BEACHES OF THE DINGLE PENINSULA

Stradbally Beach Dingle Dingle Peninsula

coise sa ghaineamh - footprint in the sand

The Dingle Peninsula boasts some of Europe's most stunning beaches. From the spectacular sweeping curve of Brandon Bay, the seemingly endless sea and sky of Inch, to the many secluded and hidden sandy coves the Peninsula has been gifted by Mother nature. You can easily find a deserted beach with nothing but the sound of the ocean and crying gulls for company.

Surf dramatic breakers, dive and swim in azure Atlantic waters, run along a deserted bay, paddle barefoot at sunset, picnic and make sandcastles or simply breathe and enjoy the view on beaches you will never forget. Below is a guide to some of the fantastic beaches and coves of the Dingle Peninsula.

COUMEENOLE

Tucked under high cliffs and looking out to the deserted Blasket Islands this is one of the most iconic beaches on the Dingle Peninsula. One of the filming locations for Ryan's Daughter,  Coumeenole is a popular stop for travellers on the Slea Head Drive.

Crashing waves, cliffs, sea spray and pristine clean sand make this a great place to get away from the world. There is a car park at the top of the cliff and a steep walk down a small road - remember you have to come back up!

Beautiful and dramatic this small cove catches the full force of the Atlantic and strong currents make it unsafe for swimming.

VENTRY - CEANN TRÁ

This Blue Flag beach is very popular with locals and visitors. Safe for children and swimming, this car-free beach is a great place to make sandcastles and relax.  Generations of families return year after year to enjoy the gentle calm of this sheltered bay. A crescent of white sand approximately 3km long backs onto a small dune system, a small lake, wet grasslands and an extensive Common Reed swamp. A small pier lies at the Ventry village end. Car access is just beyond the village of Ventry with a car park, public toilets and a summer lifeguard station. See information board for times.

brandon bay

Sometimes described as the longest beach in Ireland the golden sandy beach that stretches around Brandon Bay from Cloghane under Mount Brandon to Fahamore in the Maharees on the northern side of the peninsula, has a number of beaches which are popular with swimmers, anglers, water sports enthusiasts and walkers.The Brandon Bay beaches are open to the North Atlantic and often receive long rolling swells, which can provide excellent surf given suitable wind and tide conditions.

  • Cappagh Strand/ Trá an Cheapaigh is adjacent to Cloghane Village.
  • Fermoyle Strand/Trá Fhormaoileach is a sandy beach near the village of Cloghane. Ideal for walking, swimming, angling, surfing and other watersports.
  • Kilcummin, Stradbally and Gowlane Strands: With miles of unbroken sand beaches this area is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

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Béal Bán and Wine Strand

Béal Bán and Wine Strand/Trá an Fhíona: these popular beaches are close to the village of Ballyferriter/Baile an Fheirtéaraigh.

Both beaches are sandy, safe for swimming and provide stunning views. In June of each year an impromptu horse-racing festival is held at Béal Ban, with associated events in the public houses of Ballyferriter.

THe Maharees

An extensive sand spit and associated dune system to the north of Castlegregory village. There are a number of beautiful sandy beaches on this tombola. Magherabeg or Maharbeg has a blue flag and has lifeguards during the summer season.

The Maharees beaches are very popular for watersports and a number of surfing schools operate in the area.

INCH BEACH

Inch or An Inse is an impressive Blue Flag beach. A wild and wind-swept dune system stretches along this amazing sand spit as it reaches out into Dingle Bay towards Rossbeigh Beach on the Iveragh Peninsula. Rising behind Inch are the Slieve Mish Mountains which form the backbone of the Dingle Peninsula. Inch beach is very popular with adventure sports enthusiasts such as wind, wave and land surfers, anglers and swimmers. There are life guards on patrol during the summer season and local surf schools provide lessons, water sports equipment and wetsuit hire on the beach.

Beaches on the Dingle Peninsula

Blue Flag beaches on the Dingle Peninsula with safe swimming are Inch, Ventry and Maherabeg.
Brandon Bay near Castlegregory is the place to head for windsurfing on the Dingle Peninsula. The place is legendary amongst windsurfers.

Beach Activity Providers

Directory links to related businesses, events and providers on the Dingle Peninsula

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