You can spend a whole day and more in this place. The park is around 1200 acres and includes a variety of habitats. There are  beaches (yes plural) sand dunes, variety of habitats, salt marshes, salt water lakes, rock face and coniferous and deciduous woodlands. There are several trails for walkers to enjoy, namely, […]

Ballyhiernan Beach ((Fanad Peninsula Co. Donegal)  is a long sandy beach, backed by sand dunes, with Rinboy Point to the West and Rinmore Point to the East.  The beach is popular with surfers and great for beach walks. It is a Discovery Point on the Wild Atlantic Way. Ballyhiernan Bay is divided into 3 smaller […]

Along the coast from the more famous Ballyheirnan Bay is Ballyhooriskey and Sessiagh Bays. These quiet beaches look out towards the tip of the Rosguill peninsula and on a clear day you can see Horn Head in the distance. Accessibility Fairly easy with a short climb down a grass bank. The road passes alongside the […]

Ballymastocker Bay (Fanad Peninsula) Portsalon, Co. Donegal,  is a long sandy beach, which stretches for over a mile,  on the western shore of Lough Swilly. It stretches from Portsalon to the Knockalla Hills and was once voted second most beautiful beach in the world by readers of a UK newspaper. There is a wonderful view […]

This spectacular beach is on the Rosguill Peninsula,  County Donegal, Ireland. When the tide is in there are two beaches, which merge into one when the tide is out. The wild waters may also be responsible for the bay’s nickname “The Murder Hole”.  There is an  island roughly 15 meters from the shore, called Rough […]

Braade strand is a smaller beach close to it’s larger neighbour Carrickfinn Beach. It is a tidal plain but offers a long beach walk on low tide. The beach has scenic views across the bay to Gweedore. Accessibility Easy from roadside parking on flat grassland. Weather

Bundoran is a classic Seaside town . Golden, Blue Flag beach, fun fair, water park, amusements and more. It is also a surfers paradise that is world renowned for its wealth of surfing breaks – both beach and reef and now hosts five I.S.A. approved Surfing schools with all inclusive packages. Enjoy the cliffside walk […]

Carrickfinn Bach  is situated in the beautiful Gweedore Bay right behind  Donegal Airport, which has been voted second most scenic landing strip in the world. The beach is a long stretch of white sand beach backed by sand dunes. The beach currently has Blue Flag status. It is also known as Dunmore Strand. It offers […]

There are two beaches here. Both are beautiful spots surrounded by rock formations and offer sheltered bathing. The roads to these hidden gems have been improved in recent years and one has a parking area. This is a great place to spend a day, forget your worries and enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way at its […]

Cornashamma Bay, also known locally as “Sweet Nellie”due to the rock formations. This is a secluded beach approximately a mile south of Inishowen (Stroove) lighthouse and near Greencastle. It is set into the Inishowen Peninsula close outside the entrance to Lough Foyle. Accessibility Easy from parking area with limited spaces. Weather Forecast

The Island is surrounded by beaches and beauty spots to enjoy. We have highlighted some of them in the photographs. Spend a day exploring this place, Cruit Island has a strong musical heritage. Local musician Seán McBride wrote the famous Irish ballad “The Homes of Donegal” in 1955. Cruit is connected to the mainland at […]

Crummies Bay is a cove inlet, just north of Dunree Fort and nestled beneath Dundree Head. It is a sheltered beach. The beach is popular with surfers. Accessibility Relatively easy. A short walk from the road along a fenced path through a field. Limited parking on the road Weather

Culdaff beach is a long sandy beach with rock formations located on the Inishowen Peninsula.  It is very popular in the summer time. It is next to Bonagee Pier, where you can find chartered fishing trips, or boat trips to search for dolphins, sharks and whales. Culdaff Beach is popular with surfers, with a number […]

A hidden gem of a beach that is easy to miss travelling from Glenties to Dungloe in Co Donegal. Long sandy beach with sand dunes. There is a surf school here called Wild Atlantic Surf School. Accessibility A short walk through the sand dunes from the roadway with limited parking in a small car park […]

Drumnatinny Beach is located approx 3km north of Falcarragh Town. The 4.5km long sandy beach is safe for swimming on the western side. The beach is also known as the Back Strand or Falcarragh Beach. The beach has recently been awarded Green Coast status because of the purity of the water. From the beach you […]

