Photo of Old Head Beach with bright sand surface

Photo of Old Head Beach with turquoise pure water surface

Photo of Old Head Beach with spacious shore

Photo of Old Head Beach with very clean level of cleanliness

Photo of Old Head Beach and the settlement

Photo of Old Head Beach surrounded by mountains

Photo of Old Head Beach backed by cliffs

Photo of Old Head Beach - popular place among relax connoisseurs

8.3

Very good

Old Head Beach

Kilsallagh, Ireland

#12 out of 43 in Connacht

8.3

Very good

Free entrance Amenities beach Easy access Bright sand Sand bottom Good for Sup surfing Good for Surfing

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Located within the settlement

Louisburgh • 2.9 km

Map of beach

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About

Old Head Beach is located on the North Atlantic Ocean (part of Atlantic ocean) and it is in the 12th place out of 43 beaches in the Connacht region The beach is located in an urban area, among the mountains, surrounded by the cliffs. It is partially covered by trees which give natural shade.

It is a spacious coastline with crystal turquoise water and bright sand, so you don't need special shoes. The entrance to the water is very smooth. This beach is suitable for different categories of people, lonely travellers, relaxation getaway lovers, pet owners etc. It is partially crowded during the high season.

Old Head Beach coast is free for all. This beach has the following amenities, toilets. During the season this beach line is supervised by a lifeguard.

Please note, that this shore has a significant low tide.

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also take part in other activities, sup-surfing, sea kayaking. There are also some surf spots.

This beach is easily accessible, it is located very close to road. Parking is located directly on the beach.

1 more beaches are also available within a 5 km radius. The best one is Carrowmore Beach, which has a rating of 8.1.

Old Head Beach is located in Connacht within Louisburgh, which makes it easily accessible and therefore popular among travelers. In the high season this may cause some discomfort, due to the large influx of tourists.

The beach stretches on the sunny coast, within the boundaries of the settlement, it is not difficult to get to it. If your stay is located not far from the beach, you can reach it by walking. In this case you will not be tied to finding parking or to the schedule of public transport. If you are traveling by car just use your navigator. In any case, do not forget about the availability of public transport and taxis.

Weather

history

+14 ^o C +11 ^o C

Air temperature

5.8 M/S

Wind

+13 ^o C

Water temperature

0.4 M

Wave height

Located within the settlement

Louisburgh • 2.9 km

Map of beach

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Booking.com

Area

Average rating of nearest beaches is 7.9 (Very good)

What to do in Old Head Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

If you like outdoor activities, the Old Head Beach can offer such an experience. In particular - SUP surfing. The beach stands out for an excellent base for this kind of sport. And the bonus is the gorgeous scenery from the water. Just try, we recommend it!

For those who wish to engage in something more extreme than a lazy holiday on the beach, it is worth noting that Old Head Beach is excellent for surfing. This kind of activity is suitable for beginners and for professionals. The waves in this region you can see in the photos above or study the reviews by our users. And by the way, on the beach you can take surfing coaches!

There is no particular indicator for the extremity of any particular activity, but if there were, then sea kayaking is definitely at the bottom of the scale. If you are a fan of this kind of entertainment, you can do your favorite activity at Old Head Beach. See what our users think about it in the reviews section.

In most cases, the question What to do on Old Head Beach implies the presence of any excursions or attractions near the beach. Of course in this area there are lots of places to go besides the beach. There are historical, entertainment and even gastronomic tours offered by local guides. More information is better to clarify directly on the spot.

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Nearest Beaches

3.6km

Carrowmore Beach Carrowmore Beach

8.1 Very good

7.3km

Beartra Beach Beartra Beach

7.8 Very good

9.3km

Carrownisky Beach Carrownisky Beach

8.1 Very good

13.6km

Mulranny Beach Mulranny Beach

8.1 Very good

17km

Uggool Beach Uggool Beach

7.4 Good

19.2km

Glassiluan Beach Glassiluan Beach

8.7 Excellent

21km

Lettergesh Beach Lettergesh Beach

8.2 Very good

23.1km

Dooega Beach Dooega Beach

7.1 Good

Localities

Nearest

Louisburgh • 2.9km

Transport

Airport

CLB • 33.1km

Bus Station

Coolaney • 88.3km

Train Station

Collooney • 95.1km

All nearest beaches

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Recommended Activities

What to do in Old Head Beach? Are there any attractions or entertainments in region?

