Before the summer ends, a trip to the beach might be in order sooner than we may think.

However, instead of heading to your local beach or favourite seaside spot, why don’t you explore some of the hidden gems that the island of Ireland has to offer? 

Dotted around the country and boasting stellar views, Ireland’s hidden seaside locations are something to behold, but are not as well known because they are—well—hidden!

THE TINY HIDDEN BEACH — HOWTH, DUBLIN

Nestled between the Howth Cliffs, offering some of the clearest waters around the country, the Tiny Hidden Beach is a secret gem adored by locals in the Dublin 13 area. 

Getting to the beach is an adventure in itself, with only a tight, narrow and steep trail leading down to the waterside—when you see the views, the walk is worth it!

The stunning spot is only a short drive, DART or Dublin Bus journey from the city centre and surrounding suburbs. Public transport gets you to Howth Summit in approximately 25 minutes—an ideal day out with less than 30 minutes of travel. Count us in. 

Once you get there, you’ll realise that there is nothing better than having the beach all to yourself. 

DOG’S BAY BEACH – GALWAY 

Dog’s Bay Beach in Co Galway should definitely make your list of ‘must-visit’ beaches around Ireland. Quietly nestled into the Galway coast, the white sandy beach boasts tropical looking waters, ideal for a swim when the sun makes an appearance. 

Miles and miles of the stunning West Coast can be taken in from the quiet shores of Dog’s Bay while you enjoy some peace and quiet on this hidden gem that not many are aware of. 

Located just 90 minutes from Galway City Centre and under 30 minutes from Clifden, it makes for a great summer day out for those looking to explore Ireland’s stunning coastline in peace. 

SILVER STRAND BEACH — CORK

Next, we head to the south of the country, where it is no secret that the views are unparalleled, and Silverstrand is no exception.

Hidden on the must-visit Sherkin Island, Silver Strand is just a short ferry crossing from Baltimore. It offers lush, sandy beaches and some of Ireland’s most stunning sea views.

An extra treat on arrival is sure to be uninterrupted views of Cape Clear Island as you relax in the tranquillity of the island, hidden away from the pressures of working life—Sounds Fabulous!

KEEM BAY BEACH — MAYO

Keem Bay is most definitely one of the true wonders of the Irish landscape, tucked into the scenic coast of Achill in the breathtaking surroundings of West Co Mayo. 

Framed by a magical landscape, the journey to Keem Bay will be just as enjoyable as the location itself. 

Keem Bay offers a host of surfing activities and schools, so the watersports enthusiast will be in their element—who knows, the odd basking shark or dolphin might pop up to the surface to say hello. 

KILLINEY BEACH — DUBLIN

Almost everyone in Dublin knows that a day out in Dalkey or Killiney is a right of passage when the sun comes out. With the 40-foot just a short walk away, it’s the perfect afternoon out—or is it?

Located just south of Killiney, down below the breathtaking views of Killiney Hill and the refreshing Vico Road walkway, lies Killiney Beach, and it is truly something!

Ideal for a stroll, sunbathing or a swim, Killiney Beach offers picturesque sandy shores and views stretching from Howth all the way down to Bray in Co Wicklow, which was recently placed in the top 25 list of underrated travel destinations. 

INCHYDONEY BEACH— CORK

A second entry for the Cork Coast and located just 90 minutes from the City Centre, Inchydoney is a sight to behold. 

Take a walk along the stunning beaches rife with natural beauty and expansive golden sands that will make you feel like you’re in a luxury holiday destination. 

Why not make a weekend of it? Check into the elegant Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa and take in the amazing views of the untouched sand dunes from your private balcony. 

FANORE BEACH — CLARE 

If you’re planning to visit popular tourist attractions like the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher, why not add a hidden jewel to your travel plan? 

Located just outside the small village of Fanore, nestled in Galway Bay, the Co Clare beach offers everything you could want for a relaxing day by the sea. 

With breathtaking views and ample opportunities for relaxation, it promises to be a truly serene experience for those looking for tranquility this Bank Holiday. 

BURROW BEACH — SUTTON, DUBLIN

A second entry for Dublin 13, Burrow Beach or The Hole in the Wall, is the lesser-known neighbour of Claremont Beach. 

Hidden from plain sight, with postcard-like views of Portmarnock, the soft, white sandy beaches and lack of a crowd make this the perfect hidden gem for those staying in the hustle and bustle of suburban Dublin this weekend. 

