Travel


Home Page > Travel > Ireland’s top seaside vacation locations - villages and beaches not to miss - SEE PHOTOS

Ireland’s top seaside vacation locations - villages and beaches not to miss - SEE PHOTOS

Top spots around Ireland’s coast for the perfect family vacation filled with ‘craic agus ceol’

By
BERNIE MALONE,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer
Published Friday, January 21, 2011, 4:45 AM
Updated Friday, January 21, 2011, 4:47 AM

print this article Print
email this articleE-mail
comment on article 4 Comments
 

Lahinch, County Clare
Lahinch, County Clare


This beautiful town in the heart of Yeats country is officially a Mecca for surfers. Miles of untamed beach, beautiful rocky exposure. It is located just at the foot of Knocknarea, just kilometers from Sligo town and close to Sligo airport that connects with Dublin. Strandhill is also a great spot for golf, seaweed baths and has some great pubs and restaurants.

Clifden, County Galway

Located in the north west of County Galway in the heart of Connemara this small seaside town feels untouched, despite its popularity with tourists. The town is packed with its own entertainment but Clifden is also a great spot to use as a based when exploring the area. Some top things to check out include the Beach Road walk, Connemara National Park and Derrygimla Bog.

Cape Clear, County Cork

This spot is a bit different but definitely worth the extra effort. Cape Clear is an island, just a 45 minute boat trip from Schull in west Cork. It is Ireland’s most southern island and has a population of just 120. The island is 1.5 miles wide and 3 miles long. This is a natural paradise and actually has a slightly better climate than the rest of Ireland.

Dungarvan, County Waterford

Nestled beneath the Comeragh Mountains in Waterford is a thriving seaside market town, Dungarvan. The town over looks the beautiful Dungarvan Bay and is a wonderful spot to spend some time while exploring the beauty of the south east coast.

Curracloe, County Wexford

Although Wexford’s coastline is peppered with wonderful beaches Curracloe has a great reputation as a safe bathing spot. The area has been developed around the beach as a spot for visitors to enjoy. There are also great activities surrounding the beach such as horse rides along the beach, fishing and water sports. Just north of this beach is where the opening scenes for “Saving Private Ryan” were shot.

What other coastal spots have we left out?

SEE PHOTOS - Ireland's top seaside spots

Last page < 1 2
​
Nster.com
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail


4 Comments

See all comments

oldboreen | Jan 22, 2011, 12:39 PM EST
When you're in Galway,you can really feel that you're on the most westerly shore of Europe-magical!.You might still hear the old expression- 'next parish Boston!' Ireland isn't really about beaches-the weather seldom allows for long afternoons in the sun!-it's much more about the breathtaking variety of coastline-all around Ireland, but particularly in the wild west.When the sun does shine, the beaches compare with any in Europe.

Report abuse

LoveDoolin | Jan 22, 2011, 08:25 AM EST
Surprised Kilkee, Co. Clare didn't make the list. This is a jewel of a seaside town, with beautiful beaches and rocky cliffs.

Report abuse

KerryLKing | Jan 21, 2011, 03:06 PM EST
How about the vast exspanse of Inch Beach by Dingle??? Or the beautiful beach below the cliffs near Dunquinn, Dingle Penninsula??

Report abuse

tomdowling | Jan 21, 2011, 12:07 PM EST
You're forgetting Barley Cove at the end of Dunmanus Bay. Perhaps the BEST beach in Ireland

Report abuse

 


IrishCentral on Twitter


Log into IrishCentral with your Facebook account

or sign-in directly

E-Mail:
Password:
 Remember me Forgot my password
Not a member? Register Now!
print this article Print
email this articleE-mail