Tourism body’s ‘don’t swim in Salthill’ blunder

Salthill has what is probably Galway’s most popular beach for swimmers but the people paid to promote it have warned tourists not to swim there.

Fáilte Ireland, the tourism board, in promotional material, has warned potential visitors to the resort that it is not suitable for swimming.

In its online Discoverireland.ie website promoting Salthill, and in particular the famous Promenade, the tourist body said “swimming is not recommended”.

Fáilte Ireland does not elaborate why it deems Salthill is not suitable for swimming but its recommendation has angered locals.

The full blurb said: “Salthill’s main attraction every year has been its promenade and numerous sandy beaches. The promenade covers approximately 3km of coastline, overlooking Galway Bay.

“While swimming is not recommended, this is an ideal area for jogging, rollerblading or strolling. The hills of County Clare are visible across the Bay on a clear day and benches are provided along the seafront.”

Labour Party City Councillor, Niall McNelis, says it is “very odd” that the body paid by Government to promote tourism in Ireland is telling potential visitors that Salthill is not suitable for swimming.

“Salthill is a tourist destination, and one of its biggest assets, is the Prom. And one of the big attractions of the Prom is there are so many beaches and that it is ideal for swimming. .

“It’s bad enough that we no longer have a tourist office in Salthill now they’re telling visitors not to swim here – it just doesn’t make sense.

“I cannot understand why Fáilte Ireland would warn people not to swim in Salthill. It has a Blue Flag, so it meets European standards for water quality and we’re proud of that, so why would they warn people not to swim there?”

Cllr McNelis has contacted Fáilte Ireland to complain.

Read more in this week’s Connacht Tribune