With the St Brigid’s bank-holiday weekend set to kick off Ireland’s first major leisure-travel peak of the year, the Irish Coast Guard, RNLI and Water Safety Ireland have jointly urged the public to exercise “extreme caution” along coasts and inland waterways. A 29 January advisory points to strong winds and heavy swells forecast for the Atlantic seaboard following a week of severe weather.
The agencies warn that storm surges can quickly inundate usually dry pathways, while damaged quays and piers may be structurally unsound. Travellers heading to popular surf spots in Clare, Kerry and Donegal—or taking ferries to the Aran Islands—are asked to check local forecasts and hew to designated viewing points.
For international employees or visitors planning to be in Ireland over the long weekend, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can streamline any last-minute visa or travel-document questions, helping travellers adjust itineraries or extend stays without running afoul of entry requirements should weather conditions disrupt original plans.
![Coast Guard and RNLI issue water-safety alert as storms coincide with bank-holiday travel]()
For mobility managers, the alert matters because many multinationals allow assignees and business visitors to self-drive on leisure extensions. Companies should circulate the advisory, reminding staff to avoid high-risk coastal walks and to familiarise themselves with 112/999 emergency-call procedures.
Fáilte Ireland expects domestic trips to exceed last year’s levels, buoyed by school closures and improved motorway links. Accommodation providers say short-notice cancellations linked to weather warnings are fully refundable only if guests notify them at least 24 hours in advance; corporate visitors extending stays should double-check booking terms.
The Coast Guard emphasises that “staying back from the water’s edge” remains the simplest life-saving measure. If someone is seen in difficulty, callers should dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard rather than attempting a rescue themselves.
The agencies warn that storm surges can quickly inundate usually dry pathways, while damaged quays and piers may be structurally unsound. Travellers heading to popular surf spots in Clare, Kerry and Donegal—or taking ferries to the Aran Islands—are asked to check local forecasts and hew to designated viewing points.
For international employees or visitors planning to be in Ireland over the long weekend, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) can streamline any last-minute visa or travel-document questions, helping travellers adjust itineraries or extend stays without running afoul of entry requirements should weather conditions disrupt original plans.
For mobility managers, the alert matters because many multinationals allow assignees and business visitors to self-drive on leisure extensions. Companies should circulate the advisory, reminding staff to avoid high-risk coastal walks and to familiarise themselves with 112/999 emergency-call procedures.
Fáilte Ireland expects domestic trips to exceed last year’s levels, buoyed by school closures and improved motorway links. Accommodation providers say short-notice cancellations linked to weather warnings are fully refundable only if guests notify them at least 24 hours in advance; corporate visitors extending stays should double-check booking terms.
The Coast Guard emphasises that “staying back from the water’s edge” remains the simplest life-saving measure. If someone is seen in difficulty, callers should dial 112 or 999 and ask for the Coast Guard rather than attempting a rescue themselves.
