Serene he stands...

Its midday and the sun is trying to break through the clouds and defeat a stiff offshore breeze.

There are only a few swimmers in the area that's marked out as the designated swimming area.

Yet the lifeguard stands at the waters edge - vigilant and ready to don his flippers and aid swimmers in difficulty.

I've noticed over here that the lifeguards patrol at the waters edge and don't all stay in their hut. They also have radios and a rescue boat which seem to be unavailable to Irish lifeguards (certainly the last time I was in Garryvoe they didn't have a boat or radios ) - I suppose the Celtic Tigers riches didn't get the chance to dribble down to such services.