Ballyhiernan Bay (Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin)

Set towards the northern tip of the Fanad Peninsula is the wide sandy crescent of Ballyhiernan Bay. Backed by grassy dunes and bookmarked by the rocky headlands of Rinmore Point and Rinboy Point this is a wonderfully wild and unspoilt beach.

Just under 3 kilometres in length the beach is divided into two stretches by a rocky outcrop when the tide is in. The western beach is known as Din’s Shore whilst the beach to the east is the “White Shore”. This name doesn’t come from the colour of the sand but from the sea which is often whipped up by the Atlantic weather.

Given its exposed nature Ballyhiernan Beach is popular with surfers and there is a surf school run from the beach. It is also a great spot for taking a long bracing stroll and letting the ocean breeze blow away the cobwebs.