Best beaches in Ireland, 2026
Top-rated Ireland beaches by water quality, conditions and crowd
The top 25 beaches in Ireland ranked by the OnlyBeaches Index — a 1-10 score that blends Purity, Conditions, Crowd and Vibe.How we rank →
1OBI 7.5+
Annagh Beach
Achill, Ireland
Remote beach
2OBI 7.5+
Ardmore Beach
Ardmore, Ireland
Heritage seaside village beach
3OBI 7.5+
Ballinesker Beach
Ballinesker, Ireland
Quiet Curracloe extension
4OBI 7.5+
Ballydonegan Beach
Allihies, Ireland
Beara coast
5OBI 7.5+
Ballymastocker Bay
Fanad, Ireland
Top hidden beach
Barleycove Beach
Barleycove, Ireland
Major Mizen beach
Bertra Beach
Westport, Ireland
Accessible beach
8OBI 7.5+
Boatstrand Beach
Boatstrand, Ireland
Small harbour cove
9OBI 7.5+
Bundoran Beach
Bundoran, Ireland
Surf capital
10OBI 7.5+
Bunmahon Beach
Bunmahon, Ireland
Copper Coast highlight
11OBI 7.5+
Carrickfinn Beach
Dungloe, Ireland
Clear water beach
Carrigaholt Beach
Carrigaholt, Ireland
Estuary beach
13OBI 7.5+
Castlefreke Beach
Castlefreke, Ireland
Local favorite
Clohaninchy Beach
Doonbeg, Ireland
Wild Atlantic beach
15OBI 7.5+
Clonea Strand
Clonea, Ireland
Dungarvan’s main beach
Courtown Beach
Courtown, Ireland
Popular local resort
17OBI 7.5+
Curracloe Beach
Curracloe, Ireland
Iconic dune-backed beach
Dog’s Bay Beach
Roundstone, Ireland
Iconic white sand
19OBI 7.5+
Duncannon Beach
Duncannon, Ireland
Historic beach village
Dunworley Beach
Dunworley, Ireland
Quiet West Cork
Errislannan Beach
Ballyconneely, Ireland
Quiet beach
Fanore Beach
Fanore, Ireland
Burren coastline
23OBI 7.5+
Five Finger Strand
Malin, Ireland
Iconic dunes
Flaggy Shore
New Quay, Ireland
Unique shoreline
Garretstown Beach
Garretstown, Ireland
Popular surf beach