Beach Holidays in Ireland

What does a beach holiday mean to you? We took a straw poll around the office and it’s interesting to find out just what the beach holiday favourites are.  For those of us with a nostalgic streak a beach holiday is set in a UK seaside resort with a long sandy beach, brightly coloured wind breaks, a picnic lunch, bracing dips in the waves and hunting for sea-life in rock pools. For the sun-seekers it’s a baking, busy Spanish beach with guaranteed sunshine, warm seas and siestas. For the romantics or wild at heart it’s a stroll along a deserted beach alongside crashing waves and dramatic sea cliffs.

Many of the well known seaside resorts and beaches in the UK have been family beach favourites for decades – Brighton, Scarborough, Morecombe Bay, Blackpool, Newquay, Great Yarmouth, Bournmouth to name but a few. But how many of us would think of taking a beach holiday in Ireland? Ireland has over 3000 miles of stunning coastline and more than 80 beaches; from golden sands to pebbled coves. And many are a well kept local secret so you won’t be fighting for space for your towel!

Planning Your Irish Beach Holiday

Before we look at where to find the best beaches in Ireland it’s worth considering what to look for in your beach holiday destination.  For most of us a beach holiday is a family holiday and it’s important to find something to suit all the kids – both big and small.  The smaller kids are happy just playing in the sand or paddling at the shoreline, but bigger kids might need more to do such as beach games or sea and surf activities. The Irish seaside has lots to offer – from learning to surf or body surfing, swimming, snorkelling, diving, sailing and even jet skiing. 

You’ll need to decide what facilities you want from your beach. If you’re happy for some back to basics seaside fun then it’ll be more about the beach itself than whether there’s somewhere to wash off the sand, access to a loo or a cafe for a cuppa or a meal.  Do you need seaside entertainment like the pier, arcades or fun fairs or are you more interested in strolling around a picturesque fishing village.

A very important factor is sea safety - the tides and currents. If you’re happy paddling in the shallows on the beach edge then most beaches will be fine but if you plan to swim or think that the kids might want to sail out in the dingy then it’s vital to understand how strong and swift the tides and currents are as it’s easy to get caught out.  It’s best to ask the local lifeguards or coastguard. Most beaches have very good information boards that will help you decide how best to enjoy a safe day at the beach.

And finally – what to pack.  Hopefully sea and sand go hand in hand with the sun so you’ll need to pack sun block and sun lotion especially if you have young kids. Don’t forget the sunglasses, sun hats and some long sleeved T-shirts for cover ups if the sun gets too much.  Take plenty to drink – it’s easy to dehydrate. Towels, a change of dry clothes, beech shoes and some games or books are essential.

So you’re ready to go… here are some great Irish beaches for you to try.

Best of Irish Beaches

Portrush is one of Northern Ireland’s top seaside destinations. It has two beaches to choose from the West Strand Beach and the East Strand Beach. The West Strand is a long sandy beach that slopes gently into the sea – plenty of room for everyone. This sheltered seaside resort has great facilities for the traditional beach holiday and also boasts stunning scenery both on and offshore. The East Strand with its large sand dunes backs onto the Royal Portrush Golf Course and is a popular surf beach.

Wicklow is Ireland’s sunshine county and it’s here that you’ll find Brittas Bay.  The Bay shelters this long sandy beach and the whole area is dominated by the Brittas Bay dune which cover over 100 hectares.  If you’re looking for more than just sun and sand from your beach holiday you’ll find some beautiful landscapes and wildlife in the Special Area of Conservation.

Moving south you’ll find the beautiful blue flag beach of Ballyheigue in County Kerry. The sands run 2 miles south from the lively resort of Ballyheigue and there are stunning views out across Tralee Bay. This is a great beach for families as it is patrolled by lifeguards during the holiday season.

Mullaghroe, County Mayo, is on the west coast of Ireland. This blue flag beach is great for a more adventurous seaside holiday with swimming, sailing and surfing. It’s more exposed location on the west coast makes it a perfect beach for coastal walks and bird watching.

And one final thought – make the most of your beach holiday with a beach front holiday cottage, that way the fun and sun of the beach will be just a short walk away.