August 2012

When we visited Glassilaun a water sports day was in progress. There were lots of adults and children on the beach and the rain was bucketing down. Still, wetsuits are a great invention; the people stayed and the rain didn’t, clearing away to give a sunny afternoon.

Rain or sun, Glassilaun is a lovely curved beach set beside Killary bay. The water here is fresh and clear, lovely to swim in and with an impressive mountain backdrop. The beach also has some rocks for shelter and a couple of small coves when the tide is low.

There is a small car park and a bumpy access route to the beach – just about manageable for buggies, but not for wheelchairs.

Glassilaun is up there with Connemara’s best, which is really saying something.

Directions

From Clifden take the N59 toward Westport. After you pass through Kylemore watch out for a left turn signposted for Tullycross. Drive along this road where you will pass two lakes, Lough Fee and Lough Muck. After you pass by the second lake watch for a sharp right turn signposted ‘Scuba World’ which will bring you to the beach.

Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 37