by Brian Kenny | Jul 16, 2019 | Clare
Lahinch
June 2014
Lahinch is one of Ireland’s foremost holiday locations. It is now well established as a centre for surfing and other watersports. The seafront took a terrible battering in recent winter storms but it looks now as if it is has been restored fully. Great credit is due to Clare County Council for its work in this regard.
When we visited it was sunny and the beach was full of people. The tide was low so we had a gradual wade in into the clear calm sea. With just a few waves it was lovely for swimming. As this is a surfers’ spot you can expect more serious waves when the wind gets up. And watch out for them flying past you as you swim.
At low tide there is a wide beach which is ideal for children. When the tide is in the main beach area disappears, so time your visit if you want beach access.
If you go further down the beach do note the sign which says it is dangerous for swimming and don’t swim here.
Lahinch is a good place for families. The slip ways allow buggy/wheelchair access. There are toilets and lifeguards during the summer (check locally or with the Council for times). There are lots of shop and cafés nearby and, if you are really desperate, they even have an indoor pool.
There is ample car parking along the sea front, but you have to pay for it
Blue Flag beach.
Directions:
From Ennis take the N85 to Ennistymon and then the N67 to Lahinch. the seafront car park is in the centre of the town and is sign posted.
Ordnance Survey Map No: 57
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by Brian Kenny | Jul 16, 2019 | Clare, lake
Mountshannon, Lough Derg
May 2011
Mountshannon is an attractive and well kept former Tidy Town winner, situated on the shores of Lough Derg.
The swimming area is located to the side of the popular marina, which is a well used stopping off spot for people cruising the waterways. However, don’t be put off as the area for swimming is separate and safe.
The whole area of the marina is well kept, with attractive grassy areas and plenty of seats. The swimming spot has slipways to walk out onto which gives you access to the soft lake waters. As always with lakes be careful and beware of hidden rocks.
Unusually for Ireland, but welcome, is a small indoor changing room which backs onto well kept toilets. The whole area is a credit to the local community and Clare County Council.
The one big drawback is the sign warning you to beware of algae in the summer months. There was none when we swam there in May, but the summer is obviously different . It’s a shame because otherwise this is an attractive place to swim, relax and picnic.
Blue Flag location.
Directions
View Larger Map
Coming from the M7 you take exit 27 onto the R494 to Killaloe. Then you take the R463 to Scariff and the R352 to Mountshannon. In the middle of the town there is a turn signposted for the harbour, which has ample car parking.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 58
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by Brian Kenny | Jul 16, 2019 | Clare, lake
Killaloe, Lough Derg
May 2011
Lough Derg is one of the most attractive lakes in the country, large and with a varied shore line. The swimming spot, about 5 kilometres outside Killaloe, is a lovely place to visit .
This is a well kept area with lots of grass and a number of seats and picnic tables. You can access the water from a small sandy beach , where the water is quite shallow and good for children to play in. For swimmers you need to wade out from here into your depth. Alternatively, you can get in from the slipway to the side where the water is deeper. Whichever way you go, please remember to be careful of hidden rocks.
As well as having a swim there is plenty of room to picnic and a forest area with short walks. Toilets are located nearby
The water here is soft and dark and the views across the lake as you swim are most impressive. Unfortunately, there are signs warning you of algae in the summer months so do be careful.
Blue Flag location.
Directions:
View Larger Map
From the M7 take exit 27 and get onto the R494 for Killaloe. From there you take the R463 signposted Tuamgraney. The swimming spot is located about 5kms from Killaloe and you will know it by the good sized car parking area at the roadside on the right hand side.
Ordnance Survey Discovery Series Map No. 58
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by Brian Kenny | Jul 16, 2019 | Clare
White Strand – Kerins Hole, Milltown Malbay
June 2014
White Strand
The thing to know about the White strand is that when the tide is in there is no white strand. So time your visit if it’s the beach you are after. We arrived at full tide and accessed the water down the slip way and straight into the clear fresh sea. The weather was good and we had a lovely swim here. The next day we were back for more, this time at low tide when the small, protected beach was available for a stroll.
Kerin’s Hole
After our swim we headed for a walk along the cliffs to the right of the beach and came upon the unexpected pleasure of Kerin’s Hole. This is obviously a well established local swimming spot, with recently reconstructed steps leading you down to a very attractive dark pool. At full tide its just a matter of getting onto the ladder and then you are straight into the refreshing waters. This is a lovely spot and when the sun is out the sea glistens and is especially inviting.
With two locations to swim in , White Strand is definitely worth a visit.
When we were there construction work was underway so access was limited. There are two slipways which should manage buggies and wheelchairs. The toilets are basic and the car parking adequate. Lifeguards are there in the summer, check locally or with Clare County Council for times.
Dierctions: From Kilkee take the N67 toward Lahinch. Acouple of kilometres after Milltown Malbay watch out for a sharp left turn signposted for the beach. Ordnance Survey Map No: 57
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by Brian Kenny | Jul 16, 2019 | Clare
Byrne’s Cove, Kilkee
June 2014
Kilkee has a classic, crescent shaped beach but it’s the smaller spots on either side of the bay which stand out for swimmers. Byrne’s Cove is on the eastern side alongside the local golf course; not as well known as the Pollock Holes and we only found out about its existence from a local swimmer.
Despite this, its well worth a visit and a swim. Concrete steps lead down to a small cove with a rough concrete path bringing you to a steel ladder and then into the fresh Atlantic waters. The weather was dull when we visited, but the water was fresh and clear and lovely to swim in. As we don’t know the area we stayed within the cove and didn’t venture out too far. We got there when there was plenty of water for a dip, but when the tide is low it looks as the water isn’t accessible. A concrete area to the rear looks as if it got a battering from recent storms , but it is a place where you can sit if the sun ever appears. All in all a place to be recommended.
Directions: From Ennis take the N68 to Kilrush and then the N 67 to Kilkee. Just as you come to Kilkee watch for a right turn which is signposted toward Doonbeg and Lahinch. Take this turn but then go straight on along the road which runs alongside the bay. Keep going to the end of this road until you come to a small parking area. From here it’s a few hundred metres of a walk to the cove. Its not accessible and isn’t a suitable location for small children.
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