IrishBeaches.ie
Green Coast

Carrigaholt Beach

Co. Clare, Ireland

Photo: Joseph Mischyshyn / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

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

About Carrigaholt Beach

Carrigaholt is a sheltered Green Coast beach on the Shannon Estuary in south-west Clare, beside the village and its ruined castle. There is no lifeguard, so swimming should be taken with care, but the calm estuary water and quiet setting make it a peaceful spot, well known as a base for dolphin-watching trips on the Shannon. A gentle, low-key beach away from the Atlantic surf, with the Loop Head peninsula close by.

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 52.6052, -9.7089. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Surfing — No surf
  • Walking — Short walk (under 1km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — No
  • Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

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

Facilities confirmed from Clare 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 Carrigaholt Beach

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

Nearby golf

Kilkee Golf Club — Co. Clare ~10 km as the crow flies · Ballybunion Cashen Course — Co. Kerry ~11 km as the crow flies · Ballybunion Old Course — Co. Kerry ~11 km as the crow flies

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