With thousands of miles of unspoiled coastline, Ireland is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches.

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Cork

Only a few miles from Clonakilty, Inchydoney is a Blue Flag beach on Inchydoney Island. It is one of the most beautiful beaches on the West coast, with stunning stretches of sandy beach, dunes and conditions that are ideal for surfing. It’s family-friendly too, with easy parking, public toilets and lifeguards during the summer months.

Owenahincha is approximately 7 miles from Clonakilty, and is a popular sandy beach backed by dunes. A short walk over the cliffs takes you to another gorgeous beach with Blue Flag status. The Warren is great family beach, with sheltered swimming and a multitude of rock pools.

Antrim

Waterfoot is a long, thin sandy beach, at the foot of possibly the most famous of Antrim’s glens. The beach is backed by dunes, and Waterfoot village lies just to the north. With stunning locations like this, many people choose to build summer houses in Northern Ireland, like those available here: http://www.morrowsectionalbuildings.com/summer_houses.

Connemara

Two of the finest beaches in Ireland, Gurteen Beach and Dogs Bay, lie back to back jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean. Dogs Bay has a mile long stretch of white sand. Similar to Gurteen Beach, the sand is not comprised of traditional limestone, but made up entirely of fragments of seashells, which gives it a pure white colour. Both beaches are well sheltered and boast crystal clear waters considered safe for swimming and water-based activities. The beaches are naturally protected by the headland, making it a popular destination for holidaymakers.

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Waterford

Dunmore East, situated on the sunny south east, has more sunshine than anywhere in Ireland, with temperatures reaching 26 degrees. It is known as one of the top places to go snorkelling, as the coastline consists of calm waters and sheltered coves teeming with sea life.

Sligo

Easkey Beach, nicknamed Adventure Capital, is perfect for surfing. Its enormous waves pound onto this rocky beach. Easkey has two reef breaks, where waves break onto the rocks, rather than onto sand. This makes the waves hollower and faster, thus more attractive to experienced surfers. Surfing takes places all year round and Easkey is recognised internationally as one of the most popular surfing destinations in Ireland.