Seapoint is a traditional swimming spot used by generations of Dubliners over many decades. Just 12 or so kilometres from the city centre it is easily accessible by car, bus and DART.
This is a swimming place which has been much improved in recent years, certainly in terms of overall cleanliness. The water quality has been more mixed and the Blue Flag was lost a few years ago.
Like other swimming spots around the city Seapoint has its hardcore of year round regulars who swim in all weathers. The number of women who can be seen calmly swimming through the icy February waters would put many to shame.
If you are someone who wants a quick dip then you need to watch the tides when you come here. When the tide is low you will end up walking for ages to get into some proper swimming water. And when the tide is full there is no sand to walk on or real space for kids to play. So you make your choices.
It can get very busy during the fine weather and space is limited, so best to get here early on a sunny day.
This is also a good place to walk after a swim when you can head for a nice 30 minute stroll to Dun Laoghaire’s West Pier.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer. Seapoint is a well maintained facility and a credit to Dun laoghaire /Rathdown Council. There are reasonably good toilets but the outdoor shower is in need of repair, so maybe the council will take note. The parking down at Seapoint is poor and you are better to park on the nearby roads and walk down.
The best way to get here from Dublin city is by DART, getting off at the Salthill and Monkstown station. The area is also served by Dublin bus, check out www.dublinbus.ie
We visited Clogherhead beach on a most unusual summer’s day – the sun was shining , the beach crowded and the car park overflowing. What’s seldom is wonderful and we had a lovely swim under a clear blue sky.
Clogherhead is a good sized family beach with soft sand and plenty of room for walking and playing. The water itself was quite clear which is somewhat unusual for the east coast. The gradual wade in makes it a good place to splash and play.
When we were there it was a bit windy and a wind break is advisable. You will find some shelter in the grassy area behind the beach.
The car park is small and inadequate on a good day. There were plenty of traffic jams when we were there. Access from the car park is fine for buggies but not for wheelchairs. However, there is another small road to the left of the car park which allows you to drive onto the beach which makes it fine for wheelchairs.
Clogherhead is a Blue Flag beach. There were no lifeguards when we were there,check with the County Council for details.
From Dublin take the M1 and leave it at Exit 9 for Drogheda. Take the road around the town and as you start to leave Drogheda watch out for a right turn signposted Termonfeckin – R166. Follow a convoluted route through side streets with various signposts for Termonfeckin ( but none for Clogherhead) and you will eventually pick up the Clogherhead road. When you arrive at the village watch for a right turn signposted for the lifeboat station and this will lead you to the beach. ( With this type of signage is someone trying to keep this beach a secret?).
The beach at Crawfordsburn is nicely located in the impressive surroundings of Crawfordsburn Forest park. It is nicely sheltered by the woods at either end and when we visited we had a lovely swim in the calm, fresh water. It was sandy underfoot with a gradual wade in which makes it good for children. However, do heed the warning sign at the entrance which is there for a reason.
The beach itself is quite small and when the tide is in it gets very narrow. There are some rocks at one end which must provide some extra shelter. This is a very nice place to visit, with large green areas behind the beach for picnics and plenty of forest trails for walking. The whole park is very well maintained, with ample car parking and decent toilets. The beach is accessible for buggies and wheelchairs.
Directions: Crawfordsburn takes an effort to find, so beware. From the centre of Bangor town you need to find your way onto the B20 signposted Crawfordsburn. Drive straight through the village and you will then come to a right turn signposted for the country park. About 1 -2 kilometres down this road you will see the entrance for the country park on your right. (There is no sign for the beach). When you get to the car park go as far as you can so you are parked near to the beach.
Tyrella is a long and open expanse of beach – good for long walks but be prepared to swim in wavy water. The water here is fresh, clear and sandy under foot. When we visited there was a stiff breeze and the swimming was more riding the waves than anything else.
Given that this is a good place to bring children who will enjoy jumping and splashing, but do watch those waves.
There is some shelter in the dunes at the back of the beach and from the car park you can pick up various paths leading you to sheltered grassy areas which are good for picnics. If you stick to the beach you would be well advised to bring a windbreak.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer but weren’t there when we visited – check locally for details. There are toilets beyond the lifeguard station, again closed, but presumably open in July/August. Tyrella has a reasonably sized car park (with a charge of £4.00 for a car in July / August) which has access to the beach for buggies and wheelchairs.
Directions: From Newcastle take the A2 toward Belfast. Just as you enter the village of Clough you will see a right turn onto the A2 signposted Tyrella. Continue on this road until you come to the Tyrella car park on your right hand side
Port is a wide expanse of beach which, with various interrupions, runs all the way to Dundalk. Even on the fine summers day we were there the beach had plenty of room for everybody.
The water was clear and sandy underfoot but slightly wavy which made swimming difficult. Port is quite open so be prepared for wind and a choppy sea. Still the freshness and clarity of the water made this a nice place to visit.
This is a good place for families as there is plenty of room and the water has a gradual wade in. if you are here just for the swimming then time your visit as, at low tide, you will have a good hike to get into your depth.
Port is a Blue Flag beach. There were no lifeguards when we were there- c heck with the County Council for details.
Because it was so busy we couldn’t get near the car park so we don’t know about wheelchair or buggy access. We will have to go in February next time
From Clogherhead drive through the village and take the road signposted for Dunlea. After 1-2 kilometres you will come to a right turn signposted for Port- R244. Follow this and it will lead you to the beach
