Beach · County Dublin
Shelley Banks
ParkingWheelchair accessDogs on a lead
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 8 September 2026, was sufficient. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Shelly Banks beach is located at the end of Southbank Road.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 20 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | — | 20 | 17 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 2024 | — | 20 | 14 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2023 | — | 20 | 11 | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| 2022 | — | 20 | 13 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 2021 | — | 20 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 20 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | — | 23 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | No | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | Car Park adjacent to the beach. Ramp down onto the beach. |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | No | |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | No | |
| Recycling | No |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a lead
Latest sample (2026-09-08): E. coli 703, intestinal enterococci 105 (cfu/100 ml).
Outdoors in County Dublin this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, light winds, up to 13°C
- Fri, 9 Oct14° / 8°Drizzle
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 7°Scattered clouds
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 13°Scattered clouds
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 · 3.4 km awaySt Anne's Park and Rose GardensGardenClontarfThe former home of the Guinness family, St Anne's Estate provides extensive public parklands and rose gardens just outside Dublin city centre. Covering 112 hectares, the park provides playing pitches, golf, tennis courts, a Saturday market, playground, café and more. It is also very close to Dollymount Strand, a coastal bird sanctuary.
Nature spot · 3.6 km awayBlackrock ParkParkBlackrockBlackrock Park is a pleasant green area overlooking Dublin Bay, in Blackrock, County Dublin, and boasts a well equipped children's playground, cycle path, sports area, picnic area, gardens and trees.