Leinster is Ireland's eastern province, home to the capital Dublin and encompassing 12 counties stretching from the rolling Wicklow Mountains to the ancient passage tombs of the Boyne Valley. It blends vibrant urban culture with prehistoric monuments, medieval castles, and some of Ireland's most dramatic coastal and mountain scenery.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Leinster.
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- Blue Flag beach
- Lifeguard (July–Aug)
- Car park (€3/day)
- Café/kiosk in season
- Toilets
- Dunes
Brittas Bay
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- Blue Flag beach
- Lifeguard (July–Aug)
- Hotels nearby
- Water sports hire
- Car park
- Cafés
Rosslare Strand
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- 5km beach
- Nature reserve (UNESCO Biosphere)
- Bird watching
- Kite surfing
- Cafés at St Anne's Park end
- Free parking
Dollymount Strand (Bull Island)
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- Sheltered cove
- Free parking
- Toilets (seasonal)
- Rocky headland walk
Silver Strand
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- Blue Flag beach
- Lifeguard (July–Aug)
- Amusement park
- Restaurants
- Fishing harbour
- Car park
Courtown Beach
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- Fishing harbour
- Cliff walk
- Restaurants
- Seafood stalls
- DART access
- Panoramic views
Howth Harbour & Cliffs
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- Promenade (2km)
- Cafés and restaurants along seafront
- Bray Head walk
- Arcades
- DART access
Bray Beach
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- Shingle and sand beach
- Harbour walk
- Restaurants and cafés in village
- DART access
- Free parking nearby
Greystones Beach
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.