HOLIDAYMAKERS ARE BEING warned to avoid swimming in Kerry’s largest lake, Lough Leane.

The warning comes after the lake was found to be home of an outbreak of algal scum.

Head of Services at Kerry County Council John Breen told Morning Ireland that while boats and sightseeing would be unaffected, people should not drink, bathe, swim or allow their dogs in the lake, which is in the Killarney National Park.

Algal scum is a naturally occurring substance, but can cause skin rashes and illnesses, Kerry County Council said in a statement.

“While it must be stressed that the risk to public health is extremely low, the presence of algal toxins have been known to cause illness or skin rashes in certain circumstances.”

Reservoir reservations

Elsewhere, the ESB is urging the public not to swim in any of their reservoirs.

They say that this is due to the risk of uneven ground, deep waters, changing water levels and fast-flowing waters.

“These waters include the reservoirs at Poulaphoca and Golden Falls in Wicklow, Leixlip in Kildare, Inniscarra and Carrigadrohid in Cork, the Ardnacrusha headrace and tailrace canal in County Clare and Assaroe and Lough NaCung in County Donegal.”

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