Port is a wide expanse of beach which, with various interrupions, runs all the way to Dundalk. Even on the fine summers day we were there the beach had plenty of room for everybody.
The water was clear and sandy underfoot but slightly wavy which made swimming difficult. Port is quite open so be prepared for wind and a choppy sea. Still the freshness and clarity of the water made this a nice place to visit.
This is a good place for families as there is plenty of room and the water has a gradual wade in. if you are here just for the swimming then time your visit as, at low tide, you will have a good hike to get into your depth.
Port is a Blue Flag beach. There were no lifeguards when we were there- c heck with the County Council for details.
Because it was so busy we couldn’t get near the car park so we don’t know about wheelchair or buggy access. We will have to go in February next time
From Clogherhead drive through the village and take the road signposted for Dunlea. After 1-2 kilometres you will come to a right turn signposted for Port- R244. Follow this and it will lead you to the beach
Cranfield is a popular holiday location with a couple of large caravan parks overlooking the beach. We visited on a good summer’s day and, while the beach was busy, there was still enough room for everyone, especially if you were prepared to walk for 5 minutes to a quiet location.
The water was clear and fresh, mainly sandy underfoot with just a few stones here and there. The water was calm and we had a good swim, made even better by the view of the Mourne mountains behind us. Equally, there were plenty of parents and children playing at the water’s edge. The tide was on its way out during our visit and some rock pools were being revealed and children with buckets had started to explore.
In one location there is a ramped access to the beach suitable for wheelchairs and buggies; otherwise a few small steps will get you there. Beside the beach there is a childrens playground and there are also some grassy areas suitable for picnics.
There are toilets and a lifeguard station behind the beach – check locally for lifeguard times as none was there when we visited. We had to park about a 5 minute walk away as parking near to the beach is very limited.
Directions: From Newry take the A2 toward Kilkeel and Newcastle. After Rostrevor but before you come to Kilkeel you will see a right turn signposted for Cranfield. Follow this road and it will take you to the beach
On a grey day in June we had the all too familiar experience of swimming alone in Ballywalter. The sea was choppy but the water was very refreshing. Just what we needed to clear out the cobwebs.
Ballywalter is a nice stretch of beach, situated on the coastal A2 route which runs up to Bangor. There was a gradual wade in and when the tide is low there is plenty of beach for families to play.
A childrens playground is located behind the beach along with a green area suitable for picnics. There are also toilets.
The smallish car park has steps down to a stone path which leads to the beach. If you walk back toward the beach on the main footpath there is access to a stony path which will provide wheelchair access.
Tyrella is a long and open expanse of beach – good for long walks but be prepared to swim in wavy water. The water here is fresh, clear and sandy under foot. When we visited there was a stiff breeze and the swimming was more riding the waves than anything else.
Given that this is a good place to bring children who will enjoy jumping and splashing, but do watch those waves.
There is some shelter in the dunes at the back of the beach and from the car park you can pick up various paths leading you to sheltered grassy areas which are good for picnics. If you stick to the beach you would be well advised to bring a windbreak.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer but weren’t there when we visited – check locally for details. There are toilets beyond the lifeguard station, again closed, but presumably open in July/August. Tyrella has a reasonably sized car park (with a charge of £4.00 for a car in July / August) which has access to the beach for buggies and wheelchairs.
Directions: From Newcastle take the A2 toward Belfast. Just as you enter the village of Clough you will see a right turn onto the A2 signposted Tyrella. Continue on this road until you come to the Tyrella car park on your right hand side
Lough Gill was made famous by W.B. Yeats whose ‘Lake Isle of Innisfree’ inhabits one of its small corners. More recently, a popular Irish- American folk group, led by a Sligo troubadour, have taken the name. Unfortunately, on a cold and windy day in May, neither poetry nor music inspired us or made the lake more appealing.
We accessed the water via a slipway which runs alongside the berthing place of the lake’s leisure cruiser. It was stony underfoot and we bumped our way slowly into the cold, but fresh water. As we always say when swimming in lakes, be careful, watch for underwater rocks. No jumping or diving. Despite the little obstacle course, it was a refreshing swim with the soft and wavy water blowing away the cobwebs. We emerged revitalised and ready to write a poem or three.
This must be a nice spot in the summer with Parkes castle alongside and a tour around the lake also on offer.
Directions :
From Sligo take the N16 toward Enniskillen. Just outside the town branch off onto the R286 signposted for Dromohair and the lake. Follow this road until you come to the lake on your right hand side and continue on until you come to Parke’s Castle with the car park beside it.
