Ireland: Beaches and Swimming
 

Okay...and away we go. In July of 2008, my cousin and I are visiting the emerald isle. We have several questions so I'll post them individually (and with proper subject headings-eek!). I'd like to factor in beach time as that's a plus for her. I've looked up temperatures and have noted they rarely go above the high 60s and I've checked out blueflag.org and know that there are sandy beaches. I'm just curious as to how they compare to New England beaches. Cold? Swimmable? Any comments on the prospect of swimming and tanning/relaxing comfortably at a beach in Ireland? I haven't specified region because we're open to suggestions and to all regions. Some have gulf streams and all that jazz that affect climate. Anyone have feedback? Thanks for the time and help!

Its bnot a beachy tanning country. Yes I have been swimming on hot summer days but its been years and it is not very hot here. I would head down to another country for that. Also there are little or no facilities on the beaches here its more natural.

Being from Florida, I can honestly say that I've never been swimming in Ireland. Even in June and early July (paticularly LAST summer), I'm more apt to be the wearing a wool jacket when I'm out strolling about.

However, the best four beaches that I've visited so far are:

Inch (between Killarney and Dingle). Can't go by without stopping.

Castlegregory (on the North shore of the Dingle Penninsula)

Barley Cove (Toward the end of the Mizen Head Penninsula)

Silver Strand (In Donegal, out beyond Glenncollumbkille). The stairs down (and back UP!!!)will very nearly KILL you -- but it is worth every AGONIZING step.

Bob

In July 1985 two friends and I went to the west coast of Ireland. There is a beach near Slea Head on the Dingle peninsula. Given that it was our summer vacation (we are from Canada) we insisted on going in the water although it was about 55 degrees and the water was freezing.

Upon completion we headed to the nearest bar to thaw. We overheard the bartender telling some patrons that some idiots had just been spotted “not on the beach but in the water. Can you believe how stupid some people are?”

It's a great memory although I wouldn't do it again.

Colduphere, that might have been Couminole. If it was, the idiocy might not have been water temperature, but the fact that it is a dangerous place to swim: there is a very strong undertow.

While water temperatures in Ireland are low compared with southern Europe, there are plenty of hardy individuals who swim in the sea. I'm not one of them.

Thanks Padraig - that explains it. Now I am positive I will never do it again.

There are some beautiful beaches and they get quite busy on a nice summers day - but no matter how warm it is, you'll never catch me swimming - the water is FAR too cold for that! There's quite a big tradition of swimming in the sea on Christmas day, however those people are clearly insane!!

Hi superchin,

I've not tried swiming in Ireland, but imagine it's a tad similar to Cornwall.

What you need to look for are south facing, sheltered shallows, preferably with the arms of a bay protecting the beach, after several days of settled warm weather.

even so in July you stil might find it chilly.

regards, ann.

The water on Cape Cod is like a hot bath compared to UK & Ireland. Having said that though there are some really hot spots. Enniscrone has long shallow beaches & on warm days the hot sand transfer its heat to the cooler water. You will need to find sheltered beaches that are shallow. Besides Enniscrone, other beaches I have come across are behind the golf course at Strandhill where you can walk out a mile at full tide & only be 3ft deep, some of the sheltered spots by Clifden & Spiddal, in the south by Cork is Youghal.
Look at a map of the places you are visiting & look for lots of sandy areas.
As regards booking in advance - it is possible to get accomodation through the tourist offices who can book somewhere for your next days destination. Be prepared though as popular areas will be fully booked especially if there are events on - Dublin horse show or if a concert is on.
Most forms of transport are directed towards Dublin & you may only be able to get morning or evening tickets to your next destination.

Cailin you are right...I have not really been swimming from an Irish beach in 10 years...it was Dogs Bay roundstone, Galay and Unusually hot! There are lots of people who seim year round at the 40 foot in Dun Laoghaire and Seapoint but now me! I did consider it this year Christmas day but thought it would kill me with the hangover :-)

Tramore in the southeast.

Have never been swimming in Ireland -- I'm not much for cold water. I do know there is a nice beach in Lahinch, CO Clare, which is very popular with the summer crowd, particularly surfers -- a little west coast wave action, I guess!

We were there a few years ago at the end of July, so probably the hottest it gets. Thankfully on the day we left the US I had run to the mall and bought a pair of long pants and real shoes (the rest of the suitcase held capris and sandals). It was freezing there! And rainy. It was not quite typical weather for summer, but it apparently wasn't that crazy for it to be that way.

I think there might be some beaches in the far southeast of the country, but again, not really tanning weather.

40+ years ago I swam in the water off the coast of County Wicklow. I didn't stay long(I think maybe fifty strokes)--just enough to say I had been swimming in the Irish Sea. My friend wouldn't go in and she grew up swimming in Maine water. An earlier poster mentioned Cape Cod water. I grew up on the bay side of the Cape and I think I agree that water is like a bathtub compared to the Irish Sea.

Thank heavens these days I don't have to prove anything. I can just say, "I came, I looked, I walked away."

Inch! I have a picture of my family on the Inch strand in August of last year, windy and maybe, maybe 50 degrees. Swim in Ireland? Not likely!

Achill Island has some lovely beaches. When we were there mid-September there were a few intrepid surfers with wetsuits but no one else went near the water.

Actually I did swim more recently, 4 years ago on Inish Mor! It was such a beautiful hot day and the beach was stunning and few people. It was definately warm enough to swim. My mother called from America on my mobile as I was sitting on the beach sunbathing after a swim...still cold water but not awful and refreshing and warm enough after. We do get the odd days but I go to Greece if I want beach and sun!

Thanks so much for the feedback. My cousin has resigned herself to just relaxing at the Rhode Island beaches when we return.

supercin721, I think your cousin probably made the right call.

Don't rule out visiting beaches, though. Some are beautiful places to be, just to walk and enjoy the setting.