A number of councils around the country are closing public areas and access routes to them ahead of the bank holiday weekend as part of efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.
They say the moves are being made following consultation with An Garda Síochána.
It comes amid concern nationwide about members of the public availing of good weather and gathering in crowds over the Easter bank holiday weekend.
In Co Wexford, several beach car parks are closed in a bid to deter people from travelling distances to visit some of the region's most popular beauty spots.
According to the council, the closures of nine beach car parks in Wexford is "in order to comply with physical distancing and the 2km exercising requirements under Covid-19 regulations".
The car parks being shut are:
- Ballymoney Beach
- Courtown Leisure Centre
- Cahore Beach
- Morriscastle Beach
- Ballinesker Beach
- Curracloe (White Gap) Beach
- Culleton’s Gap Beach
- St Helen’s Beach
- Kilmore Quay
Meanwhile, the Ferrybank swimming pool car park and the road to the Ferrybank Quay car park in Wexford town are also closed.
"An Garda Síochána will be carrying out strict enforcement in relation to parking and non-compliances in this regard," a council spokesman said.
"Wexford County Council very much regrets the necessity of these measures but the council must act in the interest of public health due to gathering crowds and infringements of physical distancing requirements. The situation will be kept under review."
Donegal County Council has announced that it is also restricting access to a number of beach car parks and beaches in the county.
The decision, it says, follows "observations and consultation with relevant authorities".
Those who live within 2km of the 12 beaches concerned will continue to have access to them.
The council says the restricted access is being implemented to support the public health guidance and it is asking all members of the public to respect the necessary restrictions in place and remain in their main residence.
The beaches affected are:
- Kinnagoe
- Lisfannon
- Shrove
- Rathmullan
- Block Yard Beach, Keadue
- Magheroarty
- Magheraclogher
- Killahoey
- Mullaghdearg
- Silver Strand
- Rossnowlagh
- Bundoran
Wicklow County Council has similar closures in place following consulation with gardaí and is advising people to "stay at home and stay safe".
The council says the following public car parks remain closed until further notice:
- Upper car park at Glendalough
- South Beach car park, Mill Road, Greystones
- Park and Ride, Woodlands Avenue, Greystones (weekends)
- Trafalgar Road car park, Greystones (weekends)
- La Touche Road car park, Greystones (weekends)
- Harbour/marina public car park, Greystones
- Bray Head car park
- Brittas Bay car parks north and south
- Sugar Loaf car park
- Seaview Avenue car park, Arklow
- South Beach car park, Arklow
- The Cove car park, Arklow
A number of recreational and other facilities in Co Wicklow are also closed:
- All county council playgrounds
- Outdoor gyms
- Glen Beach Cliff Walk to Wicklow Head
- Dr. Ryan Park, Kindlestown, Greystones
- Cliff Walk from Bray to Greystones/Greystones to Bray
- Food kiosks on Bray seafront
- Public toilets at Bray seafront.
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Louth County Council has issued similar closure notices for the duration of the bank holiday weekend.
The following car parks are shut:
- Carlingford
- Templetown Beach
- Shelling Hill Beach
- Greenore Beach
- Gyles Quay Beach
- Blackrock Lower
- Clogherhead Beach
- Port Oriel Beach
- Port Beach
- Seapoint Beach
Closures are also in place at:
- St Dominic's Park, Drogheda
- Steps of St Peters Church, Drogheda
- Blackrock Park
- Blackrock Beach
- Blackrock Community Centre
