Connemara has a mix of sands. Most are related to its granite, but there are many shell and even some 'coral' beaches.
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.
Dog's Bay
Dog's Bay is the other side of the tombolo from Gorteen Bay. Much nicer then the name implies.
Bunowen Bay
Bunowen Bay is a little port with a fish smokery nearby and good views to the 12 Pins of Connemara
Aillebrack
Aillebrack is a brilliant beach. Serene and gentle, and the golf course above it is well worth a visit for the bar/ café
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
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
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
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
Aughrus
Not really a beach but there's sand in the coves and it's a great area to explore
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
A little beach with curraghs on the beach and a horse that comes and says hello
Don't let the seaweed in this photo put you off. This bit goes out to a rocky outcrop cut off at high tide
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
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
Sand in river estuaries is always worth a look (as long it's not mud, or worse still, quicksand)
Glassillaun is just magic, even in dreadful weather
© Gordon Stokes, 1980-2018