Lifesaving pilot project rolled out across six Donegal beaches

Councillor Brian Carr’s idea to assign identification to beaches has become a reality through the launch of the Coastal Location Codes pilot project

Published 28th Aug 2026, 10:40 BST Director of Emergency Services Garry Martin, Councillor Michael McMahon, Councillor Gary Doherty, Councillor Anthony Molloy, Councillor John Sheamais Ó'Fhearraigh and Councillor Brian Carr at the Coastal Location Codes launch | Donegal Live Councillor Brian Carr’s idea to assign identification to beaches has become a reality through the launch of the Coastal Location Codes pilot project Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

A lifesaving pilot project has been rolled out across six beaches in Donegal , inspired by Councillor Brian Carr .

The Coastal Location Codes project helps emergency services pinpoint accurate locations at beaches, piers and other coastal sites. Launched at Narin Blue Flag Beach , Tramore Beach, Bundoran Beach, Stroove Beach, Downings Beach and Killahoey Beach have also been assigned identification codes and are included in the project.

Councillor Carr proposed the initiative after his family’s serious emergency at Tramore Beach last August.

“When you are dealing with an emergency on the coast, every second matters,” Councillor Carr said. “Trying to explain the exact location of a beach or access point can be extremely difficult, particularly for someone unfamiliar with the area.

“This system has the potential to remove that uncertainty and give emergency services the information they need much more quickly.”

Councillor Carr and his family had gone for a swim and a strong current swept them out. His wife Marie had a hard time directing emergency services to Tramore Beach, as it took a long time to accurately explain their location.

Four local boys, Maitiu Clerkin, Joe Herron, Turlagh McDaid and Dualta Bracken, noticed the emergency and quickly responded, and they were brought safely back to shore

Councillor Carr and his wife Marie along with Dualta and Maitiu | Donegal Live “I'm just so happy, excited and delighted that I'm standing here today,” Councillor Carr said.

“Two people standing here are the reason that I'm here today. Maitiu Clerkin and Dualta Bracken, the two lads over there. Friends we made a year ago and friends we're going to have for life.”

Councillor asks for ID to be assigned to Donegal beaches following ‘traumatic event’ National recognition for Donegal life-savers at water safety awards On November 24, 2025, Councillor Carr brought a two-part motion to Donegal County Council regarding access to beaches, and providing individual identification numbers to assist emergency services.

From that motion last year, the pilot project has now been successfully implemented in Donegal. A sign was unveiled which displayed the code DL110, assigned to Narin Beach.

“It's a unique number for every beach, every coastal location, pier, whatever it is,” Councillor Carr continued. “There's no app required; no location needs to be turned on, any old phone. “All you have to do is be able to dial 999 or 112, give that code. That's going to be replicated throughout the whole of County Donegal and hopefully later on it will be replicated further down the country.

“I'm over the moon, I'm delighted. All I can say is, it's great to see an idea that came from a very personal experience now become a reality, and I hope it will make our coastlines safer for everyone and, most importantly, help save lives.”

Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Sinn Féin Councillor Gary Doherty added: “I want to congratulate my colleague, Councillor Brian Carr, on this fantastic initiative that he brought to the council and I want to thank the council and the other emergency services who have bought into it as well.

“What happened to Brian last year and his family could have been a tragedy that brought the people of Donegal together in grief, but today we're here to celebrate Brian and his family on this new initiative that will save many, many lives in the future.”

The Coastal Location Code pilot project has been developed by Donegal County Council's Environment Section in consultation with the Irish Coast Guard.