The 12 best beaches in Ireland for every season

The best beaches in Ireland are strung out along a gorgeous, 6200km-long coastline, backed by the tumbling green countryside that earned the country its Emerald Isle moniker. Along the Irish coast, the land meets the sea at some of the most scenic beaches in Europe, from quiet coves known only to locals to great stretches of golden sand that are tourist destinations in their own right.

Ireland's best beaches are concentrated along the western coastline, where the sometimes wild waters of the Atlantic might not at first glance seem all that inviting. But on a sunny summer’s day, you can run your hands through impossibly soft sands and imagine yourself a fair bit closer to the equator as you breathe in the clean Atlantic air.

The top beaches in Ireland include strands for every kind of traveler, from family-friendly sands that are perfect for castle-building and swimming to long, wind-buffeted strips that call out to walkers looking for space for contemplation. To help you narrow down the list, here are the very best beaches in Ireland.

How to choose between the best beaches in Ireland

When picking a beach in Ireland, consider where you are starting from. With its winding lanes and indented coastline, Ireland lends itself to slow travel, and you may prefer to narrow the focus to beaches close to Dublin, the strands along the Wild Atlantic Way, or the more sheltered beaches along Ireland's east coast.

Many popular beaches can be reached by public transport, but some of the most stirring spots lie at the end of narrow lanes or seaside pathways, best reached by car or on foot. Many beaches lie within reach of a cozy pub or seafood shack, while others have no facilities, and some are backed by family-friendly amusements that will keep the kids busy for the whole day.  

Give some consideration to the weather. If you plan to get into the water, the mild, busy summer is the best time for swimming and spending time on the sand, with water temperatures reaching 16ºC (61ºF) in July. If you're here to enjoy the scenery, the quieter spring and fall seasons – or even the gray, dramatic winter – may have more appeal. With kids in tow, head to beaches with lifeguards, such as Curracloe near Wexford or Inchydoney near Cork. 

The best beaches in Ireland near Dublin

If you're staying in Dublin and looking for a stretch of sand within easy reach, consider the following beaches along Ireland's sheltered eastern coastline. 

1. Killiney Beach, County Dublin

As city beaches go, this one in the south Dublin suburb of Killiney is a treat. The long pebble beach is backed up by some of the most exclusive addresses in Dublin – including the homes of some big celebrities such as Bono and Enya – with unfettered views of the wide arc of Killiney Bay.

This scenic cove is said to bear more than a passing resemblance to the Bay of Naples – hence the Italian names of many of the streets around here. The beach itself is popular with swimmers, walkers, and families on a day out. On a fine day, you’ll have plenty of company, but the walk from end to end is one of the nicest in Dublin, even if it's busy.

Planning tip: For refreshments at Killiney, drop into Fred & Nancy's – a popular snack and coffee stop, set in a gleaming Airstream caravan. 

2. Skerries, County Dublin

Best for a family day out near Dublin

Skerries is a scenic seaside village on the North Dublin coast, with two great beaches, North and South, wrapped around a narrow headland edged by offshore islands. With a mix of sand and pebbles, sheltered North Beach is good for swimming year-round, while the water can get rough at sandy South Beach on windy days – with kids, North Beach is usually the best bet.

Families are drawn here by waterside amusements, rock pools, a children's playground and easy coastal walks. After frolicking on the shore, head for a meal at seafood restaurant Stoop Your Head or family-friendly Blue Bar. 

Planning tip: Trains from Dublin run to Skerries station, a 20-minute walk from the beach; take the Dublin Bus to be dropped off closer to the sand.

The best beaches on Ireland's east coast

Beyond Dublin, the east coast blends into the southeast coast between Wexford and Cork, serving up more appealing beaches for beach fans who don't like to roam too far from urban comforts. 

