Five Finger Strand Beach

Backed by some of the tallest, steepest dunes you’ll find anywhere in Ireland, Five Finger Strand is a beautifully wild stretch of golden sand.

The dunes here are said to be around 5,000 years old and measure up to 30 metres high. They are reputed to be the tallest Marram grass dunes anywhere in Europe.

In case you are wondering why the beach is called Five Finger Strand, it comes from the five sea stacks that rise from the water at the northern end of the beach - see the third photo.

With its position on Trawbreaga Bay, at the mouth of a tidal estuary the currents here can be treacherous. Five Finger Strand is somewhere you should never swim as it is extremely dangerous.

This is more of a beach for just taking in your surroundings and enjoying a bracing walk and keeping an eye out for some of the local wildlife.