P
Where to park
Where to leave the car
Small free car park on the Slea Head Drive above the cove; it holds about fifteen cars and fills at midday.
The cove below Slea Head, with the Blasket Islands filling the horizon
A small, spectacular cove at the foot of the Slea Head cliffs, reached by a steep path from the road above. The Blaskets sit directly offshore and the Dunmore Head fields run down to the water. It is a photograph beach rather than a swimming beach: the rip here is serious and there are no lifeguards.
Where to park
Small free car park on the Slea Head Drive above the cove; it holds about fifteen cars and fills at midday.
When to arrive
Late afternoon, when the sun moves round onto the Blaskets.
Tours & excursions · Best-sellers on Viator
Hand-picked from Viator's top-rated experiences on Ireland, sorted by review volume and average rating. Free cancellation up to 24 h before, reserve now and pay later.
The long but efficient way to see Clare in a day from the capital: coach across the midlands, the Cliffs of Moher visitor experience with time at O'Brien's Tower, the limestone Burren and Poulnabrone dolmen, then Galway before the run home.
The Iveragh circuit with a driver-guide who knows where the coaches will be: Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville's Chaplin seafront, Coomakista pass, Sneem's painted squares and Ladies View over the lakes.
Eleven kilometres out into the Atlantic to the sixth-century monastery on the pinnacle, with two and a half hours ashore for the stone steps and beehive cells. Weather cancels roughly one sailing in three, so keep a spare day.
Over the Gaeltacht peninsula with stops at Inch strand, the clocháns above Slea Head, Dunquin pier and the Gallarus Oratory, with free time in Dingle town before the return.
Out through the Military Road and the Sally Gap bog to Glendalough's round tower and lakes, then south to Kilkenny for the castle, St Canice's and lunch on the Medieval Mile.
Ferry from Rossaveel to Inis Mór for Dún Aonghasa and the stone-wall lanes by bike or minibus, returning past the Cliffs of Moher at sea level, which is the angle most visitors never get.
North through the bog and the Maam valley to Kylemore Abbey and its walled garden, along Killary Harbour and back over the Twelve Bens, with a stop in Cong or Leenane.
A historian-led walk through Trinity's cobbled squares to the Book of Kells and the Long Room, then Dublin Castle, the Chester Beatty and the medieval streets of the old Norse city.
Two professional actors perform scenes from Joyce, Beckett, Behan and Wilde between four historic pubs, with the drinking done at your own pace and a quiz at the end.
Around the harbour town that started Irish food tourism, with tastings from the smokehouse, the cheesemonger, the chowder kitchens and a chocolatier, plus the story of the 1601 siege.
The Wild Atlantic Way at its emptiest: the shuttle up to the Slieve League viewpoint, Glencolmcille's folk village, then Glenveagh's castle gardens on the lough under the Derryveagh mountains.
South by coach for the 1446 castle and its gardens, the Blarney Stone if you want it, then Cobh's cathedral and Titanic quarter, and free time in Cork for the English Market.
Affiliate links with Viator: you pay the same price as on the official site, and Suites & Sunsets earns a small commission that helps keep our guides free to read.
How you get there
Steep concrete path and steps from the car park, about five minutes down and ten back up.
What you'll find
Local tips
What to avoid
Swimming at any state of tide — the current runs hard through the sound.
Around this beach
Nearest villages on Ireland — sorted by distance. Ideal bases for staying close to the beach.
Guide to the linked village
See town guide →Asked by first-time visitors
The twenty questions people put to an AI assistant before a first visit, answered here in full — logistics, itinerary, food, etiquette and the details guidebooks skip.
Practical questions about this beach
The cove below Slea Head, with the Blasket Islands filling the horizon. A small, spectacular cove at the foot of the Slea Head cliffs, reached by a steep path from the road above. The Blaskets sit directly offshore and the Dunmore Head fields run down to the water. It is a photograph beach rather than a swimming beach: the rip here is serious and there are no lifeguards. It's a sandy cove in Dunquin · Slea Head, Ireland: 200 m long, golden sand between black rock fins, with water described as clear atlantic · 13–15 °c · strong currents.
Small free car park on the Slea Head Drive above the cove; it holds about fifteen cars and fills at midday.
Late afternoon, when the sun moves round onto the Blaskets.
Steep concrete path and steps from the car park, about five minutes down and ten back up.
On site: None — no toilets, no water, no lifeguard, Nearest facilities at Dunquin pier and Interpretive signage at the viewpoint.
Treat this as a viewpoint and a paddle, not a swim Park considerately: the road is single-lane with coaches on it Combine with Dunquin pier's zigzag ramp ten minutes north
Swimming at any state of tide — the current runs hard through the sound.
Prompt pack
Use them as they are, then bring the answers back to us — we correct what the machine gets wrong about Coumeenoole with local eyes.
Human verification: every answer above has been checked against what is actually open, bookable and walkable in Coumeenoole — not generated and left unread.
Keep exploring
Editorial notice
Editorial summary produced with AI support and reviewed by a human editor. Facts are as reported by the sources linked in the text. Verify anything important before you act on it. Spotted an error? Use the contact form and we will correct it.
Last reviewed · 30 July 2026
Prices & times
All prices and times on this page are estimates and change often. They are a starting point from an independent editor, never official or guaranteed figures. Always check the final price and the opening hours with the official venue or operator before you book or travel.
Checked · 30 July 2026