One of the unexpected pleasures of holidays in Ireland has to be the breathtaking beaches dotted around our beautiful coastline. From rugged spots, to water sports havens, white sand beaches and hidden gems, the beaches of Ireland have something for everyone.
Even with such stiff competition, the beaches of Wexford are considered some of the very best in Ireland. They have even been selected by Hollywood and you’ll see our beaches in blockbusters including Saving Private Ryan and Brooklyn. There are 250 kilometres of lovely coastline in County Wexford alone and therefore quite a lot of beaches to choose from! There are seven beaches which have been awarded Blue Flags for their water quality and facilities. There are also thirteen which have received the Green Coast Award for beaches which have both excellent water quality and are prized for their natural, unspoilt environment.
We love the beaches of Wexford for their stunning sand and clean water and our guests at Hookless Holiday Homes all tell us that a trip to the beach is an essential for every holiday here. Not only does Wexford have the best beaches, but we’re also known for some of the best weather! While not tropical, our picturesque area is known as the sunny southeast and boasts some of the warmest weather in Ireland, which makes a visit to the beach even more enjoyable
There’s nothing quite like a dose of “Vitamin Sea”, fresh air and sand between your toes to melt away and stress and strain. A bucket and spade, a ball and a picnic is all you need for an amazing family day at the beach. These simple pleasures never age and you will create magical memories which will last a lifetime.
With so much choice, it can be hard to know where to start, so to help you discover the very best beaches of Wexford we’ve put together our top picks. We’ve grouped them in two categories, under and hour and over an hour from Hookless Holiday Homes.
Beaches in Wexford within easy reach of Hookless Holiday Homes
Sandeel Bay
We are very lucky to have the beautiful Sandeel Bay right on our doorstep, said by many to be one of Ireland’s best kept secret beaches. It is just a three-minute walk from our Sea View Houses and is a real favourite with our families who love to explore the rockpools and play on the golden sands.
It is a lovely place to swim and to fish and it is a top draw for our visitors, especially during the summer months.
Duncannon Beach
Duncannon Beach is another local favourite! Thanks to being south facing and sheltered it is a real sun trap. It’s also protected from the bigger waves, so it’s great for swimming. At the north end you’ll find a striking fort which has a maritime museum, art gallery and café, perfect for when you’ve had enough of the sand.
Duncannon Beach is also known for hosting some great events, including the Sand Sculpting festival and the kite-surfing event Kitefest. It is popular with families as you can drive and park right on the beach and it’s just a 15 minute drive from our self-catering holiday homes.
Rosslare Strand Beach
This Blue Flag beach may not offer the white sand of some of Wexford’s favourite beaches, but its location in the sunniest place in Ireland definitely boosts its popularity. There’s easy access and good parking. Plus, it’s great for swimming as it is sheltered and there are lifeguards in the summer.
If you want to get active this is a good choice as there’s a beachside sports centre with plenty of water sports equipment for hire and you can take lessons too. It is just under an hour from us in Hookless Holiday Homes, scraping into this section at a 56-minute drive according to Google maps.
Over an hour from Hookless Holiday Homes but well worth the drive
Curracloe Beach
There are lots of lists where those in the know choose their favourite beaches, and Curracloe Beach is consistently ranked the very best beach in the area. TripAdvisor travellers, The Irish Road Trip, The Beach Guide and Ireland Before you Die all place this in first position in their list of recommendations, so we think this one is definitely worth the drive. It is much loved for the combination of white, soft sand and pristine dunes.
Curracloe Beach is popular with holidaymakers, residents and filmmakers alike, who featured this beautiful stretch of sand in the movie Brooklyn. However, because of its famous beauty it can get quite busy in summer. Curracloe Beach is located just over an hour from Hookless Holiday Homes.
Morriscastle Beach
If you want to walk for miles with the sand between your toes, make a beeline for Morriscastle Beach. As well as being a Blue Flag beach, it also holds the title for the longest unbroken stretch of beach in Europe, an incredible 20 kilometres!
With all this sand and lovely dunes to explore you’ll certainly have room to spread out and enjoy the lovely beach and clean waters. It is under an hour and a half from our self-catering accommodation.
Ballymoney Beach
Ballymoney offers not one but two sandy beaches and is a real local favourite, especially in summer months. It has a Green Flag Award and on the southern beach there are toilets, a shop and easy access to the nearby village – there is even a friendly local seal. It is located around an hour and a half away from Hookless Holiday Homes.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the beaches you have to choose from on your next holiday in Wexford. Take a look at the Wexford Beach Directory for the full list. We’re proud to be located in the picturesque location of the Hook Peninsula with panoramic sea views, a stunning beach just a few minutes’ walk away and the historic Hook Lighthouse.
Our guests love the views and being able to try their hand at sea kayaking, kite surfing and coasteering during their stay. If you love to be beside the seaside, ask us about our Sea View houses and let us be the perfect base for your holiday in Ireland.