Carrickfinn Peninsula is surrounded by beautiful golden strands. Most visitors will visit the Carricfinn beach to the West of Donegal Airport. If you continue North on the peninsula you will pass the long Braade Strand to the East of the airport and at the tip of the peninsula is the quieter and lovely Dunmore Strand. […]

Fahan Beach and marina sit at the start of the Inishowen Peninsula, 5km south of Buncrana.  This is a lovely spot to to enjoy the quiet of a beach walk. Often missed by visitors heading towards Inishowen’s better know attractions. In Irish, Fahan is named after a patron saint, Saint Mura, first abbot of Fahan, […]

Fintra beach is just a few kilometres from Killybegs, Ireland’s premier fishing port. This blue flag beach has a long golden strand, rock formations and sand dunes. Perfect for a circular walk along the beach and along the pathway in the sand dunes. This long sandy beach stretches approximately 1km along the bay and is […]

On the opposite side of Trawbreaga Bay, north of the Bar Mouth lies this beautiful secluded beach called Five Fingers Strand. (Malin) There is a lovely drive to this beach past a church nestled in the hillside. The Long golden beach takes its unusual name from the five long black sea-stacks that protrude from the […]

Overlooked by Glen Head is this lovely beach the south west corner of Co Donegal. Sometimes referred to as Dooey Beach. The beach is opposite the Glencolmcille Folk Village and en-route to Malin Beg beach, also featured on this web site. Accessibility Short walk from the Folk Village car park with pathway to the beach. […]

Holmes Beach is a couple of miles from Donegal Town. Locals know the beach but it is not so well known by visitors who are lured to the more famous blue flag beaches at Murvagh and Rossnowlagh. The beach is a bit rocky in parts but still has good stretches of golden sand. Accessibilty Easy […]

Keadue beach is situated between the fishing ports of Kincasslagh and Burtonport. Access to the beach is opposite Keadue Rovers football ground (Central Park). The famous Irish footballer, Packie Bonner, began his career with Keadue Rovers. The long stretch of sand extends around the headland towards the strands at Cloughglass (also on this web site). […]

This is a golden sandy beach near Dunfanaghy (also known as Dunfanaghy Beach) in the northern coast of Donegal.  It is safe for swimming, and for all water sports. It is a blue Flag beach and during the summer months there are life guards on duty throughout the day. The beach is over 1km long […]

Kinnagoe Bay is a secluded and popular beach in Inishowen, Co. Donegal. There is a scenic drive to the beach and a small car park at the beach which is busy during the summer. The bay is known for being the location of the wreck of the Armada ship La Trinidad Valencera on 16 September […]

Another Donegal secret. This beach sits on the scenic drive between Rathmullan and Port Salon and is easily missed. It is overlooked by the beautiful Drumhalla House that is popular as a wedding location and the beach is often used for wedding photographs. Accessibility Easy from the roadway but very little parking. Weather Forecast

Lenan Bay (also known as Lenan Beach and Leenakeel Bay Beach is a secluded area reached by a drive through rugged mountains. It is a beautiful spot that is another hidden gem in Co Donegal. The parking lot on the beach is also the starting point for various hiking tours into the Urris Hills. Accessibility […]

As you enter Buncrana you pass the beaches at Lisfannon and Buncrana which are situated on the banks of Lough Swilly and overlooking the Fanad peninsula. These long beaches are popular for swimming and walking.  Lisfannon is a Blue Flag beach. Accessibility Easy from the car parks along the roadway. Weather Forecast

Just south of Inishowen Head lighthouse and the popular Stroove beach is a quieter but equally lovely beach known locally as Little White Bay. Accessibility Easy from the roadside along a pathway but no parking so best to park at Stroove beach and walk the few hundred yards back. Weather Forecast

If you want somewhere quiet with hardly any visitors, go to Loughros Head.  It is a sandy beach with streams and rockpools. Children will play here for hours exploring the beach. It is quite an exposed beach with reliable surf. Accessibility Easy from roadway but limited parking Weather Forecast

Maghera Beach is beside Slievetooey Mountain and its 20 caves, arches and tunnels. Some of these are accessible at low tide. A long golden beach stretches into the bay and is suitable for bathing but beware of the high tides and currents. At low tide there are many splash pools that are safe for children. […]

