Two young men are recovering this morning after they were found clinging to a buoy in the water near Malahide yesterday evening.

The Irish Coast Guard said the men, aged in their early twenties, were picked up by a passing boat which “happened to be helmed by an off-duty member of the Howth Coast Guard”.

It said the men were “out of depth, clinging to a mooring buoy”.

They were swimming in an undesignated area where the river meets the sea, close to the Grand Hotel.

The pair were safely brought to shore and did not need any further medical attention.

This morning, the Coast Guard is urging people only to swim in designated areas as the good weather continues.

Officers are also thanking the people who alerted them to the incident and encouraged others to do the same should they witness anyone in difficulty in the water.

Reporting from Stephanie Rohan.