Unknown PlanetPress24 section: beaches-water-quality
← Back to all beaches
GALWAY • IDENTIFIED BEACH

Trá na bhForbacha, Na Forbacha

Galway County Council

Good
SWIMMING STATUS TODAY

No active EPA restriction shown

EPA alert data last synced 19 Oct 2026, 13:36.

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 tested14 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 · 2025GoodLonger-term annual classification
Latest available sampleExcellent14 Sep 2026
E. coli63Latest sample result
Intestinal enterococci7Latest sample result
Next monitoring—EPA schedule where available
Short-term pollution riskYesEPA location profile field

EPA annual assessment

Trá na bhForbacha, Na Forbacha is classified as achieving Good Water Quality in 2025 based on the assessment of bacteriological results for the period 2022 to 2025. Trá na bhForbacha, Na Forbacha achieved an Excellent Water Quality rating in 2024, 2023 and 2022. 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

2025Good
2024Excellent
2023Excellent
2022Excellent

Recent water samples

DateSample statusE. coliIntestinal enterococci
14 Sep 2026Excellent637
24 Aug 2026Excellent<10<2
10 Aug 2026Excellent20<2
27 Jul 2026Excellent5223
6 Jul 2026Excellent419
22 Jun 2026Excellent313
2 Jun 2026Excellent7426
25 May 2026Excellent<103

Facilities & access

Blue FlagNo
Green CoastNo
LifeguardNo
First aidNo
LifebuoyYes
ToiletsNo
ParkingYes
AccessibleNo
Beach wheelchairNo
Public transportNo
Information boardYes
Litter binYes
RecyclingNo
Natural sensitive areaYes

About this bathing water

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.

Official information

Managed by Galway County Council.

Open EPA beach profile