Anyone heading to the coast this Monday should check the weather and tide beforehand, water safety officials have warned.  

Water Safety Ireland, the Coastguard and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution say anyone taking part in water activities needs to plan ahead.  

RNLI Water Safety Education Manager Killian O'Kelly said people should check the weather and the tide before spending a day at the Irish coasts or on a boat. 

“Check your lifejacket and check your equipment if it’s your first time going out on the coast for the year, which it often is this time of year,” he said.  

“Check your engine, check that your lifejacket has been serviced, check that all your safety equipment is working correctly.” 

Yellow Warnings

Yesterday Met Éireann issued a Yellow alert for between noon and 9pm on Sunday, warning that heavy showers and thunderstorms may cause disruption. 

It also issued a Status Yellow thunderstorm warning for nine counties along the eastern part of the country: Carlow, Dublin, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Wexford, Wicklow, Cavan and Monaghan. 

Met Éireann warned that there would be some “thunderstorm activity” in these areas up until 5pm on Sunday, with lightning and heavy downpours in parts of the country possible. 

Alcohol Consumption

According to Water Safety Ireland, approximately 110 drownings occur in Ireland every year – and alcohol consumption contributes to one third of these accidents.  

It said this applies to anyone bathing, boating, walking and fishing. 

The RNLI is also encouraging people to take part in the month-long Mayday Mile to raise funds to "keep families safe this summer".

It said it will help raise vital funds for its lifesaving work and people can walk, jog, hop or skip to complete the challenge each day.