Save Silverstrand campaign builds ahead of Galway West bye-election
Designed in the style of election posters, the signs urge voters to question candidates directly on the future of Silverstrand Beach and public access to Galway’s beaches.
It comes as Cllr Clodagh Higgins (FG) has formally requested a meeting with Galway City Council Chief Executive Leonard Cleary “to seek a clear update on the situation at Silverstrand” and “to try to progress a practical solution”.
Confusion remains as Galway City Council recently confirmed that signs at the popular blue flag beach “do not ban paddleboarding, body boarding, canoeing and kayaking” following the most recent risk assessment carried out by the International Life Saving Federation of Europe (ILSE).
The signs at Silverstrand sparked widespread backlash as they banned a broad range of activities such as windsurfing, kitesurfing and surf craft - terms which can encompass surfboards, kayaks, and stand-up paddle (SUP) boards.
However, campaigners point to the council’s own document - the Silverstrand Code of Conduct - which states that “the designated bathing area is strictly for bathing only. Do not surf, windsurf, kite surf, paddle-board or kayak inside the bathing area”.
The Galway City Watersports Group says that “therefore, based on the Galway City Council document, the signs do prohibit surf boards, paddle boarding, kayaking and canoeing”.
The organisation says the appearance of the posters marks the beginning of a wider public awareness campaign aimed at keeping pressure on both candidates and Galway City Council in the weeks ahead.
They are asking voters to put a clear question to all candidates to find out where they stand on “protecting Silverstrand Beach for future generations of swimmers, watersports users, and the wider community”.
According to the organisation, the watersports ban at Silverstrand is not just a niche issue affecting a small group of users, but a wider community concern involving public access, safety, inclusivity, and the long-term management of Galway’s beaches.
This is a real and urgent local issue. Public pressure and political support could help ensure that the beach is zoned and the watersports ban is lifted in time for the start of the 2026 bathing season.
The group is also calling on Galway City Council to introduce a Blue Flag-compliant beach management and zoning plan for all Galway city beaches, similar to systems used internationally.
“Galway City Watersports is calling on Galway City Council to follow best international practice by introducing a Blue Flag-compliant beach management and zoning plan for all Galway city beaches,” they say.
“Such a plan would prioritise safety while ensuring inclusivity and shared access for swimmers, watersports users, families, and all members of the community.”
A spokesperson for Galway City Watersports says the campaign was designed to encourage public discussion during the election period.
“Silverstrand Beach is a much-loved public amenity, and it should be managed in a way that is safe, fair, and inclusive,” the spokesperson says.
“We are asking members of the public to raise this issue directly with bye-election candidates and to ask them what action they will take to protect access to Silverstrand for future generations.”
“If watersports can be banned at the stroke of a pen on Silverstrand beach, then it could happen to other city and county beaches.”
An online petition by the Galway City Watersports Group to reverse the restrictions and introduce zoning has since gathered more than 1,700 signatures.
Galway City Council says the most recent ILSE risk assessment recommends prohibiting windsurfing, towed water activity, mechanically powered craft, surf craft, personalised watercraft (meaning small, fast recreational vessels that use a jet pump to propel themselves through water) and kitesurfing.
They state that “contrary to other public information in circulation, the risk assessment and the signage at Silverstrand do not prohibit paddle boarding, body boarding, canoeing or kayaking”.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme