The 18 Best Beaches in Ireland

I’m going to tell you all about some of the best beaches in Ireland.

Yes.

You read that correctly.

I said Ireland.

I know what you’re thinking.

Ireland? Beaches?

Yup.

Ireland has some of the most gorgeous stretches of sand I’ve ever walked on.

So in this post I want to share — what I think — are some of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland based on my experiences.

Know that this is not a comprehensive list because I haven’t explored the beaches in the eastern part of the country nor in the southeastern counties of Wexford and Waterford which do have some fabulous strands.

And I’m leaving Northern Ireland out of this list.

However this is a wonderful list of beaches that I know you’ll love.

So…

Are you ready to feel some Irish sand between your toes?

 

Tramore, County Donegal

All I can say about this sandy stretch of gorgeousness is WOW!

Tramore is drop dead gorgeous.

However, it takes a wee bit of effort to get to.

Located just outside the town of Dunfanaghy in Northern County Donegal, it’s a 1-2km walk through the sand dunes to this stunning 3km long beach.

You can’t simply drive up to a parking lot and walk out on the beach.

Tramore, big beach in Irish, takes some work.

But it’s well worth it.

And I think that’s what makes it one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Best place to stay: The Whins B&B, Dunfanaghy, Northern County Donegal

 

5  Fingers Strand, County Donegal

5 Fingers Strand is actually located on the Inishowen Peninsula which is the far northern reaches of the island of Ireland.

I was staying in a B&B north of the town of Carndonagh and west of Culdaff.

The owners told me to stop at 5 Fingers as I drove the R242 toward Malin Head as it would be just a wee bit off this main road.

Great advice that I’m happy to have taken.

This beach is a good-sized one and has some beautiful views of one the most stunning parts of Ireland.

Well worth the detour as you make your way to the most northerly point of Ireland.

Best place to stay: Red Gate House, Templemoyle, Inishowen Peninsula

 

Mullaghmore, County Sligo

County Sligo has no shortage of natural beauty and this includes some fabulous beaches.

Mullaghmore is a very small holiday village in the northern part of the county with a splendid stretch of sand.

It was early April when I visited this beach so it was quite cool, but the sun was out.

I remember a young mother and her child sitting and playing in the sand.

The mom said, “Lovely day isn’t it?” as I walked by.

Gotta love the Irish.

If the sun is out, it’s a beach day!

And Mullaghmore is definitely one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Best place to stay: Ardtarmon House, Ballinfull (near Drumcliff), County Sligo

 

Silver Strand, County Mayo

You never forget your first.

And Silver Strand was the first beach I really truly experienced in Ireland.

I won’t repeat the story which I’ve told a million times.

But I fell in love with this stunning beach and the surrounding landscape.

Sadly, it took almost 11 years before I returned.

And on that return visit to Silver Strand I knew that I was standing on one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland.

It’s a bit remote, but not like Tramore.

You can drive right up to it, park and get out and walk.

There are some fun sand dunes around it, although you don’t have to walk through them to get to the beach.

But they are fun to walk through, on and around.

Now, you do have to make the drive to Silver Strand.

It’s not a place you’ll drive by on your way from point A to point B.

You’ll have to make the effort to take the detour down the wee road to it.

So not everyone is going to make the time.

But if you do, the reward is so worth it.

I love Silver Strand.

Best beach in Ireland?

Maybe.

It’s definitely the beach that is etched in my memory and close to my heart.

Best place to stay: Silver Strand Mweelrea Cottage (Airbnb, private room #1 or #2), Dadreen (near Kiladoon), County Mayo

 

Keem Bay, Achill Island, County Mayo

Achill Island is barely and island as the separation between the mainland and Achill is quite narrow.

There’s a bridge that makes it very easy to drive to Achill which is a must for time in County Mayo.

Keem Bay Beach is located on the far western edge of the island and it’s a stunner.

I visited this beach in 2010 with my parents on a marvelous sunny day in mid-June.

While it was windy the sun was warm.

And I just had to take my shoes off and stick my toes in the Irish sand.

Best place to stay: The Boulevard Guesthouse, Westport (because Westport is a fun town), County Mayo

 

Renvyle Beach, County Galway

County Galway has quite a few wonderful beaches to walk on.

And the Renvyle Peninsula — an off the tourist track part of Galway — has 3 strands that make my best beaches in Ireland list.

Renvyle Beach is also known as Whitestrand and it’s a charmer.

Yes there’s a wonderful stretch of sand to sink your toes into.

But there are also places to explore — rocky areas with barnacles, tidepools.

Plus the views are magnificent.

It’s easy to visit as it has a car park right next to it so there’s no hiking through sand dunes to get there.

Renvyle is definitely one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Best place to stay: Sea Mist House, Clifden

 

Lettergesh, County Galway

Driving East from Renvyle Beach you’ll see Lettergesh Beach in the distance.

And it’s easy to find as there’s a large car park right behind the beach.

There’s a bit of a rocky part to walk down to get to the sand, but once you’re on that sand, you’ll see how fabulous it is.

Lettergesh is a good-sized beach which makes it a great spot to take a nice long walk.

And you’ll have the dazzling Connemara views!

Best place to stay: Dolphin Beach House, Lower Sky Road, Clifden

 

Glassilaun Beach, County Galway

Jaw-dropping gorgeous is the only way to describe Glassilaun Beach.

It could be in the Caribbean.

Seriously.

Glassilaun is one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland.

Period.

It’s a stunning crescent-shaped beach backed by a few small sand dunes.

Mweelrea Mountain is lording over it.

The color of the water looks like anything you’d see in the Caribbean.

Glassilaun does require some know how to get to it as it is down a wee road.

But there’s a car park and there are brown signs for trá, which is beach in Irish.

This will help you find it.

Be prepared to be wowed because Glassilaun has a definite wow factor to it.

And I think it’s a great spot for a picnic — weather permitting.

Best place to stay: Hillside Lodge, Sky Road, Clifden (Ruth, the owner, loves this beach too)

 

Mannin Bay Beach, County Galway

Okay.

This is not a beach like Glassilaun with a long stretch of strand.

But what Mannin has is lots of nooks and crannies to explore.

There are rocks with pockets that fill with seawater and interesting sea life.

You’ll find barnacles on these rocks, as well as kelp and seaweed.

I think this a wonderful beach if you have kids as they’ll love exploring.

I love it because I came here with my parents in 2010.

And I returned on Mother’s Day in 2018 with some tears in my eyes.

This pic of me and Little Mama is a favorite of mine — us by Mannin Bay Beach.

So, yes, I have some sentimental reasons for Mannin being on my list of best beaches in Ireland.

But…

Look at the bay and the color of the water!

Best place to stay: Hillside Lodge, Sky Road, Clifden (It’s a favorite of mine)

 

Dogs Bay/Gurteen, County Galway

As I said, County Galway has the most beaches on my list of the best beaches in Ireland.

This is a 2-for-1 as these 2 bays and beaches are back-to-back.

Located just a couple kilometers from the charming harbor village of Roundstone, this is another spot I visited on the trip with my parents.

There is parking right by the beaches which can get busy in good weather as they are located just off the R341.

But Dogs and Gurteen are so worth the time.

How awesome is it to have back-to-back beaches with 2 splendid bays?!

Only in Ireland!

Best place to stay: Errisbeg Lodge, Roundstone

 

Lahinch Beach, County Clare

This beach makes most best beaches in Ireland lists with good reason — Lahinch is an amazing stretch of sand.

The issue is that it’s very easy to get to so it gets very very very busy on good weather days and in summer in general.

The town of Lahich is right there and there are loads of places to park.

This part of County Clare has that resort-y/holiday feel to it which can be too much for some, but others may love the holiday vibe.

Lahinch is also a good place for those learning to surf.

So while it can be very busy, I still feel it deserves to be on the list because it is such a splendid beach.

My tip is simply to visit on a not-so-nice day or out of season and to avoid the Irish holidays.

Hopefully this helps you avoid too many crowds.

Best place to stay: Daly’s House B&B, Doolin

 

Kilkee Beach, County Clare

So many folks skip the southern part of County Clare as they concentrate on the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren.

But this part of Ireland is hiding the Kilkee Cliffs, the Loop Head drive and Kilkee Beach and its holiday town.

Now I believe the town is quite popular with the Irish so it gets busy during summer much like Lahinch.

However, I traveled here in mid-June 2010 on the trip with my parents and it was fabulous.

There were just enough businesses open and just enough people to not make it seem like a ghost town.

Yet it was not so busy that you couldn’t find parking or have to wait to get a table.

And the beach?

Wowzers!

Another marvelous crescent shaped beach with a beautiful bay.

Who knew?!

Best place to stay: Thalassotherapy Centre & Guesthouse, Kilkee (get a seaweed bath!)

 

Coumeenoole Beach, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

County Kerry has a few entries on my list of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland.

One of these is located on the Dingle Peninsula.

It’s called Coumeenoole.

Great name, right?

Admittedly, I haven’t walked on this stretch of sand.

This was due to the fact that I couldn’t find a parking spot.

Yup.

It was busy.

This beach does require a bit of walking to get to as from the parking area the beach is down a hillside/cliff.

There’s a path to it.

But it won’t be the beach for everyone to actually walk on.

However, the views from above are spectacular!

Best place to stay: Towerview B&B, Dingle Town

 

Inch Beach, Dingle Peninsula, County Kerry

I’m reluctant to put this on the best beaches of Ireland list but I’m including it anyway.

Let me explain.

Inch Beach is a beauty.

It’s a long stretch of lovely sand with views of the Dingle Peninsula and the Iveragh Peninsula — otherwise known as the Ring of Kerry.

And really, the beach can be magnificent.

Unless there are cars on it and crazy drivers doing donuts in the sand.

The first time I saw this beach was in 2007.

I didn’t visit it but saw it in the distance — and it looked so pretty with just a handful of folks on it.

I swore I had a photo of it to share with you, but evidently that photo is in my brain.

Anyway…

In 2018 the weather was very Irish-like with misty rain and low visibility.

I stopped anyway.

And it was a bit mad!

There were some crazy people driving like, well, like crazy people doing donuts in the sand.

I was like, WTF?

I couldn’t get off of Inch Beach fast enough.

Now it was a holiday weekend so I think this had something to do with the busy-ness of the beach.

So…

My advice is to proceed with caution.

Inch Beach is really beautiful when it’s not busy with crazy people doing donuts in their cars in the sand.

If you see lots of cars, skip it.

Best place to stay: Heaton’s Guesthouse, Dingle Town

 

Derrynane Beach, Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

One of the amazing beaches you’ll find on the Ring of Kerry is Derrynane which makes a lot of best beaches in Ireland lists.

Sadly, I didn’t walk on this one but gazed at it in the distance.

But it’s on my list for when I return.

It’s a sheltered beach so will require a wee walk to get to it.

However there’s a car park so no need to park along the road.

Derrynane is protected so, thankfully, won’t ever be a Lahinch.

This is one of those natural beauties.

And these are some of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, in my opinion.

Best place to stay: Brookhaven House B&B, Waterville

 

St Finian’s Beach, Ring of Kerry, County Kerry

This is a wee little beach on the Skellig Ring of the Ring of Kerry.

It’s a lovely spot of sand for sure with Skelligs Chocolate Factory (yum!) and the Cliffs of Kerry nearby.

The best part of St Finian’s Beach and its bay are the views of Skellig Michael.

For anyone who is a Star Wars fan this little dot of a beach is a must.

And because it’s on the Skellig Ring — which is an offshoot of the Ring of Kerry with wee roads that motor coaches can’t go — it tends to be very quiet.

Best place to stay: Sea Lodge Hotel, Waterville

 

Inchydoney, County Cork

No list is complete without Inchydoney.

It is unquestionably one of the best beaches in Ireland.

Inchydoney is a short drive from the Cork town of Clonakilty so it’s very popular — especially on sunny weekends.

And this is why I never set foot on this beach.

I could not find a parking spot — anywhere.

Major disappointment.

In some ways, I would have loved a less than perfect day so I could have gotten my feet all sandy.

But if you get the chance, you’ll want to stop at this famous beach.

Best place to stay: Pier House, Kinsale (Ann is wonderful!)

 

Barleycove, County Cork

One of my personal favorites is Barleycove Beach which is on the drive out to Mizen Head in southwest County Cork.

It’s backed by dunes and in summer, you approach the beach on a boardwalk that goes over a river estuary.

When I visited in late April I parked above the beach near holiday homes in an area that was open to the public.

I then walked down to the beach.

So it’s not as readily accessible as some of the other beaches on this list.

But for me, it’s one of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland because it is more remote.

It’s far more natural and is less crowded — even in summer.

I loved sinking my toes in the sand on Barleycove.

Best place stay: Grove House, Schull

 

Are these the best beaches in Ireland?

Maybe.

I always feel these lists are so subjective.

But they are beaches that, I believe, are worthy of some time.

Some are quite popular and can get very busy as they are right by a town.

But they have that holiday resort fun vibe going on.

Others are more natural, perhaps even a bit remote so have a more tranquil feel to them.

Which one do you fancy visiting?

 

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