IRISH BEACHES - A Short Guide to the Best of Ireland’s Coast: Twenty beaches worth the journey — from Dublin’s doorstep to the Wild Atlantic Way

Twenty beaches worth the journey — from Dublin's doorstep to the Wild Atlantic Way.

A German who came to Dublin and fell for the Irish coast, Harm Linnecke spends his weekends on these beaches and this is his personal guide to the twenty he thinks are genuinely worth your time.

This isn't a comprehensive list of every strand in Ireland. It's a chosen one. From the Velvet Strand at Portmarnock, where the first Atlantic flights took off, to the turquoise horseshoe of Keem Bay on Achill; from the Forty Foot where Dubliners have plunged for 250 years, to the golden sweep of Ballymastocker in Donegal — each beach comes with the things you actually need to know.

For every beach, you'll find:

• Why it's special, and the history and stories behind it
• Honest swimming advice including which beaches are not safe, and why
• How to get there by car, DART, bus or bike
• Where to eat, what to see nearby, and when the beach is at its best
• Facts, figures and local knowledge you won't find on a signpost

Grouped into three easy parts — north of Dublin, south of Dublin, and the showcase beaches of the wider coast — plus practical guides to swimming safely in Irish waters, reading the tides, and what to pack.

Whether you're a visitor planning a trip, a Dubliner looking past the usual spots, or simply someone who loves the sea, this is your invitation to the best of Ireland's coast.

Take the weather as it comes, respect the sea, and give yourself time to stand and look.