4 of the Best Coastal Towns to Visit in Ireland

With well over 3000km of Irish coastline, there is no shortage of beautiful seaside towns and villages dotted around the country. Ireland has so much to offer on our coast from bustling beach towns to quaint fishing villages.

Now that longer days and better weather is fast approaching, we’re giving you 4 of the best coastal destinations to explore in Ireland this summer season.

Lahinch, Co Clare

Located on the west coast in Co. Clare, Lahinch is Ireland’s surfers paradise with world class surfing conditions all year round. It’s also a haven for other water sports such as kitesurfing, fishing and sailing. If golf is more your thing then playing a round at Lahinch Golf Club will surely tick all the boxes.

In the town itself, there are dozens of great cafes, restaurants and pubs to visit with live traditional music to be found in many of the pubs including Kenny’s Bar and The Nineteenth Bar.

The stunning Cliffs of Moher are just a 15 minute drive from Lahinch town making it a great base to explore all that the West Clare coast has to offer.

[image by: Wild Atlantic Way]

[image by: Wild Atlantic Way]

Carlingford, Co Louth

Carlingford is a picturesque fishing village located near the border with Northern Ireland between the mountains of the Cooley Peninsula and Carlingford Lough. The area is awash with historical sites including the ruins of King John’s Castle, a Norman castle which was built to protect the entrance to the lough. (Corraway, 2015)

Modern day Carlingford boasts a lively atmosphere and is a popular choice for Hen and Stag parties due to the amount of pubs and restaurants in the town.

For hiking enthusiasts, there are a number of hiking trails and walking routes in the area including the Slieve Foye Loop which offers breathtaking views over Carlingford and the Irish Sea.

[image by: Visit Louth]

Baltimore, Co Cork

There are so many options of beautiful coastal towns and villages in Co Cork, that it’s difficult to pick just one. We chose Baltimore as it’s a little bit off the main tourist trail but it still has all the hustle and bustle of a busy fishing village. What’s more, it also acts as a gateway to the islands of Sherkin, Heir and Cape Clear.

Baltimore is steeped in maritime history, so much so that in 1631, a large proportion of its population was attacked and captured by pirates on what became known as the Sack of Baltimore (Hayes, 2021). For more history check out Baltimore’s iconic landmark, The Beacon. This whitewashed beacon was built at the order of the British Government following the 1798 Rebellion. You can walk from the village or take the short drive up to the Beacon for stunning views over the sea and rugged coastline. 

[image by: Wild Atlantic Way]

You won’t be short of options for food and drink in Baltimore with Casey’s and Jacobs Bar being firm favourites tourists and locals alike. 

Baltimore has several festivals throughout the year celebrating different aspects of culture, food and music so keep an eye on the village’s website to keep up to date with events all season long. 

[image by: Wild Atlantic Way]

Skerries, Co Dublin

If you’re in Dublin and looking to escape the madness of the city, then a day trip to Skerries is a fabulous option. Located in north county Dublin, Skerries has grown in popularity as a commuter base. However, it still retains its charm as a beautiful harbour town with lively pubs and restaurants filled with delicious seafood. The are several beaches and swimming spots to choose from in and around Skerries making it the perfect place to escape to on a warm summer’s day. 

[image by: Marinas.com

So there are 4 of the best coastal towns and villages in Ireland. Did we miss any of your favourites? Leave a comment below and let us know what to check out next.

Blogpost by: Eila (Ireland)

#Ireland #coastalvillages #coastaltowns #Irishroadtrip #wildatlanticway #CoDublin #CoCork #CoLouth #CoClare

Reference List:

Corrway, Laura. (2015) “The History and Architecture of King John’s Castle in Carlingford: A View on the West Side.” Journal of the County Louth Archaeological and Historical Society, vol. 28, no. 3, 2015, pp. 351–60. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44508600. Accessed 19 Mar. 2023.

Hayes, K. (2021) The Sack of Baltimore – the Pirates Came at Night. Available at: https://www.landscapephotographyireland.com/the-sack-of-baltimore/ (Accessed: March 19, 2023).