Beach ready
You don’t have to go abroad to find the best sandy beaches you can find them right here on Ireland’s diverse coastline!
You don’t have to go abroad to find the best sandy beaches – you can find them right here on Ireland’s diverse coastline!
Dog’s Bay, Co Galway
Just a short trip from the village of Roundstone on the Wild Atlantic Way, you will find a stunning one-mile stretch of white sandy beach and crystal blue water. It could be confused with the Caribbean on a sunny day! A horseshoe-shaped bay, it backs onto Gurteen Bay, with which it forms a tombolo jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. The unusual thing about this beach is the sand itself. It is not the regular limestone you might find on other beaches, but rather it is made from fragments of seashells which gives it its white hue.
The beach is actually one of the safest beaches in Ireland, as it is protected from major currents, which makes it ideal for water sports such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. And if you want to go for a relaxing walk, check out the wild headland between the two beaches where you will be surrounded by water on three sides!
Kilkee Beach, Co Clare
This crescent-shaped, golden sandy beach has been popular with holidaymakers since Victorian times. Great for family days out, to the west is the Kilkee Cliff Walk, which takes visitors past beloved actor Richard Harris’ memorial and offers some of the greatest views of the stunning coastline.
The reefs around Kilkee are some of the best places for diving in the world, so pack your diving trunks and get into the water! Kilkee Beach is famous for having a Che Guevara mural on the seawall, painted in all colours of the rainbow due to his visit to the area back in the 60s. An unexpected sight!
Inch Beach, Co Kerry
This stretch of over 5km of gently sloping sand and sand dunes, which extends out between the Dingle peninsula and south Kerry, is every bit a cinematic vista. It was famously featured in the Academy Awardwinning 1970 film Ryan’s Daughter! The beach juts into the sea between the outer Dingle Bay and inner Castlemaine Harbour, overlooking the magnificent Iveragh and Dingle Peninsulas. Popular with surfers and swimmers, and even horseback riders, when you stand on the beach, the 360-degree panoramic view ahead of you encompasses the McGillycuddy Reeks. What a sight!
When you stand on the beach, the 360-degree panoramic view ahead of you encompasses the McGillycuddy Reeks. What a sight!
- Inch Beach, Co Kerry
Barleycove Beach, Co Cork
Situated close to Mizen Head, Ireland’s most southerly tip, Barleycove Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in Ireland. It is a shore that has stood the test of time as it has sand dunes that were thrown up in the tidal wave that swept through Europe after the earthquake in Lisbon in 1755. You can go surfing, horse-trekking, bird watching, sea angling, boating, sailing, and cycling. Why not stop off at the beach for a walk or hike to places such as Brow Head and Three Castles Head and check out the incredible scenery of the 400ft cliffs of Mizen Head? There’s no better beach for such dramatic scenery.
Downhill Beach, Co Derry
Situated within the Binevenagh area of outstanding natural beauty and set against a backdrop of cascading waterfalls, towering sand dunes, and the stunning Mussenden Temple. This Blue Flag beach offers breathtaking views of the North Coast, Donegal, and Scottish Isles. When you stand on the beach you realise you can actually enjoy views of three different counties: Donegal, Antrim, and Derry. There is a wealth of activities to do here including water sports, deep-sea fishing, surfing, and scenic walks.
Fun fact: Downhill Beach was used in the filming of Game of Thrones® as Dragonstone! Killiney Beach, Co Dublin
Located on the south side of Killiney Hill, this is not your typical beach. This stretch of rocks and pebbles is perfect for quiet strolls and the water has become very popular for swimming. The beach offers incredible views of the surrounding rocky coastline, including Dalkey Island and Sorrento Terrace to the north, and Bray Head to the south. Looking south, you can also get fantastic views of Killiney Bay and Bray. As the sun heats up, you might even get to see some seals and dolphins begin to appear again in the water. This beach is located in the seaside resort town of Killiney, so there are plenty of places to eat and stay with the family.