Hi Everyone. So last week we took a tour of my favorite Irish gardens. This week I’m turning my attention to Irish beaches. One of my favorite pastimes is walking and for me there’s nothing like a good beach walk to blow away the cobwebs. With our stunning coastline, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to beaches. Obviously a definitive list is impossible but the following is a list of my personal favorites and I’ve been lucky enough to walk them all. So let’s get on the coast road!
Lulu’s Top 8 Irish Beaches
1. Murlough Strand County Down
We’ll start in the north of Ireland and the stunning Murlough Strand in county Down. Perfectly placed at the foot of the mighty Mourne Mountains, it is backed by an ancient dune system which is now a National Nature Reserve and a haven for birds and hundreds of species of butterflies.
2. Portstewart Strand, County Derry
Heading right up to the far north of the country now to the awesome seemingly never-ending Portstewart Strand. Two miles of golden beach await you at this award-winning beach near the lovely town of the same name. The dunes here are particularly impressive and in the summer time they are brimming with wildflowers. For all you golf fans, this is also the home of Portstewart Golf Club, one of the most impressive links courses in Ireland.
3. Kinnagoe Bay Donegal
Crossing over into county Donegal now and the Kinnagoe Bay on the stunning Inishowen Peninsula. A steep cliff drops down onto golden sands washed clean by the mighty Atlantic. Kinnagoe is most noteworthy for being the place where the Spanish Armada ship La Trinidad Valencera was shipwrecked on 16 September 1588.
4. Silver Strand, Malinbeg Donegal
Staying in county Donegal (there are so many beautiful beaches here!) and the beautiful Silver Stand in Malinbeg. This stunning horseshoe bay with it’s sandy white strand and bottomless blue waters is such a treat. Descend the many stone steps and find yourself wrapped in majestic cliffs with exceptional views.
5. Streedagh Beach Sligo
So if I HAD to pick a favorite of all the Irish beaches, it would have to be Streedagh Strand. That’s probably because Sligo is a very special place for me and I spend as much time as I can in this part of the world. This has to be my favorite beach walk too. An endless strand with the crashing waves of the Atlantic on one side and the mighty Benbulben mountain providing the perfect backdrop.
The Streedagh Aran Gilet
Some Aran knitwear is always a good idea when going for a bracing walk on an Irish beach! The Streedagh Aran gilet is the perfect keep warm layer for him.
6. Mulranny Beach Mayo
Next we’ll head further down the west coast into county Mayo and Mulranny beach. And what a beach! Golden sands, Atlantic waves and a rare saltwater marsh nearby. There’s also spectacular views across Clew Bay to Clare Island.
7. Derrynane Beach Kerry
We’re going to head all the way down to the Kingdom of Kerry now to continue our tour of Irish beaches. To choose a favorite beach in this part of the world is an almost impossible task but Derrynane beach near of the village Caherdaniel is truly stunning. We love it so much here at The Irish Store that we named one of our Aran cardigans after it.
The Derrynane Aran Coat
8. Barleycove Beach West Cork
Crossing over the border now to county Cork and the last stop on this week’s road trip. Some say this is the most beautiful beach in Ireland and it’s easy to see why. It’s believed the impressive sand dunes here were caused by a tsunami in Lisbon in 1755 resulting in 15 foot waves at this part of the Irish coast. To walk this beach on a fine West Cork summer day is sheer bliss.
Well there ends this week’s journey around Ireland. I hope you’ll join me for further adventures next week.
Until then…
Slán go fóill!
Lulu.
