Dromineer is a well known stopping off point for Shannon cruisers and its also a nice place to swim in the soft waters of Lough Derg.
To the left of the harbour is a sheltered area which is good for swimming, albeit somewhat stony. Go slowly as you wade in and be prepared to stand on stones. Once you get in the water is soft and fresh and you will have a refreshing dip. As for all lakes go slowly and be careful. You never know when you will hit some rocks or get entangled in weeds.
Facilities in Dromineer are good. Behind the swimming there are some seats and a car park. Back toward the harbor there are toilet facilities and showers, including one for people with disabilities. Well done to the County Council
Directions: Take the M7 from Limerick city, then take Exit 26. Follow the N52 signs for Tullamore until you come to the roundabout with a signpost for Dromineer. Take that left turn onto the R495 and in Dromineer the swimming place is to the left of the harbour
We swam in Ventry two days in a row. The first was misty and dull; the second sunny and bright. Such are the joys of swimming in Ireland. But on both days the water was clear, sandy underfoot and good to swim in, and there was very little difference in the temperature between the dull and the sunny day.
The beach at Ventry is a bit exposed so you might need a windbreak if you plan to stay for a while. But the harbour does give protection and it was good for a decent swim the days we were there.
Ventry is a Blue Flag beach with lifeguards during the summer months . The car park is small with basic toilets. Access to the beach is via a short ramp/slipway which looks both buggie and wheelchair accessible.
Directions:
From Dingle take the R559 signposted for Slea head. After about 10 kilometres you come to Ventry (Ceann Trá) and just past the village you will see a signpost on your left for the beach.
If there is such a thing as a typical Wexford beach then Morriscastle is it. A long stretch of soft sand, soft water and good facilities make this an attractive location for families and children to swim and play.
A timber boardwalk leads you onto the beach , but then runs into the soft sand which makes it manageable for buggies but not wheelchairs. On the beach there is plenty of room, but it is a bit exposed and some kind of shelter is advisable. You are into and out of your depth fairly quickly so be careful. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. As for nearly all of this coastline you will be swimming in dark, soft water. It was nice and calm when we visited and you can easily go for a good swim alongside the shoreline.
Facilities at Morriscastle are good. The large car park has good toilets and there is a shop and restaurant nearby. The beach has both the Blue Flag and Green Coast awards ..
Directions
From Courtown take the R742 for Kilmuckridge. In the centre of the town you will see a left turn signposted Morriscastle which will bring you to the car park.
A good beach but not a great one. Balbriggan beach is situated just beside the town harbour and is nice and sheltered by the harbour wall at one end and a small cliff at the other. The beach itself was quite seaweedy when we were there, although there are patches of firm sand as well.
The water is dark and sandy underfoot with a gradual wade in. it seems like a good place for children to splash and play. On a mild Saturday in June we were the only ones in the water. Nothing strange about that, unfortunately.
Behind the beach there is grassy area which would be grand for picnics and behind that again is a short coastal path. Unusually, but very welcome, this path is dotted with seats, so well done Fingal County Council.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
The beach, with an effort, is accessible for buggies. Wheelchairs would have a good bit of difficulty getting across the soft sand to the hard stuff. A 100 metre boardwalk would make all the difference and maybe the Council would add this to complement their good work with the seating .
Directions : From Dublin you take the M1 toward Belfast and leave it at Exit 6. Follow the signposts which will bring you into Balbriggan. Along the town’s Main Street watch out for a green and red signpost for the beach. There is car parking just before the railway bridge.
At Ballymoney you get two beaches for the price of one. The first, just down from the car park, is smaller, a bit stony but with good shelter. It’s a good place for families with children as the kids can’t stray too far.
As with much of this coastline, the water is soft, dark and sandy. There is a gradual wade in and when we were there it was calm and very good for swimming. The beach is buggy accessible but not for wheelchairs – yet again.
The other beach, called the North beach, is just a few minutes walk from the car park along a stony path. This one has lifeguards in the summer months and is clearly a safer place to swim. The North beach is longer, more open and a bit sandier. Again, the water here is dark and calm. When we were there in June we were the only ones swimming and so had our own personal life guard watching us from the water’s edge. Thank you Wexford County Council.
If you are planning a stay on this beach you might be advised to bring a wind break.
Ballymoney has parking space for about twenty cars and in the summer there is also a little shop in operation. There are decent toilets and the beach also has the Blue Flag award
Directions:
From Dublin you take the N11 for Wexford. You leave it at Exit 23 for Courtown and on this road, the R742 there are a couple of left turns signposted Ballymoney. Take your choice and follow the signposts.
