3 days ago
An Irishwoman's guide to Ireland's best beaches — no matter the weather
A beach holiday may be synonymous with the golden shores of the Mediterranean, but Ireland's wild and rugged coast is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
This 6,200km necklace of coves and rocks is embroidered with secret stretches of sand and Blue Flag spots that look spectacular, hail, rain or shine.
While the best beaches are found along the remote western and southwestern shorelines, every one is worth venturing off the beaten track for.
Here, our Irish Travel Editor Alice Murphy reveals her seven favourites.
Perhaps the most famous of Ireland's beaches is Keem Bay, a perfect horseshoe that boasts a gorgeous Blue Flag beach sheltered between two slopes in the west of Achill Island.
Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here.
Basking sharks have been travelling past Keem for centuries, and paddleboarders have been known to encounter the gentle creatures in the bay in the early summer months (usually May and June).
I have many happy memories on this, the largest of Ireland's islands, cycling with my parents and enjoying red lemonade with a bag of Tayto during singsongs in Lynnot's pub.
Earlier this year, Keem appeared in the annual ranking of the World's Best 50 Beaches, coming in at 7th in Europe, and 48th on the planet.
Not that it needed it, but it got another boost when it featured in the Banshees of Inisherin. Keem and Achill in general are best visited as part of a trip along the Wild Atlantic Way.
A word of warning: Keem is popular, and parking in the summer can be a nightmare. There are two car parks, one upper and one lower, but if you have a bike or are staying near enough to walk, I strongly advise it.
How to get to Keem Beach: From Keel, follow the R319 Atlantic Drive for 10km to the west of the island. 53.9672° N, 10.1929° W.
This one has a special place in my heart as it's where I spent many summers as a child.
My dad, who was born in the Wexford town of Enniscorthy, used to tell me that the sands of Curracloe are as white as Barbados. The jury is out on that one, but there's no denying that this place is special.
It may be one of the classic Irish beaches, gazing out over the Irish Sea, but Curracloe still feels unspoiled by mass tourism.
The dunes back onto the Raven Nature Reserve, an important ecosystem that's home to flora and fauna, and native birds.
Curracloe even has Hollywood connections: it featured in Stephen Speilberg's Saving Private Ryan, and the iconic Irish blockbuster Brooklyn, starring Saoirse Ronan.
How to get to Curracloe Beach: From Curracloe village, take the R743 signposted for Curracloe Beach. 52.3882° N, 6.3621° W.
Often named the best beach in Ireland, this dazzling arc of white sand and turquoise water looks like the Caribbean (if you catch it on a sunny day).
Framed by rolling dunes, this Blue Flag stretch is a bombshell in the truest sense of the word: safe and sheltered, it's perfect for swimming as well as surfing, sailing and kayaking.
On a clear night, it's also a good spot for stargazing.
The beach is tucked inside Derrynane National Historic Park in Caherdaniel beside the ancestral home of Irish political leader Daniel O'Connell, a historic giant known as 'The Liberator'.
The heritage-listed Derrynane House and Derrynane Beach both sit on the Ring of Kerry, a looping road that takes you through thundering waterfalls, stunning landscapes and 10,000 years of dramatic history.
How to get to Derrynane Beach: Follow directions for Derrynane House until you come to the sign for Derrynane Beach. The village of Caherdaniel is two miles to the northwest of the beach. 51.76° N, -10.14° W.
Right to the south now, and we're on to Ballyrisode Beach, a sheltered, sandy stretch a 15-minute drive from Schull (pronounced skull ), one of Ireland's most beautiful coastal villages.
The water is freezing (this is Ireland, remember), but it's a wonderful spot for a dip. You can take the sting out by booking a slot at The Heat Shack, a barrel sauna right on the beach.
Nearby are plenty of sights to keep you busy, including the altar wedge – a megalithic tomb at Toormore Bay – and the harbour town of Crookhaven.
How to get to Ballyrisode Beach: Start from Schull and drive in the direction of Goleen and Crookhaven. 51.5113° N, 9.6622° W.
The hills of Donegal are the stuff of legend, but the beaches are just as magnificent if you know where to find them.
One of my favourites is Marble Hill, a beautiful stretch cradled between two headlands that gets split in two at high tide.
This sheltered sandy beach is popular with walkers, swimmers and surfers, and the dunes attract nature lovers: you'll find delicate wildflowers and a small number of corncrakes.
Compared to more secluded Donegal beaches like nearby Trá Mór (which is also magnificent), Marble Hill is easy to reach. You can drive straight up to it.
How to get to Marble Hill Beach: Drive along the N56 towards Creeslough. Pass the road down to Port na Blagh harbour, then take the turn off the N56 marked 'Scenic Route'. 55.1686° N, 7.9685° W.
This has to be one of the most spectacular beaches in the country, with the richest history.
Known as the place 'where Ireland was lost and won', Baginbun is the site of the Norman invasion of 1170. It gets its name from the ships that landed here, 'La Bague' and 'La Bonne'.
The beach, which sits on the south-western tip of Wexford, is surrounded by award-winning tourist attractions, making it a popular holiday spot.
You can go sea kayaking with the Irish Experience, sweat it out with a session at Sweathouse Sauna, or drive 20 minutes to Hook Lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses in the world.
Sheltered and secluded, the cove is popular with families as it's generally a safe place to swim. There is a small car park, but it's worth noting that the beach is not wheelchair accessible.
How to get to Baginbun Beach: Drive to the village of Fethard and follow signs from there. 52.176546° N, -6.831661° W.
Known for its vast dunes and showstopper sunsets, Silver Strand is a remote spot that has managed to stay somewhat of a hidden gem.
Measuring just 450 metres at its widest point, it's one of the smaller beaches in the area. However, what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in beauty.
The beach, called Trá Leac an Chaolaigh in Irish, has golden sands and turquoise water when the sun comes out, but it looks equally impressive on an overcast day (just a little moodier).
It's been awarded the Green Coast Award in recognition of its clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty. More Trending
While the beach is easy to reach, along a decent road with plenty of lay-bys to park in, there are no lifeguards on duty once you get there, so swimming is at your own risk.
Silver Strand is only a short drive to some of the best attractions in Mayo, including: Killary Fjord (the only fjord in Ireland)
The Lost Valley of Uggool (one of the most unique valleys in Europe, with waterfalls, lakes and the ruins of a famine village where people lived until the Great Hunger 1845-1852)
Westport (a heritage town and a fabulous place for trad)
Croagh Patrick (a pyramid-shaped pilgrimage mountain)
Louisburgh (a coastal town known for watersports)
How to get to Silver Strand Beach: Drive to Louisburgh and take the R335 road after turning off the N59 from Westport. 53.6687° N, -9.8987° W.
MORE: I've been to 175 countries – but I always go back to these underrated gems
MORE: I stumbled across the best bar ever in Europe's newly-crowned 'safest city'
MORE: American tourist's £660 'extreme day trip' to Ireland raises a lot of questions
