Travel blogger and content creator Tara Povey spends her days jetting around the world, but home is always where the heart is – especially when it comes to Irish beaches. Here, she shares her top 10 picks of the best beaches in the country.
When I’m abroad, all I do is tell people how phenomenal Irish beaches are; I just don’t think people appreciate them enough. We may not be a tropical island, but we’re still an island – and on a sunny day our beaches are second to none.
Here are some of my favourite beaches around our beautiful coast.
Rosslare Strand, Wexford
This is one of my favourite beaches in Ireland, and I’m not just saying that because I live there. This blue flag sandy beach is perfect for a dip and has great facilities on site. If you stroll down far enough you’ll have the beach to yourself, even in the height of summer.
Silver Strand, Mayo
This secluded beach at the mouth of Killary Fjord is absolutely stunning, surrounded by hills and rolling sand dunes. The road to get there is a bit rough and there are no on-site facilities, but it is utterly worth a visit. The last time I was there I saw a grand total of two people, it felt like I’d travelled to the end of the world.
Glen Strand, Wicklow
Though pebbly, this beach is well sheltered making it great for a swim. It is also where the Glen Turn cliff walk starts. I recommend doing the 3.7km looped walk (keep an eye out for seals) before popping into the sea at Glen Strand for a cool down.
Ardmore Beach, Waterford
I visited Ardmore this summer and was blown away by how crystal clear the water was. The Hot Pod sauna is set up on the beach certain days of the week so you can go for a dip and then jump into the sauna to warm up. Grab some chips at Shipmates and go for a stroll along the cliff walk afterwards.
Ballymoney, Wexford
This sandy beach is one of the tidiest I’ve ever seen. The local community puts a lot of effort into keeping the beach clean and safe, which can be seen in their Green Coast and Blue Flag awards for the beach.
Tiny Hidden Beach, Dublin
I first discovered this incredible spot when I was doing the Howth Cliff walk. The trail down to the beach is steep and not for the faint of heart. However, it’s worth it when you get down there. There’s something about this beach that makes you feel like you’re not in Ireland anymore.
Keem, Mayo
It wouldn’t be an Irish beach list without Keem. Internationally acclaimed for good reason, this beach feels like a slice of paradise. Keep an eye out for giant basking sharks that were once hunted by local fishermen. Luckily that practice was stopped a long time ago.
Murder Hole, Donegal
We all know Donegal has some of the most rugged and remote beaches in Ireland. Murder Hole is hard to get to, but it makes up for it with sheer beauty. There’s a “secret” waterfall in the sea caves that blew up on social media. However, while it is stunning, it is very important to research the tides before attempting to reach it.
Ballybunion, Kerry
This beach is where I spent my childhood, so I had to give it a mention. It’s hard to top a long, sandy beach with castle ruins, caves to explore and beautiful cliff walks. I’m long overdue a trip back, so if you could just visit and let me live vicariously through you that would be great, thanks!
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Kilkee, Clare
This beach is perfect for a summer day out. It is one of the safest beaches on the west coast, with lifeguards on duty during peak season. Check out the Diamond Rocks Cafe for an ice cream sandwich the size of your face and then go for a stroll along the cliff walk.
I hope my list gave you some inspiration for any upcoming sunny days – it’s called manifesting, OK?! Now, go forth and spread the word of Ireland’s spectacular beaches because we do not get enough credit for them as a country.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ.