14 Best Beaches in Ireland

With family in Ireland, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the country’s beautiful shores over the years. The Emerald Isle has 4,600 miles of rugged coastline with many enticing beaches—those on the east coast, along the Irish Sea, offer calmer waters and more sheltered stretches ideal for swimming in the summer. The west coast is more dramatic, with vibrant green hills plunging to steep cliffs hiding coves with golden sands thrashed by powerful waves. 

No matter what type of beach you’re looking for, there’s bound to be one within relatively easy reach, whether you’re looking to spend the day swimming and sunbathing at a picturesque span near the city of Dublin, relax at an idyllic stretch in a remote locale, or surf epic waves. When making your plans to visit, you might even consider focusing your trip around one (or more) of the best beaches in Ireland. 

One of the most spectacular beaches in the Dublin area, Balcarrick is a true hidden gem, one that mostly only the locals visit as it’s well off the beaten tourist path in the suburb of Donabate in North County Dublin. Ideal for those staying in or near the Irish capital, it’s a Blue Flag beach, designated as such for its pristine state with soft sands and swimmable blue waters. Stretching for two miles, it’s also a great spot for a stroll, with scenic views of the Malahide Estuary, Howth, and Lambay Island. 

When the tide is out, tidepooling is a popular activity here. At the north end of the beach, the main access point, you’ll find the Waterside Hotel with a restaurant that has an outdoor patio where you can dine or relax with a pint of Guinness and a view. 

An hour’s drive south of Dublin is one of County Wicklow’s most popular beaches. Another Blue Flag beach, it offers an over three-mile-long stretch of powdery sands and dunes that are ecologically important, supporting a diverse array of wildlife and rare plants. You can often see pink pyramidal orchids popping up among the dunes. Many come during the summer to enjoy a refreshing dip with lifeguards staffed here during the season, as well as to enjoy water sports like SUP and surfing, with a surf school on-site. 

If you’re a fan of the History Channel’s “Vikings” series, this beach might look familiar, as scenes involving the Viking landings on the beach were shot here.

Continue another hour south and you’ll reach the beach that’s famous for being the filming location for scenes featuring Omaha Beach in “Saving Private Ryan.” You might have seen it in the 2015 romantic period drama “Brooklyn” too, where stars Saoirse Ronan and Domhnall Gleeson walk along the shore. It’s even prettier in person, while offering activities like long walks on the approximately 10-mile-long span, swimming on calmer days, and birdwatching in the surrounding dunes. On a windy day, it’s a popular spot for windsurfing. 

One of the most stunning beaches in all of Ireland, Coral Beach or Coral Strand, is in the Connemara region, made not from sand but a fine, coraline algae known as maёrl, a type of seaweed that hardens and washes ashore. It creates a distinct white appearance, strikingly contrasted by the turquoise waters. On a pleasant day, the water is usually calm and ideal for swimming or even snorkeling. Despite its beauty, it manages to retain a tranquil atmosphere, making it perfect for relaxing while enjoying the natural surroundings.

Sandy Ardmore Beach in the village of Ardmore is a sweeping stretch with water that’s safe for swimming and enjoying other activities like kayaking and SUP. There’s plenty of room for sunbathing too, with the beach about two-thirds of a mile long, and just steps away, you’ll find the Ardmore Cliff Walk, which offers a stroll back in time passing medieval St. Declan’s Monastery, which includes a well-preserved round tower and the ruins of a medieval cathedral. 

While you can bring a picnic to enjoy at the beach, the oceanfront Cliff House Hotel is a short walk away, offering a bar and a Michelin-starred clifftop restaurant for a leisurely lunch or a celebratory dinner. 

Arguably the most famous beach in Ireland, Inch is yet another stretch that’s been featured in blockbuster films, including 1981’s “Excalibur,” 1970’s “Ryan’s Daughter,” and 1992’s “Far and Away.” The three-mile-long Blue Flag-designated sand spit extends into Dingle Bay and is just 14 miles from the popular town of Dingle. 

Inch Beach is a favorite for surfing in the area, often offering outstanding waves thanks to its west-facing position. In the summer, there are local surf schools here that can help get you up on a board. Otherwise, it’s a good place for a walk and a swim, with lifeguards here during the season. You’ll also find a beach bar and casual restaurant right on-site.

