Courtown is a popular holiday spot with a long, family friendly beach. Recent bad weather has done some damage to the beach’s ‘infrastructure’ but it is still a very attractive spot to stroll and swim.
There is a gradual wade in at Courtown and its generally sandy underfoot. The beach is reasonably sheltered with rocks and some sand dunes to the rear, so you will often find the water calm and good for swimming. Children are regularly seen playing and splashing at the water’s edge.
If its walking you like then Courtown beach is about four kilometres long and you can go further all the way to Ballymoney if you want.
Access to the beach can be found from the large car park to the left of the town. From there you cross a bridge and another small parking area will lead you to a wooden ramp and then onto the beach. It appears to be both wheelchair and buggy accessible.
Apart from the beach, the car park also leads to an indoor pool, a playground and forest walks. So, all in all this is a good place for families to come for a beach outing.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Blue Flag beach
Directions
From Gorey get onto the R742 which will lead you straight to Courtown.
Ballinesker is really just an extension of the long stretch from Curracloe . That means miles of beach with dunes to the rear. Again, it’s quite open and you will be exposed when it’s windy.
There is a gradual wade in to the water and it’s sandy underfoot. If you are up to it you can have a very long swim alongside the beach. And if you have children with you there is any amount of space for them to run and play. Blue Flag beach.
Ballinesker has a good sized car park with toilets. There is a boardwalk which goes half way to the beach and then runs into soft sand, which makes it inaccessible for wheelchairs. Why?
Directions
From Wexford take the R741 road toward Gorey and Dublin. After a few kilometres turn right onto the R742 signposted for Curracloe and Courtown.. Drive through Curracloe and within a couple of kilometres you will come to a right turn signposted for the beach.
If it’s long beaches you want, then go to Curracloe.
This is a wide expanse of beach which must be six kilometres long if you take in the whole stretch up to Blackwater Head. In fact, this whole coastline from Ballymoney to Wexford appears to be just one long beach.
So, there is plenty of sand in Curracloe but also lots of water. You can get into your depth fairly quickly here and it’s sandy underfoot, so it’s a good place for a swim. However, the beach is fairly exposed so the water can get choppy. If you are thinking of spending some time here, bring your windbreak.
Curracloe has a good sized car park, with toilets nearby. A board walk runs from the car park up to the beach, but then runs into the sand, literally, before you reach the hard sand. Why this happens we don’t know but it does mean the beach isn’t wheelchair accessible, but you will manage with buggies.
Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Blue Flag beach.
Directions
From Wexford take the R471 toward Gorey and Dublin. After a few kilometres take a right turn onto the R742 signposted Curracloe and Courtown. In Curracloe take a right turn onto the R743 signposted for the beach. This road will lead you to the car park.
Stroove is another of Donegal’s many fine beaches. This is of the smaller variety and all the better if you like your swimming compact and sheltered. Rocks at either end add to the shelter that is available.
Cliffs at either end also give protection and when we were there the crystal clear water was fresh and calm for swimming . While the wade in was quite gradual, you are out of your depth fairly quickly so be careful.
Stroove has a fairly good sized car park along with a couple of picnic tables and portaloos.
Blue Flag beach . Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months.
Access to the beach is down a couple of sandy but rough paths, which are buggy but not wheelchair accessible.
From Derry you take the A2 to Muff and then pick up the R238 which runs alongside Lough Foyle. As you pass through Greencastle watch out for a right turn onto the R241 which will bring you to Dunagree Head and the beach.
Located just outside Emyvale, Emy Lough is an attractive location for anyone looking for a swim along the N2 between Derry and Dublin. It would provide a welcome break and chance to stretch, splash and play on a family journey.
The lake itself is well maintained with a short wooded walkway leading to a swimming area with a couple of benches and a children’s slide.
There is a dark sandy area here where you wade in and it is soft underfoot. You are gradually into your depth and it seems to be a good place for children to splash around. However, like all lakes you need to be careful and beware of rocks under the dark water. We can’t vouch for the cleanliness and there is a sign at the car park warning of algae.
A decent sized car park, along with a couple of picnic tables and a well kept grassy area makes Emy Lough a good place for a swim, a picnic and a stroll.
Emyvale is about 6/7 kilometres before the border on the N2 between Dublin and Derry. Coming from Dublin , as you enter Emyvale, watch out for a right turn signposted Emy Lough. A couple of kilometres along this road will bring you to a left turn signposted for the lake.
Photos of Emmy Lough by Brian KennyPhotos of Emmy Lough by Annette Vaucanson Kelly, 2020