This beautiful beach is the best known in the Gweedore area of Donegal. Stranded on the beach is the wreck of Bád Eddie (Eddie’s boat). It has has been here since the 1970’s and is one of the best known landmarks in Donegal, having been featured in  music videos and  as the backdrop for many […]

Magheroarty Beach is a long arch of sandy beach with views to the nearby islands of Inishbofin and Tory to one side and the headland of Horn Head to the other.  There is a passenger ferry to Tory Island which  leaves from the pier. This is one of Donegal’s most pristine sandy beaches that seems […]

A sandy beach south of Dungloe in a lovely village setting. Scenic ocean views. A great spot for a picnic and to take in the Atlantic air. Local pub and coffee shop near beach. Accessibility Easy from car park but limited parking. Weather Forecast

Marble Hill Beach is a long, golden and beautiful beach.  It is a 1.7 mile loop trail located neards Ards. At high tide it is split into two different sections.The smaller beach which is separated from Marblehill strand as the tide comes in is called Tracarbad which translates as Chariot Beach. Small watercraft are traditionally […]

Melmore Beach is situated on the Rosguill Peninsula. This golden beach has lovely views across the bay to the Fanad Peninsula. This is one of only two beaches on the peninsula that is accessible to visitors. Accessibility Easy from the road alongside the beach but parking is limited. Weather Forecast

Most visitors come to Mountcharles Pier and the scenic walk along the sea front. There are a few stretches of sandy shore but if you walk away from the far end of the pier (see Longtitude / Latitude settings) along the shore you discover a sandy beach that few people visit , except some locals […]

There are two beaches here. One is known as trá na nglór and is only accessible through private land This beach is popular with surfers. The other beach known as trá bán has a car park and direct access and is more suitable as a family beach. The drive here is scenic along a narrow […]

A lovely beach for walking and a paddle but not safe for bathing. Well worth a visit and much less busy than the popular Carrickfinn beach. Enjoy the sound of the crashing waves and the golden sand. Walk along the headland to see sheltered inlets and the waves crashing on the rocks. Accessibility Easy from […]

Murvagh is a blue flag beach in South Donegal. The long sandy beach is flanked by sand dunes and forestry.  It issafe for bathing and lifeguard patrolled in the Summer season. It is only a few miles from Donegal Town and a popular family destination. This beach is approx 4 and a half kms long. […]

Narin Strand is a 2km long sandy beach in Gweebarra Bay and in the parish of Ardara.There is a lovely scenic view of the beach from Portnoo. Nearby is an 18 hole golf links. Inishkeel island faces the beach and can be reached on foot at low tide. Accessibility Easy access from adjoining car park. […]

Neds Point Fort is one of several Napoleonic batteries built along the shores of Lough Swilly in Co. Donegal to defend the north west of Ireland. The beach here is alongside a coastal walk that starts in Fahan, south of Buncrana. This is a beautiful place for walkers and the view across Lough Swilly is […]

Pollan Bay is  located in the north westrn tip of the Innishowen Peninsula close to the village of Ballyliffin. The long sandy beach looks out onto Glashedy Island  and offers exceptional views to Malin Head. It is popular for windsurfing and other water activities. This is a popular beach and even has a children’s play […]

We have made an exception here and included a rocky beach rather than golden sands. Port is too interesting to leave out of the list. The rugged coastline and rocky shore make a spectacular scene. Port is a deserted fishing village that lost it’s population following the Irish Famine. It is also at one end […]

Rathmullan has a long long sandy beach (over 3km) and is popular with walkers.  It is located on the shore of Lough Swilly in the Fanad Peninsula. Alongside the beach car park is a children’s playground and a sculpture by John Behan commemorating the Flight of the Earls. Rathmullan was the scene of The Flight […]

A few miles west of Portnoo is Rosbeg. There are two beaches at Rosbeg in sheltered coves. Both have golden sand and rock formations and scenic views across the bay. They are often overlooked in favour of the larger Tramore Strand just down the road. Accessibility Easy access from the roadside that runs next to […]

