You should really read this before planning a trip to any of Ireland's beaches

The summer holidays can be a long drawn out affair; with the kids off for two (sometimes three) full months it can be hard trying to keep them entertained (without breaking the bank in the process).

And when the sun does decide to make an appearance, the beach is usually the first place us mums will head to: it's cheap and cheerful and you can literally run the kids ragged so that all they want to do when they get home is go to bed! 

However, while the coast may seem like the best place to hang out for a few hours, this is not always the case, and it's a good idea to have a quick read up about the particular beach that you plan on visiting before getting there. 

The last thing you want is to bundle the kids into the car only to arrive and see that restrictions have been put into place and you can't even dip your toe in the water. 

This is why the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are encouraging everyone to visit www.beaches.ie when planning a trip to one of Ireland’s beaches.

Here you can find up to date information on the water quality of 142 beaches and lakes nationwide, as well as check to see if there are any current warnings or swim restriction notices in operation at any of the main beaches.  

You can also find out if a beach is dog-friendly, what time the tide will be in, whether first aid is available, and which beaches have lifesaving facilities.

Basically everything you need to know before you pack your picnic and head off for the day. 

With only a couple of weeks of the holidays left, now is the perfect time to start cramming in all those beach days (even if it means building sandcastles in the rain).  

Visit www.beaches.ie for more info.