7 Lesser-Known Dublin Beaches You Need To Visit

Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Travel Awaits | Jun. 9, 2021

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A port city, Dublin may be known for its cruise ship and ferry connections for traveler’s comings and goings, but its beaches are often overlooked, even by the locals. But 2 miles from the center city, you can spend the day walking the sea wall or sitting on a sandy beach at Sandymount and be reminded of Dublin’s surprising nature.

Dublin Port’s Great South Wall was the largest construction project built from 1748 to 1795 as Dublin’s first breakwater. This prevented sand encroachment and stopped the need for dredging. The North Bull Wall was built in 1816. The creation of these breakwaters allowed Dublin to become a significant deep-water port.

The original length of the seawall was 3.5 miles. At the time, it was a work of engineering genius as one of the longest seawalls in the world.

his seawall’s creation led not only to increased commerce to the area but an outdoor enthusiast’s delight for another way to explore Dublin. Every time I go, I find something new to explore.

1. Sandymount

The most popular of Dublin city’s beaches, Sandymount, boasts a length of sea wall, called the Sandymount Strand, where sunbathers, beachcombers, and joggers abound alongside couples or young families strolling hand in hand. 

With food trucks, restaurants across the street, and exercise equipment, it’s everything active people could want for an afternoon at the beach. It’s a city beach with (sand) bucket loads of charm. 

When I was there, the sun came out just as I arrived. With the tide “in,” it wasn’t possible to walk out far into the Irish Sea. When the tide is “out,” you can walk for more than a mile. But check the tide charts. You do not want to get stranded.

The British built 28 Martello Towers between 1804 and 1805 as a defense against a Napoleon invasion. The Sandymount Tower 16 is one of 21 that remain standing. 

Whatever the season, the ability to walk along this stretch of beach allows your cares to sail away on the wind or out with the tide. 

2. Poolbeg

The Poolbeg Lighthouse, located at the end of the Great South Wall (aka the South Bull Wall), is where the River Liffey flows into the Irish Sea. It was painted red to designate port side for ships entering Dublin Bay. The North Bull Lighthouse, on the other side of the Bay, is painted green to indicate starboard.

The chimneys are part of a power plant decommissioned in 1976, locally referred to as “the Pigeon House.”

The 63-foot Poolbeg lighthouse is one of the better-known Dublin destinations for pharologists, aka lighthouse enthusiasts. Its granite stone pier 2.5-mile walk to the lighthouse allows walkers and joggers an excellent place to be away from traffic while out in the sea air. And gain an up close and personal experience with ferries and cargo ships.

The sharp wind, with its taste and smell of salt, the sound of seabirds and crashing waves, the touch of the firm stony pier or soft sandy beach nearby against your feet, and view across the Irish Sea allow all of your senses to be wondrously engaged.

After you’re finished with the jetty walk, though, you’ll want to stop at the wild, windswept beach on the south side of the seawall, known locally as the Shelly Banks.

Here, you can enjoy a picnic lunch or watch the waves splash against the rocks. In fine weather, you’ll see people reading or lounging on beach chairs or towels. In more typical Irish weather, you’ll spot many a “mac,” or raincoat, as rain can’t keep a hardy soul away from this beach. It’s a great place to clear your mind and refresh your spirit. 

3. Sean Moore Park And Irishtown 

With the most centrally located parking, Sean Moore Park and Play Area does have something for everyone. Several playing pitches, stone sculptures, a sundial, a state-of-the-art children’s playground, and beach access create another open nature spot for locals and visitors alike. 

You can walk up or down the Great South Wall from here, even deciding to take each direction on two different days, so you don’t over-exert yourself.

One of the hidden gems along the South Bull (Sea) Wall is the grassland known as Irishtown Nature Park. It’s a wooded coastal walkway created to protect the feeding area for light-bellied Brent geese that migrate to Dublin Bay between December and March. These geese breed in Arctic Canada during the short arctic summer and traverse nearly 5,000 miles, with a stop in Iceland, on their way to Dublin Bay. With a world population varying between 12,000 and 25,000 birds, over 10 percent spend the winter grazing eelgrass and green algae along this shoreline.

Walking inland, these 5 acres of vegetation make you forget you’re anywhere near town. But perhaps only 30 feet to the east, I found the sandy beaches easily accessible along cut-through paths made by many earlier beach lovers.

4. Skerries

Most easily accessed by DART, Skerries is north of the center city. It’s an easy mile’s walk to South Beach. It’s more of a path than a seawall here, with plenty of benches scattered along its course.

From here, you’ll spot three islands: Shenick’s, St. Patrick’s, and Colt. You can only reach the latter two by boat, but Shenick’s, where this Martello Tower resides, can be reached on foot via the sand flats at low tide. Be mindful of the tides so you don’t get trapped. 

If you reach the north end of the beach, around the horn, you’ll find St. Patrick’s Footprint, where he’s said to have first stepped foot on the island nation of Ireland. Kidnapped and enslaved twice, British subject Patrick ultimately returned to Ireland for a third time to convert to Christianity and became the patron saint of the land. 

5. Howth

Most easily accessed by DART, Howth is north of the city center. One of the best-loved walks, the Howth Cliff Path is well marked.

The Howth pier is home to food shacks with fresh fish and chips and posh restaurants. You get to choose. And if you’re there on the weekend, you can attend the Howth Market and fill your picnic basket or backpack on the way to the beach.