The Wild Atlantic Way boasts more than 63 Blue Flag beaches along its 2,500km of coastline. You’ll find every kind of beach here.
Tucked away in the nooks and crannies of the Atlantic Coast, are any number of unspoilt hidden gems where you can enjoy a little peace and quiet. Here’s our top five!
Furbo’s Secret Beach, Galway
Furbo Beach is always popular, but did you know even Furbo Beach has it’s own secret beach? The beauty spot, also known as Furbough, is hidden away off the Galway coast on the roadside just before Furbo village.
To find this more secluded beach, just get to Pádraicín’s Bar and Restaurant and on the other side of this is a little road leading down to a secret beach. Go down this road past three houses and right at the end you will find this secret beach. The magnificent beach has recently been marked as a safe spot for swimming and the water quality marked as excellent.
White Strand, Clare
Everyone has heard of Lahinch Beach, but just 30-minutes south of this lies the more secluded White Strand in Doonbeg.
Not only does the beach have a Blue Flag Award, but it is also in a designated natural heritage area of ecological importance and also a special area of conservation so it’s an unspoiled wonder.
The beach area is sheltered on both sides by the low rocky rugged cliffs that frame the strand. The view from White Strand beach looks across to Doughmore Strand which is a very popular surfing, swimming and family beach. The beach at White Strand and surrounding coastline are also popular with fishing enthusiasts.
Trá Bán, Kerry
Trá Bán means ‘white beach’ in Irish, and if the sun shines on your trip to the Great Blasket Island, you’ll see why.
Whilst it is the only beach on the island its remote nature means it never gets busy. You will often get a chance to enjoy the golden sand and views back to Dingle by yourself before heading off to explore the island.
You get there by boat, so pray for sunshine, look out for dolphins, whales, basking shark, seals and birdlife along the way!
Murder Hole Beach, Donegal
Named the coolest place in the world by National Geographic, this beach is off the beaten track. You will find this mysteriously named beach 10 minutes from Downings, Co Donegal.
Until April 2022 this beach was only accessible across private land. Thanks to a local initiative there is now a car park and trail to the beach. The trail involves several steep climbs but for those of moderate fitness the trek is well worth while.
From the cliffs behind as you hike down to the beach, you will get an incredible view of the beach below with the wild Atlantic waves crashing on the shore.
The untouched scenery is spectacular and this beach remains a mystery.
If you plan on visiting Murder Hole beach, the hike is known to be very difficult, and swimming is not advised on the beach because of strong rip currents.
Cliffoney Beach, Sligo
Situated near the popular surfing spot of Mullaghmore, is a little-known hidden gem, especially if you’d like to get out onto the waves with your board.
Cliffoney is a pleasant village in one of the most scenic parts of the North West of Ireland. Cliffoney is just 25KMs from Sligo Town and 8KMs South of Bundoran in County Donegal. A vast, unspoiled sandy beach stretches out in front of you for miles with views of Mullaghmore and Classiebawn Castle to the north.
Due to strong tides, swimming is not advised but its conditions are perfect for surfing, and the fabulous views will deliver postcard perfect pictures. It’s a little gem.
