Ireland’s coastline is no secret, but its quieter corners still whisper their songs to those who listen closely. Beyond the famed strands of Dog’s Bay and Inch Beach lie otherworldly crescents of sand and stone, lapped by tide and time.
These are the beaches that don’t clamor for attention, but reward the curious traveler with wild beauty, solitude, and a kind of wonder that settles in your soul and stays there forever. If you’re looking for Ireland’s coastal hush, its salt-laced secrets, this is where to begin.
Doughmore Beach, Co. Clare
Doughmore stretches wide and windblown, with waves that crash like distant drums. It’s beloved by surfers and walkers alike, though you won’t find the usual beachside bustle here. Instead, you get sky, sea, and silence. It’s like the horizon leans in just for you.
It’s not a swimming beach, due to strong currents, but it’s an ideal place if you want to roam. The dunes are sprawling and majestic, and the sense of space, of vastness, is humbling. There’s something elemental about Doughmore. You’ll feel it the moment you arrive.
Ards Forest Park Beach, Co. Donegal
Ards Forest Park has a secret: a sprawling network of trails, woods, and coves. And, tucked inside, you’ll find a sandy shoreline that feels enchanted. Surrounded by whispering trees and kissed by slow-moving waves of Sheephaven Bay, it’s a spot where forest and sea engage in a secret love affair.
The sand here is soft and golden; the water is calm and reflective. It’s perfect for a quiet picnic, a contemplative stroll, or a moment of stillness beneath the shifting Donegal skies. The park’s trails weave through oak and hazel before opening to the shoreline, making each arrival feel like a quiet revelation.
Kinard Strand, Co. Kerry
East of Dingle, tucked beneath the sleeping slopes of Mount Brandon, you’ll find Kinard Strand, a brooding, cinematic stretch of coastland marked by a sea stack, An Searrach, that rises out of the water like a myth made stone. At first glance, the beach appears to be very stony. But, venture further out and soft patches of sand will emerge like hidden treasures.
This isn’t the place for sunbathing. It’s the place for dramatic skies, waves that roar and hush, and long walks that feel like you’re walking through a story. You’ll find few signs and even fewer people – just the sea in conversation with the cliffs, and maybe a curious sheep or two watching from above.
If you drive the Wild Atlantic Way, you’ll find yourself in Kerry at some point. Here are ten spectacular beaches along the drive that might also deserve a spot on your list.
Ballyquin Beach, Co. Waterford
A few miles west of the sweet village of Ardmore, Ballyquin is a whisper of a beach, framed by grassy headlands and beloved by swimmers and locals in the know. It’s a gentle crescent, kissed by the Celtic Sea and perfect for long, meditative walks with only the sound of your footsteps and the tide.
There’s a timelessness here. Fishing boats bob on the horizon, and the air smells of salt and seaweed. At low tide, the beach stretches far and wide, revealing rippled sands that catch the light like glass. It’s a peaceful place, just far enough away from the beaten path to feel like a discovery.
Bettystown Beach, Co. Meath
Only a stone’s throw from Dublin, Bettystown manages to keep a low profile despite its sweeping sands and rich folklore. The strand is long and generous, with fine sand that catches the morning light like spun sugar. It’s a beach that locals treasure and travelers often overlook.
History clings to this coastline. It’s where the Tara Brooch was discovered in the 19th century, glinting in the sand like something out of a myth. The town behind it is charming in a quiet, lived-in way. You might come for the serenity, but you’ll stay for the stories.
Trá na mBó, Co. Waterford
Back along the Copper Coast, you’ll find Trá na mBó (the “strand of the cows”), a small and poetic curve of shoreline where the Atlantic drifts in like an old friend. Framed by weathered stones and whispering fields, this beach hums with a quiet intimacy.
The name comes from a local tale: cows once grazed so close to the shore, they’d often wander right onto the strand. Today, it’s mostly wandered by those who seek the unspoiled and the unassuming. Come to Trá na mBó to watch the light shift on the waves, to beachcomb for old shells, and to sit on a flat rock as you listen to the hush of Waterford’s soul.
Trá Bán, Great Blasket Island, Co. Kerry
We must return to Kerry for our final beach. Reachable only by boat and blessedly untouched by the modern world, Trá Bán is the very definition of secluded majesty. Once home to a small Irish-speaking community, the Great Blasket now echoes with seabird cries and the hush of memory.
The beach itself unfurls like cream beneath towering cliffs, wild and radiant against the island’s craggy green. When you set foot on its sand, you’ll feel time unspool. It’s a place that asks us to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and hear the old songs of the Atlantic in every wave.
This is no quick stop. It’s a pilgrimage. Catch a ferry from Dún Chaoin, bring your walking shoes, and let the island’s quiet wildness swallow you whole. On a sunny day, the turquoise waters shimmer like the Caribbean, but the wind and soul of it are pure Kerry.
The Quiet Glory of Ireland’s Lesser-Known Shorelines
These are the strands that don’t show up in glossy brochures and people’s Instagram posts, but they’re the ones that will stay with you forever. We’d go so far as to say they’re not just beaches; they’re doorways to Ireland’s wilder heart. So go. Pack light, follow the small roads, and let the sea find you.
Before you select your favorite bathing suit and sarong, wade through our library of destination guides on Ireland and beyond. We’ll help you drive from coast to coast, visiting the prettiest villages along the way and indulging in the most eclectic cities on the Isle. And, until we meet amidst a pod of mermaids, we wish you safe travels as you prepare to enter the portal to this magical land.