by Brian Kenny | Jul 5, 2019 | Galway
June 2010
Dogs Bay is another of Connemara’s fine beaches and here you get two for the price of one.
The beach is crescent shaped and well protected, with rocks at either end. The water here has the usual Connemara crystal clarity and is good for kids to swim in as you get into your depth gradually.
This is a really nice family beach and if you are prepared to walk to the end and do a little bit of walking across the grass, you will come to a lovely small beach which we christened’ puppy’s cove’.
Its real name is Trà Mhantàn and it’s a little gem. We have been here quite a few times and it’s nearly always deserted. This small beach is well sheltered by the rocks on either side. It’s a really nice spot to sunbathe or to do some snorkelling. While the water is lovely and clear do be careful as you are out of your depth very quickly.
Directions
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Dogs Bay is on the R341 from Clifden and there is a signpost to the beach not long before Roundstone.
There is a reasonable sized car park but this fills up quickly on a fine summer’s day. There is a rough bumpy track to the beach which you would just about manage with a sturdy buggy. When we were there in June we saw a family struggle up this path with a wheelchair. What a difference a simple tarmacadamed path would make.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 44
‘Puppy’s Cove’
‘Puppy’s Cove’
by Brian Kenny | Jul 5, 2019 | Galway
June 2010
Spiddal beach is a popular spot for young people and families, located right beside the road as you drive into Spiddal itself.
The beach is quite small when the tide is in, but it’s a good spot for young people as you get into your depth quite gradually.
This is also Irish college country, so if you arrive as we did when all the young people were there, you will feel very out of place if you are over 15!
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. There is a steep path onto the beach which gives access to buggies and a wheelchair might fit.
Directions
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From Galway take the R336 and this will lead you to Spiddal. The beach is on your left as you come into the town.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 45
by Brian Kenny | Jul 5, 2019 | Galway
July 2014
Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran islands, is a great place for a holiday and the swimming is good too. Below we list four of the best places to swim, but there are more if you have time to visit. The island is easy to get around, with a rented bike the best way to travel.
Trá na bhFrancach
Situated about a kilometer from the harbour, this is a lovely and accessible place to swim. The water here is blue and the sand white. There is a gradual wade in and when we were there the calm waters allowed for a lovely, long swim. With its sandy beach and sheltered sea, this seems to be a good spot for children and families.
Directions: From the harbour entrance go to the right and along the coast road for a kilometre until you come to the beach.
An Trá Mór:
In contrast, An Trá Mór is harder to get to but worth the effort. We were there twice on sunny days and the only company we had was a curious seal. This is a long sandy beach with the lovely clear water to refresh you. It’s sandy underfoot and both days we visited the water was calm and lovely for swimming. The only drawback on one of the days was the number of jellyfish being washed ashore. So be careful. As you might be the only one swimming here exercise caution and stay well within your depth. All in all, a lovely secluded and relaxing place to swim.
Directions. From the harbour entrance go the left and follow the coast road for about 3 kilometres until you pass a pier and then the airport and graveyard. You then have to cross the large sandy inlet and find your way to the beach. Definitely not accessible and only for the fit.
Kilmurvey
Kilmurvey is Inis Mór’s Salthill. A Blue Flag beach where young and old congregate. As it’s on the way to Dun Aonghasa, the island’s main tourist attraction, you will also have a good mix of nationalities.
The beach here is curved and sheltered and when we visited the water was clear and calm. It’s a good place to practice your swimming with the length of the beach covering about 200 metres. There are rocks at either end for shelter and a slipway makes it accessible for buggies and wheelchairs. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Nearby are decent toilets and the coffee shop and other shops at Dun Aonghasa are a 5 minute walk away.
Directions: From the harbour go to the right and as you pass through the village take the road that goes inland. After a few hundred metres you take a right turn and follow this road
Trá na bhFrancach
Kilmurvey
Kilmurvey
The Worm Hole – Poll na bPéist
Trá Mór
Trá Mór
Trá Mór
by Brian Kenny | Jul 5, 2019 | Galway
June 2010
Inisbofin, or simply Bofin, is one of Ireland’s nicest islands, and that’s really saying something.
Duach beach is a lovely white strand about 35 minutes walk from the ferry pier. The water here is crystal clear and has that lovely turquoise colour. There is a gradual wade in but when you start to swim you do get out of your depth quickly. It looks great for snorkelling.
The beach itself, while sandy, is also a bit stony. There are rocks at either end for shelter and you will also get shelter in the grass and small dunes which circle the beach.
When we there it was a beautiful sunny day and there was plenty of people sitting outside the hotels and bars. But, again, we swam alone. Oh dear.
Directions
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There are regular ferries to Bofin from Cleggan and it takes about 30 minutes. From the pier you turn right and walk for about 30 minutes; after the graveyard you will come to an opening and a sandy track which leads you to the beach. It’s not wheelchair accessible and you will struggle to get a buggy down.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No, 37. There are also local maps of the island on sale at the shop beside the ferry pier.
by Brian Kenny | Jul 5, 2019 | Galway
June 2010
This is one of only two coral strands that we know (the other is in Carraroe) and it’s a real gem.
The beach here glistens white and shines in a lovely contrast to the clear turquoise waters. There are small clumps of rocks for shelter and for kids to play around. The views across the water to the equally white beaches of Mannin Bay are spectacular.
The one drawback of coral is that it can be hard underfoot, so don’t expect to be running around here in your bqre feet. And coral is not good for making sandcastles. However, the swimming is great and the freshness and clarity of the water more than compensate.
Directions
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From Clifden you travel on the R341 and the strand is the first place you come to with parking on your right hand side. There are two small car parks and the second one has a small gap in the wall where you can manoeuvre a buggy down to the beach.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 44
