Ballybunion Beaches

The north and south beaches are both Blue Flag beaches and are perfect for walking, swimming, surfing and other water-sports. They are surrounded by rocky headlands, high cliffs, caves you can explore at low tide, a picture perfect castle and sand dunes and all close to the famous town of Ballybunion.

Both beaches are accessed by large, very steep concrete pavements, and divided by the cliff on which stands the ruined castle. The beach to the left of the castle (if looking toward the sea) is called the "Men's Beach", and the one to the right the "Ladies Beach", given to the fact that men used to bathe on a separate beach from women and children.

There is a small cafe, hot seaweed baths and ice cream shop on the women's beach. The large cliffs to the right of the women's beach have shallow caves.

The sheer cliffs over the beach have a scenic walking path, featuring a blowhole, views of sea stacks and a multitude of wildlife. The path takes about 20 minutes to walk, and goes round to the "Nun's Beach", a beautiful beach with no access that is overlooked by an old convent.