Beaches and the quality of bathing waters in Ireland is continuing to improve, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
EPA director Dr Micheál Lehane said local authorities must remain vigilant to ensure public health was protected and continue to identify and fix sources of water pollution.
The EPA's Bathing Water in Ireland 2019 report found that 95% - 140 out of 147 - of bathing waters assessed met or exceeded the minimum required, slightly up on 2018.
Three new bathing waters were classified as excellent or good, while the water at five beaches was classified as poor.
Merrion Strand in Dublin Bay has been declassified after five years at poor status.
Three bathing waters, all in Dublin, were classified for the first time; Forty Foot Bathing Place and White Rock Beach, which were both classified as excellent and Sandycove Beach, which was classified as good.
RTE News has more and reported that under Phase One of the lifting of Covid19 restrictions, beaches along with other outdoor amenities are open.