Ventry Bay Beach is the most popular to visit from Dingle, only about a 10-minute drive away in the small village of Ventry. It lies along one of the world’s most scenic routes, Slea Head Drive, which loops around the western tip of the Dingle Peninsula, providing an ideal stop for enjoying golden sands and calm water for swimming and water sports like SUP and kayaking. Another Blue Flag beach, the water quality is excellent, and there’s a lifeguard here in the summer. Or just take a break from the car to enjoy the fresh salty sea air and a breathtaking view. 

Also along Slea Head Drive, about 25 minutes from Dingle, Coumeenoole is a small and secluded beach tucked in a windswept cove at the bottom of towering cliffs, accessed via a narrow path from the parking area. Despite the water’s tropical appearance on a sunny day, it’s all about enjoying the breathtaking coastal scenery rather than swimming due to the strong currents, although experienced surfers sometimes ride the waves. 

The main draw at Coumeenoole is for photographers and nature lovers, with stunning views of the Atlantic and the Blasket Islands, but you’ll want to visit according to the tide table. At high tide, the beach almost disappears. 

Just outside the picturesque town of Miltown Malbay, Spanish Point Beach is nestled in horseshoe-shaped Mal Bay. A discovery point on the popular Wild Atlantic Way, it’s a long sandy stretch ideal for relaxing by the sea, strolling, building sandcastles, and swimming or surfing with surf schools and rental gear available. The beach is also a site of historical significance, known for its link to the Spanish Armada, hence the name, with multiple ships wrecked here in 1588. While you’d never know it today, if you listen closely, you might just hear the stories of lost sailors echoing through the sea air, with some referring to the beach as the “Tomb of the Spaniards.” 

The smallest of the three Aran Islands, located off the west coast, Inisheer not only offers an old-world Ireland experience for delving into authentic traditional life where islanders speak both Irish and English, but also spending time on a beautiful beach. The main beach (officially known as An Trá or “The Beach”) is located next to the ferry pier, looking as if it was stolen from the Caribbean, with its soft white sands and clear cobalt waters ideal for wading or swimming.

Something that only the locals and frequent visitors know is that a resident bottlenose dolphin often makes an appearance here—keep an eye out while arriving or departing on the ferry as “Sandy” likes to play in the wake. Just a stone’s throw away, Tigh Ned, a traditional pub, is the perfect spot for lunch, served daily throughout the summer.  

Located on the largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore, Kilmurvey is known for its crystal-clear blue waters, white sands, views of Connemara, and its Blue Flag status, making it a great place to swim, complete with a lifeguard in the summer. The beach is usually uncrowded and peaceful for those who want to simply relax. The Kilmurvey Seal Colony is nearby, where wildlife lovers can watch the animals basking in the sun on the rocks or lounging in the shallow waters. It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise too, with everything from oystercatchers and laughing cults to herons, comorants, and terns. 

Keem Strand is the finest of Achill Island’s five Blue Flag beaches, often celebrated for its dramatic scenery as a sweep of soft sands that edge a secluded, sheltered turquoise bay. Hemmed in by the Croaghaun Cliffs, Ireland’s highest, it ranks among The World’s 50 Best Beaches. If you saw the Oscar-nominated movie “The Banshees of Inisherin,” you’ll know it as the breathtaking setting for Colm Doherty’s house. 

Take in the view (and advantage of the photo op) from the cliff-top road that overlooks it before clambering down a footpath to reach the sand. With the brilliant blue water often calm and clear, with the bay’s horseshoe shape protecting it from strong currents, it’s an unforgettable spot for swimming.

Streedagh is a long, sandy beach where you can take a stroll while enjoying scenic views of the Atlantic and Benbulben Mountain. If you walk here at low tide, you might even catch a glimpse of the remains of Spanish Armada ships that came aground in 1588, similar to Spanish Point but much further south in County Clare. The clear blue waters are popular for surfing, swimming, and SUP, depending on conditions, while the beach includes a dune system and fossils that can be seen in the rocks at low tide.

One of the most popular surfing beaches in Ireland, Tullan Strand attracts surfers from across the globe. Surf schools are available for lessons and gear with rentals for everything from wetsuits to boards. The long, sandy beach itself enjoys a backdrop of the Dartry Mountains. It’s ideal for strolling, or you can take a coastal hike on the Rougey Cliff Walk for a journey showcasing the beach, the Atlantic, and the Fairy Bridges, a natural arch in the cliffs, with blowholes providing a fantastic photo op.

The town of Bundoran itself is the quintessential beach town, providing an ideal base for families and all sorts of travelers, with something for everyone, including a seafront amusement park with rides, go-karts, and more.