Travelers reviews

Average Reviews rating

8.3 Very good

Contribute

Share your experience with other travelers

Average Reviews rating

8.3 Very good

Fergus O'Reilly

10 Exceptional

A fantastic sheltered beech 20mins from Westport. Easy enough access road with a very ample car park and decent public toilets (at the rear of the car park). There is a coffee shop near by (walking distance). Beech itself is sandy and shielded to the rear. There’s a fine pier and a couple of very pretty smaller beeches adjacent. Ideal spot for paddle boarding or sea kayaking (there is a surf rental shop in the car park) but no waves for surfing on the day I was there. All in all great for kids and good services.

Sofia Pronicheva

10 Exceptional

a very beautiful beach, a lot of space, there are picnic tables, dachas, as well as tuplets and in them everything you need to take care of hygiene)✨

MaryPat Kavanagh

10 Exceptional

Definitely one of Ireland’s best beaches! Old Head Beach is a fabulous cove that includes a lovely beach for walking, swimming and gazing at a gorgeous view of Croagh Patrick and Clare Island.

Mary Roche

8 Very good

Fantastic beach ,great activities Sup Boarding was wonderful way to view the bay most enjoyable. Great way to meet new people. Only down fall is the public Toilets are filthy not fit for use .

D S

8 Very good

Good if you jump off the pier at high tide. The beach is a bit smelly because of seaweed. Very clear water beside the pier but cold

Questions and answers

What is the water and sand quality of the Old Head Beach?

The coastline of Old Head Beach is covered with golden sand. It's very clean, the surface has a mixed fraction. Turquoise and clear water sparkles in the sun. The entrance to the water is sandy, which makes it very comfortable.

What are the key activities at Old Head Beach?

For the main activity - sunbathing, there are no sun loungers on the Old Head Beach, so you need to take personal items with you and there is a natural shade that can become a lifesaver on a hot day.

The Old Head Beach is also suitable for the following water activities:

Sup surfing (Sup touring)
Surfing

Is the Old Head Beach good for swimming?

The entrance to the water is very smooth, the bottom is comfortable. The prevalence of sharks in the area is low. In the season the beach is attended by lifeguard.

Old Head Beach does not have a wave-protected swimming area, but there are usually no strong waves during the season. The tides are high, so sometimes you have to cross several meters to get to the water.

There are few boats in the bay. So the overall recommendation of the Old Head Beach for swimming is positive.

Is the Old Head Beach good for families?

Family travelers should consider the following features of the beach. On the beach, there are minimal sufficient amenities such as sun loungers or beach bar. It's covered with sand and the entrance to the water is very smooth.

Is the Old Head Beach secluded and good for relaxing?

The region of the Old Head Beach is not one of the mass tourism destinations, but is still popular with solo travelers. There are several buildings near the beach. During the high season, the beach can get very crowded, making it an unsuitable place for those looking for a relaxing holiday.

The following features add extra points:

Mountains/hills in the vicinity

What are the key audiences of Old Head Beach?

Old Head Beach can be a good place for the following groups of travelers:

Beachgoers with pets

Is there any food or beverages in the area of Old Head Beach?

There is no restaurant or bar directly on Old Head Beach.

How far is the Old Head Beach from parking?

The Old Head Beach has a parking spot. It is not very large, so in high season it can be busy. The approximate distance from parking is less than 100 metres.

What is the best time of the year to visit Old Head Beach?

The month with the highest temperature in Old Head Beach is August. Its average value reaches 17°C. The warmest sea is in August, the average value is 16°C. The coldest month is January with air temperature 8°C and water 9°C. See more details in weather section.