We all have our favourite beach around this beautiful island of ours, but these ones have been voted the best to visit by the public
Summer, autumn, winter, spring – there’s never really a bad time to go to the beach. Whether you’re an avid sea swimmer or just someone who enjoys a bracing walk on a Sunday afternoon, you will never regret the natural high that comes from breathing in the sea air.
And while we know there are many charming destinations to choose from, there may be even more that we don’t know about, waiting to be discovered on our next staycation.
Recent research by Betfair Casino has revealed the most popular beaches around Ireland, measured by a unique score based on the number of hashtags and views each coastal gem has racked up on Instagram. They also took Trip Advisor rankings into account – with the lower the overall index score, the higher the ranking. There were tied scores for half the list, highlighting further how lucky we are to have such an abundance of these glorious locations around us.
Silver Strand Beach hit the top spot and is an absolute must-see on Sherkin Island, accessible by ferry from Baltimore. The sandy beach is one of the island’s most beautiful spots, with magnificent views of Cape Clear Island and the Atlantic Sea. While Barleycove Beach in Cork also made the top five, Curracloe Beach followed in second place. Situated in the southeast of Ireland, in Wexford, it’s no surprise that the sandy beach scored so highly, with it being featured in the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan. It is also known for being one of the cleanest and longest beaches in Ireland, backed by grassy dunes.
It was a close call, but North Kerry’s Banna Strand landed in joint third place with Fanore Beach – located in Clare – and Enniscrone Beach in Sligo. Banna Strand proved to be popular with its beautiful views and crystal clear waters. Fanore Beach, located in the little village of Fanore, also has much to offer, while Sligo’s Enniscrone Beach is a hidden gem described as a ‘walker’s paradise’ on the shores of Killala Bay.
Galway’s East End Beach is another one to tick off your list if you’re happy to clamber over some rocks to find the blissful, secluded cove on the island of Inishbofin. Burrow Beach, also known as the ‘Hole in the Wall’, was another destination that scored highly with its spectacular views of Ireland’s eye, but one that can’t be missed is Portsalon Beach in Donegal, which is said to be perfect for romantic walks at sunset.
Top 10 beaches in the Ireland (using figures from Google rating, Trip Advisor and Instagram):
1. Silver Strand Beach – Sherkin Island, Cork
2. Curracloe Beach – Wexford
3. Banna Strand – Kerry, Fanore Beach – Clare, Enniscrone Beach – Sligo
4. East End Beach – Galway, Burrow Beach – Dublin
5. Barleycove Beach – Cork, Portsalon Beach – Donegal
6. Gurteen Bay – Galway
7. Streedagh Beach – Sligo
8. Ballymastocker Bay – Donegal
9. Killiney Beach – Dublin, Glassilaun Beach – Galway, Five Finger Strand – Donegal
