70 Beaches to Explore in Ireland

A beautiful white sandy beach located beneath Slievetooey mountain and some are accessible at low tides from Maghera Strand. There are over 20 caves, 8 arches and 5 tunnels which can be visited, ideally by Kayak or other small craft, and would be enough to sate the appetite of any explorer.

Malahide is an expansive stretch of sand that runs between the town and the estuary. It is a popular spot with beach walkers with a mix of dunes, beach, footpath and promenade running along its 2km length. A good picnic destination and is a good place where you can bring your family out.

Marble Hill beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal. At high tide it is split into two different sections, with several small yachts and boats moored in the bay during the summer season. Marble Hill is popular with swimmers, surfers, bathers, walkers, sand-castle builders and just about everybody who knows of its existence.

A beautiful sandy beach named after a corn mill which stood here. On the horizon it is possible to see the Isle of Man. It’s in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you can enjoy the bird life and seals while walking along the rugged shoreline with grassy paths and sandy bays ideal for picnics.

Morriscastle Beach is a part of a number of beaches that stretch for approximately 22 km from Cahore point to Curracloe in County Wexford and this sheltered stretch is known locally as the Golden Mile. The sand on Morriscastle is fine, deep and silvery with a deep sheltering dune system. It is possible to walk all the way to Curracloe to the south and to Cahore Point to the North.

Mullaghmore Beach is situated in North Sligo next to the picturesque village of Mullaghmore. It is approximately 3km of white sandy beach and is a very popular surfing spot. This rural sandy beach is backed by an extensive dune system and with view of Ben Bulben, overlooked by the majestic Classiebawn Castle on the headland. It is also renowned for being a base for licensed angling/passenger boats for charter, sea angling and trips to Inishmurray Island.

Newcastle is a small seaside resort town in County Down, Northern Ireland. It comprises of sand, pebbles and larger stones and is approximately 2.5 km in length. The major part of Newcastle Beach is backed by a promenade and the seaside town of Newcastle, which has lots of shops, amusements and other attractions. It also offers opportunities for watersports and amazing walks in the Mourne mountains.

This excellent, rural beach is located in Louisburgh, in County Mayo. It is sheltered by cliffs and woodland. This beach has a number of rock pools that are exposed when the tide is out. The beach is sheltered from the south and west. Its sheltered location makes it perfect for swimming.

Owenahincha is a beach located in Rosscarbery in County Cork. It is a Blue Flag beach. It is an exposed beach and the sea can be quite rough at times. Public car parking and public toilet facilities are provided at the beach.

A beautiful wide strand of sandy beach located in Portmarnock, North Dublin. It is five miles long and stretches all the way to Baldoyle and adjoins Malahide Beach. It has a lovely view of the Dublin Mountains and Howth Harbour. . It is a great way of exercising, whether walking, cycling or even roller blading.

Red Strand is Green Flag Beach located in a horseshoe bay near Rosscarbery in County Cork. It is quite popular for surfing and has reasonably consistent surf all year round. Nestling between two lush green headlands, one of which contains the iconic Galley Head lighthouse, the water here is exceptionally clean and suitable for swimming in good weather.

A beautiful sandy beach which was located in the stunning Connemara district of Galway. It is widely known for the caravan and camping park that sits right on the edge of the beach. The beach was also one of the recipients of the Green Coast Award Beaches 2013, which is an award for beaches that have excellent water quality but are also prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.

This beautiful sandy beach is the perfect location for a family day on the beach and a place where we have spent many an enjoyable afternoon. It has great views of Barta Island in the River Moy estuary and across Killala bay to Enniscrone beach on the east shore. There is also opportunities for Surfing, Walking, Canoeing, Swimming and Fishing.

Rossbeigh strand is located five kilometres outside the village of Glenbeigh. It is an extensive sandy beach in a rural environment and is great for swimming, walking, surfing and a wide range of other activities. Rossbeigh contains a large volume of sand dunes and herbaceous vegetation. It is considered an important habitat for flora and fauna, including wildfowl.

The extensive Rossglass Beach offers a wonderful view over Dundrum Bay to the Mourne Mountains. Sandy shingle at high tide with rocks beyond the shoreline. It is home to breeding seals and wading birds such as oyster-catchers

It is one of the most popular beaches in the county with the strand being located next to Rosslare Village, at the southern end of Wexford Harbour. This Blue Flag beach is a ‘go-to’ destination for swimming, strolling and families of all ages. It also features both sand and stone and is divided into sections by a number of wooden breakwaters that are designed to prevent the beach from erosion.

This beach is situated half a mile from the Kildermot Crossroads. There is a long lane from the Coastal road to the beach. This lane can be narrow and overgrown in parts, but leads to a lovely unobstructed sandy beach, which is surrounded by caves which are well worth a visit.

The magnificent Silver Strand Beach in Mayo is arguably one of the best beaches in Ireland, and it’s one of our favourite places to visit in Mayo. The beach is located in an ecologically important area and in 2016 received the Green Coast Award in recognition of the beach’s clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. The location is also a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way.

This stack sits off the right-hand side of the sliver strand beach by Malinbeg. This beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Donegal. Access to the stack is by a wee bit of coasteering for as far as you can from the right-hand side of the beach. A high tide approach simply paddle out direct from the beach.

A beautiful Sandy beach located near MiItown Malbay in County Clare. The beach itself is sandy with a rocky shoreline, and becomes very wide at low tide, but narrows considerably when the tide is in. It is popular with swimmers and is a good beach for surfing. The beach is located on the northern side of Spanish Point and has ample parking.