Blue Flag Beaches

PICTURE HERE

Loughrea lake is an inland bathing area on the shores of Lough Rea lake. From Galway city, take the N6 east for about 30 miles to the town of Loughrea. The Lake is situated directly south of the town, with the Long Point located at the southern end of the lake. Loughrea is of international importance for waterfowl and is a designated Natural Heritage Area. On the northern shore of the lake, a walkway is provided along the promenade through Corry’s Field which is located adjacent to the Fair Green on the Gort Road. This walkway passes through almost 15 acres of natural wetlands and meadow dotted with wildflowers and provides good vantage points for birdwatchers.   

Loughrea Lake - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWL29_194_0100 

PICTURE HERE

Inis Oírr is the smallest of the Aran Islands and lies approximately 17km off the Galway coast and 9km off the Clare coast. There are a number of ways to reach the Island including by boat either directly from Galway City Dockside, Ros a Mhil (Rossaveal) in Connemara or from Doolin in County Clare. The island can also be reached by air from Connemara Airport in Indreabhan (Inverin). The beach is on the northern coast of the island and has fine white sands and clear blue seas. It is adjacent to the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which covers approximately 75% of the island, with the entire area of considerable interest in terms of its biodiversity, archaeology, and cultural interests.   

Trá Inis Oírr - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWC010_0000_0250 

Trá an Dóilin is an area of great natural beauty. From Galway City, head west on the R336, past An Spidéil and on towards Casla. Turn left at Casla on the R343 towards An Ceathrú Rua (Carraroe). The beach is located approximately 2km to the south-west of the village and faces west across Greatman’s Bay to Garmna Island. The beach is often referred to as ‘the Coral Beach’ as it is composed of very fine coral rather than sand. This originates from red coraline seaweed which grows along the west coast of Ireland with extensive beds in Greatmen’s Bay.   The seaweed secretes a limey substance which stiffens its fronds, and when it dies, the twig-like ‘stone’ fragments are washed up on the beach. This type of beach material is washed up at only a few locations in Ireland and is a unique and fragile habitat.  

Trá an Dóilin - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWC200_0000_0100 

An Trá Mhór is a sandy beach in a rural, Irish speaking area. Take the R336 from Galway city and the beach is located between the villages of An Spidéal and Indreabhán. An Trá Mhór (‘the big strand’) is located in a designated Special Protection Area (SPA), which indicates its importance for wildlife. Large numbers of wintering wetland birds have been recorded, and the golden sands are home to many animals. When you look closely, you will notice progressive bands of varying colours on the outcrops of smooth granite rock which creates the rocky shore, which reflect the different plants and animals that live in different zones of the rocky shore. 

An Trá Mhór - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWC010_0000_0300 

Portumna town is located on the N65 about 64km from Galway City and 57km from Athlone Town, Co. Westmeath. The bathing area is situated at the head of Lough Derg about 1.5km south of Portumna town centre. The clean, clear water at the Bathing Area is a great place to swim, picnic, birdwatch, or just sit and enjoy. Follow the access road at the end of the bathing area to the angling stands – brown trout, pike, perch, roach, bream and pollan are all found in Lough Derg. If you feel like going offshore, you can canoe, kayak or SUP (stand up paddle board) along four blueway trails that start from here. Alternatively, take a walk in the 450 hectare Portumna Forest Park, visit the 17th century Portumna Castle and its gardens, or explore the Irish Workhouse Centre. 

Portumna Bathing Area - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IESHBWL25_191a_0100 

PICTURE HERE

Traught Beach lies in a Special Area of Conservation called the Galway Bay Complex. It is a rural beach approximately 4km west of Kinvara and is a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point on the N67 national route. Located on the edge of the Burren, the typical karst limestone of this region fringes the shoreline at Traught. In the intertidal zone, this limestone has been further sculpted into rockpools which support a myriad of plant life with the range and diversity of habitats of unique conservation value. The site is also of special interest for waterfowl.  

Traught Beach - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWC160_0000_0100 

An Spidéal is a picturesque seaside village approximately 19km from Galway City on the R336 coast road. Céibh an Spidéil is a long sandy cove located just to the east of the village, along the road that enters the village. It is bound by a large stone fishing pier and an area of rocky shore, and activities include swimming and angling. There is a variety of plants and wildlife to be seen, and otters or seals can be spotted on the shoreline. Céibh an Spideíl has been awarded a Blue Flag in 2025 for the first time in over a decade.   

Céibh an Spideíl - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWT180_0100_0100 

PICTURE HERE

This is a sandy beach situated on Inishmore Island which is the largest of the Aran Islands. The beach is located on the mid-north coast of the island and consists of a sheltered sandy shore with rocky shore at both its western and eastern extremities. This whole area is rich in habitats with the birdlife considered of international significance, due to the presence of significant numbers of bird species listed under Annex 1 of the European Birds Directive.    

Cill Mhuirbhigh - Beaches.ie: https://www.beaches.ie/find-a-beach/#/beach/IEWEBWC010_0000_0200