Overview
Dunmoran Beach – Dunmoran Strand to locals – is a quiet 0.85 km stretch of sand on the south side of Sligo Bay, about 25 km west of Sligo town, backed by a low line of dunes. It first won a Green Coast Award in 2018 for clean water and community management, and it stays the calmer, less commercial choice next to the bigger Sligo beaches. A 400 m section is marked out for bathing, and a proposed Natural Heritage Area and a Special Protection Area for birds sit just along the coast at Aughris.
The Beach Bar at Aughris
The best reason to pick Dunmoran over a busier strand is the walk off the end of it. From the far end of the beach a footbridge starts a 2.5 km coastal path to Aughris Head, and near it you’ll find the Beach Bar – a thatched pub dating to the 17th century, doing food and drink with views across Sligo Bay. It’s the kind of walk-and-a-pint that turns a beach stop into a half-day. There’s a proper campsite by the bar too, which is worth knowing because overnight campervan parking isn’t allowed at the beach car park.
Landscape and setting
Marram grass, sea thrift and sea holly hold the dunes together, and the intertidal flats feed wading birds. On clear days the table-top of Benbulben shows to the east. West, the coast curves toward Aughris Head, where the sheltered water of Sligo Bay gives way to the open Atlantic and the light turns sharp and reflective in the early morning and late afternoon.
What to do
- Surfing – Dunmoran picks up surf reliably through the year. It’s a beach break throwing both lefts and rights, working best on a northwesterly groundswell with southerly winds. It’s gentle and roomy enough for beginners, and noticeably quieter than Strandhill, so surf schools along the Wild Atlantic Way use it for lessons.
- Swimming – The 400 m bathing area is marked out in summer. The water is cold year-round, so a dip is best on a warm day; always swim within the zone and watch the tides.
- Walking – Firm sand and dune paths make for easy going, and the 2.5 km route west to Aughris Head is the pick of it. Wear sturdy footwear; the coast path is exposed in strong wind.
- Wildlife and photography – Low tide opens up rock pools of crabs and small fish, and kittiwakes, gulls and the occasional peregrine work the headlands. Early light on the dew-covered marram grass is the shot.
Getting there
Dunmoran is signed off the N59, the main coastal road between Sligo and Ballina; follow the signs for ‘Dunmoran Strand’. A free car park with disabled bays sits a short walk from the sand. Public transport is limited and a car is by far the easiest way here: there’s no confirmed bus stop at the beach itself, and the nearest services run to villages a few kilometres off, such as Easkey, so check timetables before relying on them.
Practical information
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Lifeguard service | Officially weekends only, July to end of August – but cover has been cancelled on some weekends due to staff shortages, so don’t count on it; check Sligo County Council for current status |
| Toilets | Portaloos at the car park, officially July–August, though recent visitors report them present outside that window too |
| Parking | Free car park with disabled bays and picnic tables; a sauna cart turns up occasionally; no overnight campervans |
| Dog policy | Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, per the official beach guide |
| Admission | Free, open access |
| Nearby | Aughris Head and the Beach Bar, Benbulben views to the east |
Entry is free and the strand is open year-round for walking, surfing and wildlife watching even when the summer facilities aren’t. Check the Sligo County Council website for current coastal bye-laws and tide tables, and if you’re surfing, look for a moderate northwesterly swell.
Time it for low tide and a dry-ish afternoon, walk the coast path to the Beach Bar, and you’ve had the best of Dunmoran in one go.