Beach · County Galway
Trá na bhForbacha, Na Forbacha
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 14 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Trá na bhForbacha is a sandy beach and can be subject to very strong wave action and currents. The beach supports a wide variety of shellfish, birds, animals and plants. Seals and otters may be spotted along the coastline. Trá na bhForbacha is a proposed Natural Heritage Area. Activities include swimming, bathing and water sports.
Good (2025): A good standard over four years.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Good | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Excellent | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | No | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | No | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | No | |
| Beach wheelchair | No | |
| Public transport | No | |
| First aid | No | |
| Lifebuoy | Yes | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | No |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a lead
- No cars on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-14): E. coli 63, intestinal enterococci 7 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Galway this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 15°C
Status Yellow - Rain warning for Galway, Leitrim, Mayo, Sligo
From Thu, 8 Oct, 09:00 until Fri, 9 Oct, 04:00
Heavy spells of rain.
Be aware of potential impacts:
- Difficult travelling conditions
- Localised flooding possible
Issued by Met Éireann · met.ie/warnings
- Fri, 9 Oct13° / 9°Scattered clouds
- Sat, 10 Oct13° / 7°Sun with light cloud
- Sun, 11 Oct15° / 14°Sun with light cloud
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 · 9.3 km awayCircle of Life National Organ Donor Commemorative GardenGardenGalway CityCircle of Life is Ireland's National Organ Donor commemorative garden and is Galway's International Heritage Garden. Its welcoming design, and its richness of imagery and symbolism offer visitors an inspirational and memorable experience.
Nature spot · Co. Clare · 13 km awayNa LeacachaFlaggy ShoreBeachNewquayFeast your eyes on the limestone pavements, historical fossils and views of Aughinish Island and the wider Atlantic from the peacefully secluded beach of Flaggy Shore.