Donabate Beach (Balcarrick)

Just beyond the outskirts of Ireland’s capital city is the long, sandy beach of Balcarrick (or Donabate). Despite being only 22km from the centre of Dublin you will feel very much out in the countryside at Balcarrick beach.

The beach is backed by an extensive area of sand dunes which is a valuable natural habitat to a range of plants and animals. Beyond the dunes are a number of golf courses, so the views here are very much uninterrupted. The Malahide Estuary, Lambay Island and Howth Peninsula can all be seen from here.

At lower tides and towards the northern end of the beach there are plenty of rockpools to explore. Along with clean, safe (lifeguard patrolled) water this makes Donabate an ideal family beach and worthy winner of numerous Blue Flag awards.