3. Curracloe, County Wexford

Best for wildlife walks

Lifeguards on patrol daily in July and August draw swimmers to the pretty, dune-backed sands at Curracloe near Wexford. Long and lovely, the pale sands stretch for more than 11km, but swimmers focus on the patrolled area by White Gap. Facing towards England, the waters here are sheltered and Blue Flag rated. 

For a break from the sand, walking paths track the shoreline, entering the serene Raven Nature Reserve, which protects areas of coastal pine forest (home to red squirrels) and dune systems that provide a nesting site for little terns and other bird species. Curracloe was also a filming location for the beach landings in Saving Private Ryan.

Planning tip: See the Water Safety Ireland website for lifeguard timings at beaches across Ireland.

4. Inchydoney Beach, County Cork

Best beach near Cork

About 50km southwest of Cork, the island of Inchydoney is surrounded on three sides by a shallow bay hemmed by broad sands. Achingly scenic, the shoreline here is good for surfing, with mellow swells for beginners in summer, and more powerful waves in winter. The Inchydoney Surf School can help you find your feet. 

If boards aren't your thing, come for paddling, sand-castle-building, beach walks and relaxing away from the tourist bustle of Cork (Inchydoney is more of a locals' beach). The nearby village of Clonakilty is famed for its black pudding, but kids may be more interested in the West Cork Model Railway Village.

Planning tip: The Inchydoney Island Lodge is a good place to head for meals or drinks after a day on the beach.

The best beaches on the Wild Atlantic Way

Stretching for 2500km along the deeply indented west coast of Ireland, the Wild Atlantic Way passes some of the very best beaches in Ireland, some tucked into protected coves, and others exposed to the wild power of the North Atlantic. 

5. Keem Bay, Achill Island, County Mayo

Best beach for Blue Flag perfection

Perhaps the most garlanded of Irish beaches is this secluded crescent of golden sand at the western edge of Achill Island, to the north of Galway. Accessible by road, the beach is hemmed in on three sides by sections of the craggy Croaghaun Cliffs – the highest in Ireland – so you'll have to clamber down a steepish footpath to get to the beach itself.

Even allowing for the fickle weather and the moody Atlantic, Keem Bay is one of Europe’s most beautiful spots, its Blue Flag status barely doing justice to the stunning setting of it all. Coming by car will give you the freedom to pop back to nearby Keel (with its own sweeping beach) for refreshments.   

Local tip: The iconic Blue Flag marker denotes beaches, marinas and boating operators with high environmental standards. In Ireland, Keem Bay regularly tops the rankings – see the Beach Awards website for more Blue Flag beaches.

6. Trawmore Bay, Achill Island, County Mayo

Best for photographers

This beautiful Blue Flag beach forms a 4km-long crescent of gold between the villages of Keel and Dookinelly, on Achill Island’s western seaboard. It doesn’t get the oohs and aahs reserved for nearby Keem Bay, but this mix of sand and shingle is a beauty in its own right, and a popular spot for bodyboarders and surfers who test their skills in the Atlantic breakers.

Swimmers should stick to the Keel end as the currents are very strong. Trawmore is also one of the most photographed of all Irish beaches, especially from the vantage point of the Minaun Cliffs at the beach’s eastern end, which rise to a height of 466m – a perfect spot to catch the beach looking its best.

Planning tip: Achill Tourism provides information on walking and cycling, plus a wealth of tips on where to stay and the services available on the island.

7. Inch Strand, County Kerry

Best beach for surfers

This 5km-long sand spit extending into Dingle Bay is perhaps Ireland’s most famous beach, having starred in at least three blockbuster movies. But while Ryan’s Daughter (1970), Excalibur (1981), and Far and Away (1992) gave audiences a glimpse of its expansive beauty, you need to feel your feet in the sand to fully appreciate what a wondrous corner of County Kerry this really is.

Blue Flag-rated, the beach faces west, which means there’s good surf here. In summer, local surf schools are busy with beginners learning how to stay up on the waves, which can get as high as 3m. If surfing isn’t your thing, Inch is also a big birdwatching spot, and it's just as nice for a walk and a swim.

