The places, most named first
From the 8 guides that rank for "best beaches in ireland"
Named by 3 of 81. Inch BeachA golden beach of about five kilometres on the Dingle Peninsula, with mountains behind.A Blue Flag beach watched by lifeguards in summer, popular with swimmers, families and surfers.
Named by 2 of 82. Keem BeachTook the top spot in an Irish Mirror ranking of Google reviews, with 1,504 five-star reviews.Basking sharks can be seen here.
Named by 2 of 83. Silver Strand (Mayo)A secluded beach at the mouth of Killary Fjord with sand dunes; the road is rough and there are no facilities.Ranked sixth in the Google-review ranking.
Named by 2 of 84. BallybunionA long sandy beach with castle ruins, caves to explore and cliff walks.Mentioned by Sandee for its pristine waters.
5. Barleycove BeachSandy beach on Mizen Head, the most southwesterly area of Ireland, often ranked among the most beautiful.Reachable only by car, about 120 km from Cork, with free parking.
6. Ballinskelligs BeachA Blue Flag beach with lifeguards in the main season, safe for swimming and popular with families.Sits on the Skellig Ring, near a ruined castle and a 15th-century priory.
7. Minard BeachA boulder beach unlike the others on the list, off the main Dingle route.
8. Coumeenoole BeachSecond in the Google-review ranking with 1,352 five-star reviews; part of the Ring of Kerry.
9. Silver Strand (Glencolmkille)Third in the Google-review ranking with 760 five-star reviews.
10. Kinnagoe BayOn the Inishowen Peninsula, fourth in the ranking with 298 five-star reviews.
11. Ballymastocker Beach (Portsalon)Fifth in the ranking with 287 five-star reviews.
12. Carrowmore BeachSeventh in the ranking with 151 five-star reviews.
13. Ballydowane BeachThe first beach on the east coast in the top ten, eighth with 143 five-star reviews.
14. Fermoyle StrandNinth in the Google-review ranking with 123 five-star reviews.
15. Dooey BeachTenth in the Google-review ranking with 102 five-star reviews.
16. Rosslare StrandA Blue Flag sandy beach good for a dip, with facilities; walk further for space even in summer.
17. Glen StrandPebbly but well sheltered, good for a swim, and the start of the Glen Turn cliff walk.
18. Ardmore BeachDescribed as having very clear water, with a cliff walk nearby.
19. BallymoneyA sandy beach kept clean by the community, with Green Coast and Blue Flag awards.
20. KilkeeOne of the safest beaches on the west coast, with lifeguards in peak season.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name April to May and September as the best time to visit Ireland.
Questions people ask
- Does Ireland have sandy beaches?
- Yes. Inch Beach in Kerry is a golden stretch of sand about five kilometres long, and Barleycove in Cork is also sandy.
- What is the prettiest beach in Ireland?
- Keem Beach on Achill Island topped an Irish Mirror ranking of Google reviews; Inch Beach is also called the best by many.
- Is it ever warm enough to swim in Ireland?
- Ireland has a mild oceanic climate with abundant rainfall, so it is not a top beach destination; one reviewer calls Inch Beach water freezing.
