Magheroarty Beach

Magheroarty Beach comprises of a 3 kilometre curve of pristine sand on the northwestern edge of Donegal. At one end is a little harbour whilst the other end is tantalisingly close to the little island of Inishbofin. I have heard that on the lowest of tides the spit of sand at the end of the beach (An Clochán) does join up with the island, but even if that is the case, it’s a one-way trip!

Some way beyond Inishbofin is the much larger Tory Island. Ireland’s most remote inhabited island, you can catch a ferry over from the pier at Magheroarty.

While the views out to sea are enhanced by the islands, particularly at sunset, the backdrop is fairly impressive too. Beyond the dunes it isn’t long before the landscape heads skywards with the Muckish and the Derryveagh mountains.

Being relatively remotely located Magheroarty is both unspoiled and light on amenities. There are toilets and a car park but you won’t find any lifeguards or (as far as we know) a cafe on the beach.

Behind the beach is the shallow, sandy expanse of Ballyness Bay. A Special Area of Conservation (SAC) this estuary is home to an array of birdlife along with seals and otters.