Planning tip: Reputable local surf schools include Kingdom Waves, which offers lessons at Inch and at nearby Banna Strand.

8. Banna Strand, County Kerry

Best for wild swimmers

The whole world knows about Inch Strand, but the huge Blue Flag beach at Banna Strand, about 13km northwest of Tralee, is very much a local favorite. On summer weekends – or anytime it’s not raining – folks from Tralee and around make their way here to walk along one of Ireland's longest beaches, stretching for 6km. 

Thanks to the warming waters of the Gulf Stream, swimming here shouldn't be dismissed, especially during the glorious, long days of September. But even if you don’t fancy getting into the water, there are stunning views from the 10m-high dunes. Look southwest to take in the glory of Mt Brandon and the Dingle Hills.

Detour: About 30km inland from Banna, Crag Cave was discovered in 1983, when problems with water pollution led to a search for the source of the local river. The first 300m of this 4km-long cave was opened to the public in 1989. On guided tours, you can view remarkable rock formations such as a stalagmite shaped like a statue of the Madonna.

9. Dog’s Bay and Gurteen Bay, County Galway

The scalloped coastline of Connemara is home to some gorgeous beaches, none more beautiful than the twin coves of the Errisbeg Peninsula, 3km west of Roundstone. Separated by a dog-bone-shaped sand spit and tombolo are bewitching Gurteen Bay and Dog’s Bay, made up of dazzling white sand.

Unlike other Irish beaches, the sands here are not formed from ground-up rock but from crushed seashells, which give the beaches a hint of the Caribbean. Both are fine spots for walking, enjoying the sand or swimming in the shelter of the headland.

Local tip: One of the best ways to explore the beautiful coastline here is out on the water on a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Contact Move with Nature for guided trips. 

10. Horn Head Peninsula, Dunfanaghy, County Donegal

Best off-the-beaten-track beach

In Gaelic, "trá mór" (or Tramore) means "big beach." While the country has more than a handful of beaches bearing this name, the secluded beach in the shadow of the Horn Head Peninsula is arguably the prettiest, with a broad sweep of white sand backed by pastures.

It takes a bit of effort to get there. From the arched bridge at the end of the inlet at Killahoey Beach (another looker), you'll have to clamber through the wind-blown dunes for about 15 minutes. Your reward is a 2km-long curve so isolated and beautiful that you’ll instinctively want to keep it all to yourself (and on most days, you can).

Planning tip: For a scenic walk inland, follow the Muckish Railway Trail to the south, following the path of a disused railway line. 

11. Ballymastocker Bay, County Donegal

Best beach for views

The golden beach at Ballymastocker Bay on the western shore of Lough Swilly stretches for almost 2km from the holiday village of Portsalon (which gives it its alternative name of Portsalon Beach). This Blue Flag beauty has wonderful views of the Inishowen Peninsula.

The beach itself is highly photogenic, too – it was once voted the second-most-beautiful beach in the world. As you come around the high headland on the R268 Knockalla coastal route, there’s a pull-off spot that offers a perfect view of the beach stretching right up to Portsalon.

Planning tip: For views over the whole of Ballymastocker Bay, follow the "Way of the Cross" path up the slopes of nearby Mt Knockalla. 

12. Streedagh Strand, County Sligo

Best beach for swimmers

Of Sligo’s enviably rich selection of fine beaches, curving, dune-backed Streedagh Strand is the preferred choice for those who actually fancy a swim. The beaches at Strandhill and Mullaghmore are fine for surfing, but Streedagh’s sheltered location in a semi-protected, calm bay makes it the swimmer’s choice.

The sand dunes at the back of the beach offer extra protection from the elements, providing a wind break while you dry off after a swim. On a clear day, there are unobstructed views to the north of the gorgeous mountains of Donegal.

Local tip: Offshore – and occasionally visible at low tide – are the remains of three ships that ran aground here when the Spanish Armada sailed for the British Isles in 1588.