Ireland Beaches
Ireland is known for its beautiful blue beaches and quaint harbor towns. It is easy to take day trips to some of the country’s most fabulous beaches from the bigger cities of Dublin or Belfast in Northern Ireland. Beach trips are a great way to entertain the kids or even to take a romantic day for just the two of you. The beaches here are always clean and serene, but often cold and a bit windy. The best beach months are July-September, though they are visited year around. If you’re lucky, you might even catch adventurous types take a dip during the off season.
Dún Laoghaire: Pronounced, “dun leary” this quant coastal town is perfect for a day trip. It is even great if you want to stay in a more quiet location than the bustling Dublin. It is just a short DART ride from the city center out to Dún Laoghaire and it is a beautiful view. Once you get off the DART you will be right at the harbor. If you are up for it, take the coastal walk to Sandycove, a beautiful sandy beach. It is a great place for a picnic on a sunny day and is also home of the James Joyce tower, a sure favorite for any literature fanatic. Continue your walk all the way to Dalkey, which is a swanky coastal town with trendy boutiques and beautiful houses. The whole thing takes about 45 minutes to walk. Although, take time to stop along the way and enjoy the gorgeous view, breathe in the wonderful Irish coast air, and watch for spectacular sea creatures to poke in and out of the beautiful blue water. If you haven’t gotten enough by the time you reach Dalkey, continue on to the sandy beaches of Kiliney.
Malahide: This secluded little seaside town is just 8 miles north of Dublin. The harbor is a great place to go sailing and enjoy the water, but the greatest thing about this quaint little town is Malahide Castle. The grounds are beautiful and are often used for massive concerts during the summer, so be sure to check out what is going on there during your visit. Also, you can take a tour of Ireland’s Eye, a small island just off the coast of Malahide. It is a great way to see the life of the sea up close and personal. Malahide also has great museums for a rainy day, which explain the rich history of Ireland. There is also a great public golf course. On a sunny day, however, just spend a few hours walking around the castle grounds and seeing what the rest of this cute little town has to offer. The town is easily reached by the DART.
Howth is a great town to visit on a sunny Irish day. This is because it has some of the most beautiful coastal walks in all of Ireland. It is just 6 miles north of Dublin, which means it is just a short DART ride to get there. Howth is a great place to take your kids for a day trip away from the busy city of Dublin. The walks along the coast are wonderfully relaxing and full of interesting sights for the kids. If you can manage it, go on a Sunday to visit the Sunday Market, which is located near the West Pier. There are loads of outdoor booths selling homemade jams, chutneys, and preserves as well as some of the best local produce as well. The indoor part of the market is where all of the great clothes and eclectic jewelry can be found. If you look hard enough you can find that unique treasure you’ve been waiting for. After this, it is worth the money to go to one of the fabulous seafood restaurants in Howth. The food is so fresh it is absolutely indescribable.