Trá an Dóilín Beach (Coral Strand)

© Miss Steel and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Located in the Irish-speaking region (Gaeltacht) of Connemara is the beach of Trá an Dóilín. Well known for its clear water and fine golden sand the beach here is actually quite unique geologically.

Also known as Coral Strand the beach has some fine 'coral'. Although not true coral, the appearance is similar and the maerl (as it is known) is, like coral, produced by tiny animals. In this case coraline algae. In fact the sand isn't sand either, it is 'biogenic gravel'!

As would be expected from a regular Blue Flag candidate the water is as clean as it looks and there are plenty of amenities, including a seasonal lifeguard service.