themed landscapes.
Nature spot · 13 km awayWaterford Nature ParkParkWaterford CityWaterford Nature Park is an oasis of approximately 150 acres, located near Waterford City, in County Waterford. There are a number of walking trails available, suitable for all levels of fitness.