If Ireland isn’t the first place on your list when you’re planning an exotic beach getaway, maybe it should be. The country may be well known for its gorgeous countryside, but it also has a number of beautiful beaches that you should definitely take the time to explore when you’re visiting the Emerald Isle. Which beaches you want to visit will probably depend at least in part on what areas of Ireland you intend to visit, but rest assured that you will have no problem finding one of the best beaches in Ireland no matter where you visit. Here are just a few of Ireland’s beaches you should spend some time on if you have the chance.
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Murvagh Beach. If you’re vacationing with small children, Murvagh Beach in County Donegal is a terrific choice. The beach has warm, calm waters and is lifeguard-patrolled during swimming season in the summer time. The water is so warm because the tide has to come in over a large stretch of shallow sandbanks. That means that it’s not the best place for adult swimming most of the time, but if you want a beach where your kids can play in shallow water, this is definitely the one. It’s also a great place for a picnic. When you’ve had enough sun and sand for the day, head into Donegal Town and visit some of the attractions there. The Donegal Castle or the Railway Museum are both good place to start.
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Inchydoney Beach. For a gorgeous County Cork beach that’s safe for swimming and located near a great beach town, you couldn’t do much better than Inchydoney Beach. The beach is family-friendly, but is also great for a romantic stroll in the evening. If you’re interested in surfing, the beach is popular with both local and visiting surfers, and there is a small surf school on Inchydoney that has a well-established reputation for helping beginners catch their first waves. The nearby town of Clonakilty has excellent pubs, a fun to explore railway village, and a terrific food market every Friday.
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Brittas Bay. Located in County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland, Brittas Bay Beach is known for its powdery sand and its grasslands. The sand dune system is fascinating because of the rare local species that you can find living in the area. If you like sailing, the water here is very conducive to smooth and uncomplicated sailing trips. It’s also a great place for swimming. If you get your fill of sand and surf, but still want something to do in the sunshine, there are a couple of excellent golf clubs nearby. This is also a great area to just take a drive and soak up the scenery.
These are just a few of the dozens of Ireland beaches that are available for visitors to the country to explore. You could probably spend an entire Ireland vacation just visiting beaches and beach towns in the country.
