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KERRY • IDENTIFIED BEACH

Kells

Kerry County Council

Excellent
SWIMMING STATUS TODAY

No active EPA restriction shown

EPA alert data last synced 19 Oct 2026, 13:50.

NO ACTIVE ALERT SHOWN
Can I swim here?No active EPA restriction shownCurrent EPA alert/restriction status
Current restrictionNone shown in current EPA alertsThis is not a guarantee of swimming conditions. Always check local signs, lifeguard instructions and the latest official advice at the beach.
Latest sampleExcellentIndividual sample result only
Last tested7 Sep 2026Latest sample stored from EPA

Current restrictions and beach signage take priority over annual classifications and individual sample results. Conditions can change between samples.

Annual EPA classification · 2025ExcellentLonger-term annual classification
Latest available sampleExcellent7 Sep 2026
E. coli<10Latest sample result
Intestinal enterococci<1Latest sample result
Next monitoring—EPA schedule where available
Short-term pollution riskYesEPA location profile field

EPA annual assessment

Kells is classified as achieving Excellent Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Kells has achieved an Excellent Water Quality rating for the four consecutive years 2022 to 2025. Annual water quality ratings are generally calculated using monitoring results over a four-year period and are assessed against stringent bacterial limits to protect bather health.

Annual water quality history

2025Excellent
2024Excellent
2023Excellent
2022Excellent

Recent water samples

DateSample statusE. coliIntestinal enterococci
7 Sep 2026Excellent<10<1
24 Aug 2026Excellent<102
17 Aug 2026Excellent<103
10 Aug 2026Excellent<10<1
4 Aug 2026Excellent1017
27 Jul 2026Excellent<101
20 Jul 2026Excellent103
13 Jul 2026Excellent10<1
6 Jul 2026Excellent<10<1
29 Jun 2026Excellent<10<1
22 Jun 2026Excellent101
15 Jun 2026Excellent<101

Facilities & access

Blue FlagYes
Green CoastNo
LifeguardNo
First aidYes
LifebuoyYes
ToiletsYes
ParkingYes
AccessibleYes
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
Information boardYes
Litter binYes
RecyclingYes
Natural sensitive areaYes

About this bathing water

Kells Beach is a small sandy cove located in a little inlet in a predominantly rocky shoreline. The beach is largely sheltered from Atlantic wave action. The greater catchment is dominated by agriculture, with a mix of grassland and woodland. The coastal headlands adjacent to Kells Beach are designated as Special Protection Area. The hilly region to the southwest of Kells is designated as Special Area of Conservation. Activities include swimming and water sports. The identified bathing area is approximately 100 m wide.

Official information

Managed by Kerry County Council.

Open EPA beach profile