A ban on swimming at three of Co Clare's most popular beaches has been lifted.
Clare County Council, acting on the advice of the HSE, had erected notices prohibiting bathing at Kilkee, Lahinch and Spanish Point after water quality tests indicated the presence of E Coli.
The prohibition was issued as a precaution while further tests were conducted.
Those tests now indicate that the water quality has considerably improved and the ban has been lifted.
Lifeguards at the three beaches have been instructed to remove the notices warning people not to swim.
Kilkee and Lahinch temporarily lost their blue flags during the ban - they have now been restored.
