Pack your bucket and spade and enjoy a sizzling break at one of Ireland’s stunning Blue Flag Beaches.
With sun, sand, and sea – and lots of fun activities thrown in – a beach break is the perfect recipe for an action packed family holiday. Ireland has 74 Blue Flag beaches – so you have no shortage of clean, safe, sandy strands to choose from. Here are just a few ideas, courtesy of our friends at Discover Ireland.
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Surf’s up in Fundoran!
Bundoran, Co. Donegal is nick-named “Fundoran” with good reason. Apart from a stunning, sandy beach you can learn how to ride the waves with Donegal Adventure Centre and Bundoran Surf Company. For kids, Bundoran is heaven with the Waterworld complex on the seafront, and all the fun of the fair at Bundoran Adventure Park, with water-walking zorb balls, bumper cars, and a go karting track. A Taste of Donegal Food Festival is on from 23rd – 25th August.
Bring your trunks to Tramore!
Tramore, Co. Waterford, is an all-time family favourite with its famous sandy beach and long promenade. As well as a golden strand, Tramore has enough activities to keep big and little people happy. Try surfing, blowkarting and Nordic walking at one of the local sailing schools. Or terrify yourself on the Ferris Wheel at the Tramore Amusement Park. Splashworld Water Park and Run Amuck indoor play area are ideal options for the rainy days and the kids will love a visit to the Copper Coast Mini Farm. The Waterford Spraoi International Street Arts Festival takes place in nearby Waterford City from 2nd – 4th August.
Beach it up in Brittas Bay
Brittas Bay in Co. Wicklow is one of the finest beaches on the east coast, boasting a 5km stretch of golden, powdery sand. The huge dunes are home to a huge variety of interesting wildlife and plants and make for a perfect playground! A new addition is the Brittas Bay Surf School, and The European Club links golf course is ranked in the world top-100 courses by Golf (USA). The Arklow Seabreeze Festival promises lots of free entertainment for all the family from 19th – 21st July.
Discover Inchdoney
Inchydoney is a hidden gem nestled along the west Cork coastline alongside little ports, bays, inlets and harbours. It boasts beautiful long stretches of sandy strand with lots of space for team sport..So bring your hurley and football! Nearby Clonakilty has some of the best restaurants in Ireland and if its action you are seeking you can chase a wave withInchydoyney Surf School.
Splash out in Kilkee
Kilkee, Co. Clare is a semi-circular strand, nearly one mile in length. Pack your fishing gear and catch some mackerel for tea at Castle Point. Bring your clubs and tee off at Kilkee Golf & Country Club, or only a short drive away, the Greg Norman-designed Doonbeg Golf Course. Younger folk will love Kilkee Waterworld and the active teens can burn off energy with a course at Nevsail Watersports. The Cliff walk by Loop Head Lighthouse is stunning.
Sizzle in Sligo
Slap on the sunscreen and soak up the sun on the long sandy beach in Enniscrone, Co. Sligo. An ideal bathing spot, this is also a great place to learn to surf with The Seventh Wave Surf School or the North West Surf School providing lessons for all ages and levels. For a special treat, Mum or Dad can escape for a soak in a luxurious bath steeped in seaweed oil at Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths. Pack up the whole family and pop over to Bartra Island for a picnic with Moy Estuary Boat Trip’s, who will also bring you sea fishing. If the rain comes, visit the Waterpoint Aqua Centre in nearby Enniscrone for some indoor fun. The Enniscrone Black Pig Festival will be bursting with family fun from 8th – 12th August.
Splash out in Salthill
Salthill, Galway city, boasts Ireland’s longest promenade and a golden half-mile of amusements and restaurants. Ladies Beach is sandy with shallow water ideal for younger kids to paddle in, while thrill-seekers can take a plunge from the diving platforms at Blackrock. Nearby is Leisureland with an indoor pool and a 65m long water-slide. Get nose-to-nose with fascinating sea creatures at the Atlantaquaria sea life centre. Don’t miss Galway Arts Festival running from 15th – 28th July.
To plan your perfect family beach break visit www.discoverireland.ie/beaches
