gordon stokes photography

Sand and beaches of Connemara

Connemara has a mix of sands. Most are related to its granite, but there are many shell and even some 'coral' beaches.

Gorteen Bay, near Roundstone
Gorteen Bay

Bits of Gorteen Bay can get quite busy on a sunny weekend, but walk beyond the graveyard and it's pretty quiet. The sand is almost powdery.

Gorteen Bay, near Roundstone
 

Dog's Bay, near Roundstone
Dog's Bay

Dog's Bay is the other side of the tombolo from Gorteen Bay. Much nicer then the name implies.

Dog's Bay, near Roundstone
 

Bunowen Bay
Bunowen Bay

Bunowen Bay is a little port with a fish smokery nearby and good views to the 12 Pins of Connemara

Bunowen Bay
 

Aillebrack
Aillebrack

Aillebrack is a brilliant beach. Serene and gentle, and the golf course above it is well worth a visit for the bar/ café

Aillebrack
 

Mannin Bay
Mannin Bay

There are loads of beaches along the north of the peninsula that goes west of Ballyconeely. They nearly all have dunes behind with 'machair' as found in the Outer Hebrides. Very peaceful as long as the roaming cattle aren't too inquisitive

Mannin Bay
 

Mannin Bay coral beach
Mannin Bay coral beach

It's not really coral but the remains of a type of seaweed. It's a sort of limestone. Many people visiting don't notice that it's not sand, but some of the pieces are very large, mixed in with shells

Mannin Bay coral beach
 

Clifden boat house
Clifden boat house

Clifden doesn't have a beach, but just a mile out of town is the boathouse, with a nice laid back café and a small but unassuming beach

Clifden boat house
 

Omey Island
Omey Island

Omey Island is only an island at high tide. The rest of the time you can drive across the beach to get there, though it makes a lot more sense to walk, unless you live there

Omey Island
 

Aughrus
Aughrus

Not really a beach but there's sand in the coves and it's a great area to explore

Aughrus
 

Sellerna Bay
Sellerna Bay

A lovely quiet beach where you can watch the boats going to Inishbofin and gaze towards the mountains and cliffs on Achill Island, visible towards the right

Sellerna Bay
 

Bundouglas
Bundouglas

A little beach with curraghs on the beach and a horse that comes and says hello

Bundouglas
 

Ardkyle
Ardkyle

Don't let the seaweed in this photo put you off. This bit goes out to a rocky outcrop cut off at high tide

Ardkyle
 

Rusheenduff
Rusheenduff

There are many beaches on the Renvyle peninsula. This one has a car park and is next to a camp site but don't let that put you off

Rusheenduff
 

Lettergesh
Lettergesh

You won't find Lettergesh on the map, but it's not far from 'Lettergesh East' which is the the western side of Benchoona. A lovely beach that suffered from storm damage in the winter of 2013-14

Lettergesh
 

Cullin River Estuary
Cuillin River Estuary

Sand in river estuaries is always worth a look (as long it's not mud, or worse still, quicksand)

Cullin River Estuary
 

Glassillaun
Glassillaun

Glassillaun is just magic, even in dreadful weather

Glassillaun
 

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© Gordon Stokes, 1980-2018