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Life

08th Apr 2015

Beaches be like…beautiful in Ireland. Here are five of the best

We've got some stunning sand-pits by the sea

Eric Lalor

We’ve got some stunning sand-pits by the sea.

Yeah, you could say we’ve been influenced by the mild temperatures of the last few days. The rise in temperatures has us thinking of heat, water and sand in every orifice.

We think of beaches, we think of other countries and balmy days of lazing about doing nothing. It should be noted that Ireland is home to some spectacularly beautiful beaches.

In no particular order:

1. Ballybunion 

Home to the fantastic Ballybunion Golf Club, this Kerry town is also the part-time holiday home to one William Jefferson Clinton.

The beaches here cater for people who just want to chill and also the more action-seeking surfer.

Ballybunion Golf Club

Surrounded by cliffs and caves, this is a beach that ticks all the boxes and is deserving of your custom some time.

2. Brittas Bay

Situated in Wicklow, this is simply one of the best beaches we have on the east coast.

It’s had an EU blue flag award for the past five years, so you know it’s in good nick.

brittas-bay

Brittas has a two mile/3.2km stretch of powdery sand and sand dunes. The dunes themselves are huge and we defy anyone not to have the craic running down them very fast and falling spectacularly.

3. Inchydoney Beach

One of many gems in West Cork, Inchdoney Beach is a piece of wet sandy perfection.

On the outskirts of Clonakilty, this is another Blue Flag beach.

inchydoney

It’s got everything that makes a good beach. Family-friendly, expansive sand areas, beautiful dunes and top-class surfing conditions.

Best thing about this beach is that when you leave it, you are still in West Cork. Heaven on earth.

4. Keem Bay, Achill Island

One of our more remote beaches, but no less beautiful. Keem Bay is situated on the west of Achill Island just past Dooagh village.

It is a sheltered beach so offers great snorkeling opportunities.

keembay

It really is a spectacular location being overlooked on the north by Croaghuan which contains the highest cliffs in Europe.

5. Tullan Strand, Donegal

This beach can be found in the popular seaside resort that is Bundoran. It is a surfer’s paradise.

Fantastic waves ensure that this is a hugely popular beach with the surfing community.

tullanstrand

It measures approximately 2km long and you can see the Sligo/Leitrim mountains nearby. Backed by a plethora of sand dunes, this is a very picturesque beach.