Six Spectacular Irish Beaches to Visit on Staycation

Irish beaches are lauded as some of the best in the world. Time and again, they feature at the top of international Lonely Planet and Tripadvisor lists and are visited by tens of thousands of tourists each year. 

Well luckily for us, most of these world-renowned beaches are just a hop, skip, and a couple of hours drive away! So whether you're heading to Cork, Kerry, or Galway this summer, be sure to check out one of these gorgeous spots:

Inchydoney Beach - Clonakilty, Co. Cork

Inchydoney Beach is located near Clonakilty in West Cork, on a small island of the same name. Popular with holiday-makers, locals, and watersports enthusiasts alike, this huge Blue Flag beach is considered one of the most family-friendly and beautiful beaches in all of Cork.

Vast expanses of sand and dunes provide excellent surfing conditions. There are lifeguards on duty in the summer months. There is also a public car park and toilets and access via ramps and steps.

Banna Strand - Tralee Bay, Co. Kerry

Banna Strand is situated in Tralee Bay. Offering incredible views of the Dingle Peninsula and Kerry Head, a walk on this beach is a great, alternative way of enjoying Kerry's spectacular scenery, without having to climb any mountains!

It also boasts a couple of surf schools and rental shops, a restroom, and a large car park. Located approximately 12km northwest of Tralee, it's only a quick drive from all of the town's amenities. 

Claycastle Beach - Youghal, Co. Cork

Claycastle beach is located close to Youghal and is a continuation of Front Strand. It can be accessed via a wheelchair-friendly boardwalk that takes you along the Front Strand shoreline to this quieter, sandy beach. 

Relax on the boardwalk benches and take in the views, or continue on your walk to reach the gorgeous Redbarn beach just around the corner. 

A lifeguard is on duty at Claycastle during bathing season and the beach also has a public toilet, large car park, and holiday home rentals nearby.

Dog's Bay Beach - Roundstone, Co. Galway

Dog's Bay is one of two beaches that lie on either side of a tombolo in Connemara. Famed for its calm, turquoise waters and fine white sand, Dog's Bay often tops the list of best Irish beaches. 

The car park is quite small. Be mindful to not park along the access road, as this can cause traffic obstructions. 

The nearby village of Roundstone is full of charm and family-run establishments that offer rooms with views and fresh seafood dishes.

Roberts Cove - near Carrigaline, Co. Cork

A real hidden gem, Roberts Cove beach is one of the most adored rural seaside spots in Cork. And it's only a 20-minute drive from Carrigaline, too.

It's not huge, sure, but the views from its sheltered bay are second to none. There's a scuba dive centre here too if you fancy trying your hand at something more adventurous. 

Camp Beach - near Tralee, Co. Kerry

Camp Beach is located in the small village of Camp in County Kerry. It is a golden sandy beach, popular with both swimmers and walkers. 

Visitors praise its quiet, rural location on the stunning Dingle Peninsula. Just look at that sunset! This photo was taken when the tide was out - the beach is actually quite big and connects to others in the area, such as Derrymore beach to the east. 

To learn more about the facilities and locations of these beaches, browse the Attractions tab of the Xplore Local App.