Overview
There is nearly four miles of sand at Trawalua and, most days, almost nobody on it. The strand – officially Trá Tuaidh, the north strand, and known locally as Cliffoney Beach or Cliffony Bay – sits along the North Sligo coast in the shadow of its better-known neighbours Mullaghmore and Streedagh, and the short walk in from the road is enough to keep the crowds off. Even on a busy day there’s room to lose a crowd along the high, grassy dunes.
One thing to know before you picture a swim: you can’t have one. Powerful rip tides and undercurrents make the water genuinely dangerous, and swimming is not allowed. What the beach is good for is a long walk, a surf if you know what you’re doing, and, out of season, watching the horses.
The strand divides into two moods. The left-hand side is broad and firm, worked by a local riding school; the far northern and southern ends narrow into rock-fringed coves that have long been used by naturists.
Getting there
The only way in is on foot. Park at the small free car park beside the football pitch in Cliffony village – search ‘Cliffoney Beach Parking’ on Google Maps – and follow the path south. It tracks a shallow stream across low fields and over the dunes, about half a mile (0.8 km) in all, on grass, earth and sand, so wear something sturdy. There are no gates and no charge, and the beach is open around the clock.
Surf and swimming
The beach faces west and catches reliable Atlantic swell, which has made it a consistent surf spot for those with the experience for it. Autumn and winter bring the bigger sets; summer is smaller and easier. The same swell and the strong currents are why swimming is off the table here – there’s no lifeguard, and the sea is not one to test.
Horse riding
The wide left-hand section doubles as a corridor for a local riding school – Island View Riding Stables runs beach rides here through the year – and you’ll often see horses trotting the firm sand with the swell behind them. Give riders plenty of room.
Walking and the views
The long, flat span is made for an unhurried coastal walk. On a clear day Classiebawn Castle crowns the headland at the northern end, its turrets sharp against the sky, and the flat top of Benbulben shows away inland. Check a tide table first: a rising tide can cut off the ground around the rock outcrops at either end.
Naturist areas
The far northern and southern ends of the strand are traditionally used by naturists. They’re the more sheltered corners, tucked behind rock outcrops and higher dunes. As anywhere, give other beachgoers space and stick to the established ends.
Wildlife
The dunes are held together by marram grass and sea thrift, and the whole run of dune and machair here sits inside the Bunduff Lough and Machair/Trawalua/Mullaghmore Special Area of Conservation. At low tide the wet sand becomes a feeding ground for oystercatchers, curlews and redshanks, and grey seals sometimes haul out on the rocks at the edges of the coves. Porpoises and dolphins turn up offshore.
Practical information and safety
- Opening hours: Open 24 hours.
- Admission: Free.
- Facilities: None on the beach. Toilets, a small shop and a pub are in Cliffony village.
- Water safety: No lifeguard; strong rip tides year-round, and swimming is not permitted. Check tide tables before walking the full length.
- Dogs: As on most Sligo beaches, seasonal restrictions generally apply from Easter through the end of summer; check local signage.
Nearby
- Benbulben: The flat-topped mountain, visible inland, is a challenging day out for experienced walkers; see the Benbulben Forest Walk for an easier route.
- Mullaghmore Head: A short drive north to the dramatic headland and its coastal paths.
- Cliffoney Village: The quiet settlement just inland, with a pub and a few guesthouses.
- Sligo town: About 30 minutes south, with restaurants, culture and transport links.
Come early on a summer morning for the soft light and the quiet, or late for long shadows across the dunes – and remember there’s no other way onto the sand but that half-mile walk from the football pitch.