IrishBeaches.ie
Green Coast

Ballyheirnan

Co. Donegal, Ireland

Photo: David Baird / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Water qualityExcellent EPA
Blue Flag 2026No
Green CoastYes
DogsYear-round
Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Ballyheirnan

Ballyheirnan Bay is a beautiful Green Coast beach on the remote tip of the Fanad Peninsula, a curve of pale sand and dunes far from the crowds. Unspoilt and unsupervised, it is a wonderful place for a quiet walk and to take in the wild Fanad coast, though swimmers should be cautious without a lifeguard. Its isolation and clear water reward those who make the journey.

Get directions to the car park

This opens the verified car-park pin — never the beach itself or a mid-route point.

📍 Get directions to the car park

Pin confirmed at 55.2471, -7.7126. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Surfing — Intermediate
  • Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — No
  • Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

  • Toilets — No
  • Car park — Free
  • Disabled access — No
  • Lifeguard — No
  • Not yet confirmed: Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from Donegal County Council and Fáilte Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at beaches.ie. Always check beaches.ie and local signage at the beach before swimming, particularly after heavy rainfall. IrishBeaches.ie accepts no liability for water quality conditions at the time of your visit.

EPA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check beaches.ie for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

Search accommodation near Ballyheirnan

Verified local listings for Donegal are coming as we build out our accommodation guide.

Nearby golf

Rosapenna Golf Resort – Old Tom Morris Links — Co. Donegal ~8 km as the crow flies · Rosapenna Golf Resort – Sandy Hills Links — Co. Donegal ~8 km as the crow flies · Rosapenna Golf Resort – St. Patrick's Links — Co. Donegal ~8 km as the crow flies

From the GolfIreland.ie network. Distances are straight-line (as the crow flies), not driving distance.