So, next time you’re up for a trip to the beach and don’t fancy facing the crowds in all of the hotspots, keep this quiet sandy haven just minutes from Howth, Portmarnock, Malahide and Sutton in mind!

DERRYNANE BEACH — KERRY

Sheltered into the Kerry coast and tucked away from the public eye, Derrynane Beach is one of the many tremendous areas of natural beauty that the south has to offer. 

The bay is a renowned centre for all types of Watersports: swimming, diving, kayaking, canoeing, surfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, and, of course, sailing.

Located in the natural harbour of Derrynane Bay, the quaint surroundings and tranquil location will take your breath away every time you step onto its unparalleled strands. 

I recently took an informal inventory of my gear to try and figure out what piece I’ve used the most over the past three months. A favorite pair of Altra running shoes and a Salsa bike were near the top, but as I finished the tally, it became clear that individually sealed wipe packets, like those from Dude Wipes and Goodwipes, led the way by a longshot. I’ve used them countless times in every scenario imaginable, and trust me, I’ve never regretted carrying one with me while playing outside.

One standout moment was during an epic backpacking trip with my kids in the San Pedro Parks Wilderness; my wife and I relied on wipes to keep their faces (somewhat) clean during three days in the dirt. Another was the weekend I spent camping out of a car at Overland Expo West, where a morning face wipe-down was equally as important as my daily coffee—and much easier and more effective than washing in the sink of a public restroom.

But the majority of my wet wipe uses, and the biggest reason I now find them indispensable, have come while running. At the ripe old age of 44, I’ve decided to go all in on distance running—and I’ve quickly found out that the more miles I run, the more often I have to poop.

I’ve visited the Porta-Potty that sits in the middle of my run loop so many times I almost take ownership. When a wind storm knocked it over for a week, it completely changed how I organized my day because I had to find another route and an accessible bathroom.

As runners know, a dirty bum, especially combined with sweat, is an easy way to increase your chances for butt chafing. And yet, toilet paper sometimes falls short in its cleaning duties. Through lots of testing (haha), I’ve found that the added moisture in the wipe does a much better job cleaning so there’s as little chance as possible for chafing—which is why I now carry a wipe on every run, no matter the distance or location.

Moisture and butts is a topic that America is actually converging around in a big way at the moment. After decades of wipes being just for babies, tons of companies now offer adult wipes for butt health. One of them, Dude Wipes, echoes my recent revelation on its website, “You wouldn’t wash your face with a dry washcloth, why would you clean your butt with dry toilet paper?”

One problem I’ve had to overcome, however, is how to dispose of the used wipes. Companies claim that their wipes are “flushable,” and it’s technically true that the wipes will go down your toilet. But once they reach the city’s sewer system, the wipes don’t break down fast enough, so they cause backups and shutdowns (photos here). Non-plant-based wipes not only cause blockages but also leak micro-plastics into the water system. Wipes, whether plant-based or not, stand almost no chance of breaking down in the desert where I live, so they’ll be a hazard if left in the wild.

The good news is that there’s a fairly simple fix. At home it’s been as simple as using the wipe and then throwing it in a special plastic-bag lined trashcan. The trashcan never smells, thanks to a lid, and when the bag is full I tie it up and throw it in the outside trash, where it will eventually be taken to a landfill and have time to biodegrade. This process feels a little gross at first, but after the 100th wipe, I—and my family—came to treat it as normal.

Outside of the house, things get a little messier, but with a little practice, the process is totally manageable. Any time I have to use a wipe in the backcountry or when visiting the Porta-Potty, I put the soiled product in a sandwiched-sized plastic bag and either throw it away at the trailhead or at home. It can be weird to hike or run with a poopy wipe bouncing around in your pack or shorts, but there are usually bigger things to worry about (e.g., don’t trip, where’s the trail, look at that stunning sunset), so it’s easy to forget the baggage.

In terms of brands, I’m pretty agnostic, but have gravitated toward companies like the ones from Goodwipes that are made from plant-based ingredients so that I’m not using petroleum products and putting more plastics into a landfill. At home, I’m a big fan of Costco baby wipes because they’re cheap and come in bulk.

It’s ironic that as a gear tester, I show up to a run or a hike decked out in the newest shoes, the fanciest shorts, the most powerful GPS watch, even high-performance socks—but secretly feel completely unprepared unless I have a wet wipe in one of my pockets. I would certainly survive my run or backpacking trip without these moist towlettes, but I’m glad I don’t have to.