If it’s big, open beaches you want then Laytown and Bettystown will be right up your alley. Running alongside both towns the whole stretch must be at least 5 kilometres long so there is loads of room for running, walking and playing.
For swimmers this is not one of the great locations. When the tide is out it’s a bit of a trek and the brown sandy water can be a bit off putting for some. On the plus side the water was nice and calm when we were there and the wade in is gradual. With soft sand underfoot this is a good place for kids to splash and play.
Bettystown in particular is a popular location and it gets busy during the summer. Parking is allowed on a part of the beach which is unattractive and you can have the occasional driver racing around the place. Watch out if you have young children. The parking here has to be paid for.
There are small dunes at the back where you can set yourself up and get a bit of shelter. However, you would be well advised to bring your windbreak. Both Laytown and Bettystown are wheelchair and buggy accessible.
These are very much family type beaches and quite ok for a dip as well.
From Dublin take the M1 toward Belfast . Leave it at exit 7 and follow the signposts. You hit Laytown first and if you need wheelchair access watch out for a right turn in the town which leads you to a small entrance onto the beach. Further on this road there is a larger place to park overlooking the beach and with steps down to it.
Bettystown is about 4 kilometres further along this road and in the centre of the town watch for a right hand turn with a blue parking sign which will lead you directly onto the beach.
Once you find Lilliput its well worth a visit. We looked in vain for a signpost when we came off the M6 and inevitably got lost. Eventually we got on the right road and found our way to Jonathan Swift Park.
This is a swimming area designated as such by Westmeath County Council , which is rare and nice to see. To the left of the boathouse there is a stony, beach like surface which leads you into shallow water. A better way to get in is down the steps to the right of the boathouse where it is sandy underfoot and also has a bit of depth. The water was nice and fresh and remained shallow as we swam out. It was nice to have the sand beneath our feet and this seems like a good place for kids to splash and play. However, lakes are potentially dangerous so watch out for submerged rocks. No jumping or diving
The park itself has plenty of space with a picnic table and a large sand pit right in front of the swimming area. Right beside the park is the Lilliput Adventure Centre which organises various adventure courses.
There is ample car parking and it is accessible.
Update April 2015: A 2014 report on bathing water quality conducted by the EPA found the water quality in Lough Ennel ‘poor’ .You might want to check out the current state of play with the County Council. View Larger Map
Directions:
From the M6 take exit 4 onto the N52 toward Mullingar. Watch out for a left turn onto the L122 signposted for Ballinagore. After that you will pick up the signposts for Jonathan Swift Park/Lilliput. There are a number of them so watch carefully and they will lead you to the lake.
Lanesborough is on the border between Longford and Roscommon and we think we swam on the Longford side. Neither county is renowned for swimming spots so we were glad to add this as a Longford location.
We found a nice place to get in on the east side of the town’s bridge, just before you cross the county boundary. Access to the water was from a concrete path which runs alongside the lake. It was a bit difficult so pick your spot carefully. The water was dark with good depth and lovely for swimming. As always with lakes be careful as you can’t see what is underneath the surface. No jumping or diving.
Alternatively, you could get in at the little harbour nearby which has a slipway. We didn’t try it and the water might be less clean with the various boats coming and going. See update below.
Near to the lake there is plenty of green space for picnics and forest walks start just beyond the car park. All in all this is an attractive place for a swim. There are no problems with access.
Directions:
From Longford town take the N63 to Lanesborough. As you drive down the main street watch for a left turn for a car park just before you come to the bridge. Drive along this road past the playground and you will come to an open parking area with the harbour and lake nearby.
Photo Lanesborough by Brian Kenny
Photo Lanesborough by Brian Kenny
Photo Lanesborough by Brian Kenny
Photo Lanesborough by Brian Kenny
Photo of Lough Ree, Lanesboro by Bernadette Smith
You're a star!
Thanks to:
Bernadette Smith for a beautiful photo and sharing her love of Longford.
Niall Mulvivhill for local information, groups and updated location.
Lee Williamson for the additional photos.
Local Swimming Community
There is a thriving local open water swimming scene. There are groups swimming from Lanesboro twice a day from various different organisation. We coordinate using a whatsapp group.
New pontoon access to the water
Recently the Lanesboro tidy towns group installed a pontoon for access to the water on the lanesboro side.
Following this the tri club liaised with waterways Ireland to have an area removed from the navigational channel so that it would be free from boat traffic and safe for open water swimmers.
We also have three buoys in a triangle formation to indicate the safe swim course, this is typically around 450m per loop.
Two Provinces Triathlon
Lanesborough is also the location of the Two Provinces Triathlon which takes place in June of each year, the race is a key battleground for the country’s top triathletes as they compete in the Triathlon Ireland National Series.
We aren’t sure of the name of this beach, but it’d definitely in Sellerna Bay just outside Cleggan.
Sellerna is an attractive beach with clear blue-green water. It’s a bit exposed with just a few rocks at one end for shelter. There is a gradual wade in and it’s nice and sandy underfoot, one of the few sandy beaches in this particular part of Connemara.
There is a small car park with space for about 10 cars. Access to the beach is over a short but stony path. It isn’t wheelchair accessible but if you had a tough jeep you could drive onto the sand.
Directions:
From Clifden take the R59 toward Westport. After about 5 kilometres take a left turn signposted for Cleggan. Drive straight through the village and after a kilometre you come to a small crossroads, where you turn right (there is a sign for the beach but it’s hidden by a B and B sign).
This is another of Mayo’s fine Blue Flag beaches, but unfortunately we didn’t see it at its best. We had rain and wind when we were there but the swimming was still good.
Carrowmore has a nice stretch of beach which looks out onto the impressive Clare Island. We were quickly into our depth and had a refreshing swim in the choppy waters. It wasn’t a day for a long swim but this must be a very attractive spot when the sun is shining.
Access to the beach is via a ramp which looks fine for wheelchairs and buggies – well done Mayo County Council.
There is a decent car park with a couple of picnic tables. It also has toilets and an outdoor tap for washing boards and wet suits.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Blue Flag beach.
Directions:
From Westport take the R335 to Louisburgh. Drive through the village and just past it you will see a right turn signposted for the beach.