Rossnowlagh blue flag beach is only 8 kilometres south of Donegal Town, and has soft, golden sand and lovely views across Donegal Bay.  It stretches about 4km (2.5 miles) in length. Rossnowlagh is very popular with both locals and tourists. It issafe for bathing and a popular destination for surfers, especially beginners. Great for long […]

The Silver Strand (An Tra Bhan in Irish)  is a horse shoe shaped beach situated at Malin Beg, near Glencolmcille, in south west Co. Donegal. It is one of the most dramatic beaches in Donegal and one of our personal favourites and no photograph will ever do justice to the beauty of this beach.  The […]

This is a long sandy beach north of Buncrana and is the most popular in this area  for swimming and walking. The view from the beach is across Lough Swilly to the Fanad Peninsula. Accessibilty Easy from the small car parking area or by foot along the Buncrana Shore Path walk. It is a scenic […]

Stroove Beach, also known locally as Big White Bay is a short sheltered beach that is overlooked by the Inishowen Head lighthouse. The beach is popular for swimmingas it is a Blue Flag Beach and has a lifeguard service during the summer months.It is near the village of Greencastle. Accesibility Easy from the car park […]

The Boat Strand is a charming and popular location to the North of Carrickfinn Beach. There are no signposts so follow the Google map directions below. Take the unmarked road to the left at this spot and you will reach the strand. It is a hidden gem with a pier used for boat launches and […]

Downings beach is located in the village of Downings (Na Dunaibh) on Donegal’s Rosguill Peninsula. It faces into  Sheephaven Bay and is popular for swimming and various water-sports. It is a Blue Flag beach and lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Accessibility Easy from various access points. Downings is busy in summer months […]

St John’s Point peninsula stretches for 7 miles and is home to Coral Beach, known locally as Trabane. At the end of the peninsula is a lighthouse. The drive to the beach is scenic with views across Donegal Bay and McSwynes Bay. Accessibility Easy with parking roadside next to the beach. Parking is limited and […]

Tramore Strand sits in Loughros Bay, Co. Donegal with lovely views across the bay to Adara and Slievetooey Mountain. It is a bit of a hidden gem and not as well known as some of Donegal’s more famous beaches but well worth a visit. The long golden beach has sand dunes and rockpools. Tramore means […]

This is a beautiful long sandy beach about 7km long. Ideal for walkers. From the beach you can enjoy views to the Muckish mountains and  to Trabeg ,the smaller beach that is alongside  The Downings. There is a parking area next to Rosapenna Golf Club but you can also access the beach from a boardwalk […]

This one is for walkers. (The images here are from local sources and will be updated after lockdown eases). Tramore Beach is a beautiful golden strand on the fascinating Horn Head peninsula. From Dunfanaghy take the signposted road to Horn Head and using the map below follow the road to a left turn with no […]

Tranarossan Bay is between two headlands on the Rosguill Peninsula. It is the only sign posted beach on the peninsula and is a lovely sandy beach. Accessibility Easy from the adjoining car park. Weather Forecast

Tremone Bay has a sandy and rocky beach that is a paradise for young explorers in the little coves and rockpools. The beach is small but stunning in a very secluded location between Culdaff and Inishowen Head. The Bay was the departure point of Thomas D’Arcy McGee when he escaped from Ireland in 1848 after […]

This horseshoe shaped beach has a long golden strand overlooked by Binnion hill. It lies 3km northwest of Clonmany Village. Enjoy a long beach walk and the fresh Atlantic air. Horse riding is very popular here. Accessibility Easy access from car park over the sand dunes. Weather Forecast

Just up the road from Bundoran is Tullan Strand, a really beautiful beach. No fun fair and arcades here just 2km of golden beach stretching from the north end of Bundoran to the Erne Estuary at Ballyshannon and great for beach walking. It is popular with swimmers and surfers but the area along the cliffs […]

Known locally as Inver Warren, this is a popular beach for walkers. The long golden strand and sand dunes stretch to the estuary with the River Eaney. There is a ‘pill box’ lookout post on the beach dating from the second world war. The Google map below takes you part way to the beach. Continue […]

Along the route to Inishowen Lighthouse and Stroove beach you can easily miss a gap in the hedgerow and a pathway to this secluded sandy beach. Accessibility Easy from roadway but parking difficult on narrow road. Weather Forecast