Seaside Award

Cloughey

Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Water qualityExcellent NIEA

Blue Flag 2026No

Seaside AwardYes

DogsYear-round

Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Cloughey

Cloughey is a Seaside Award beach on the Ards Peninsula in County Down, a long sandy strand on the Irish Sea coast backed by dunes and a golf links. With no lifeguard, so swimming should be taken with care, it is a quiet, scenic beach popular with walkers and watersports, with wide views to the open sea and the Isle of Man on a clear day.

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 54.4365, -5.4625. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

Swimming — Safe
Surfing — Intermediate
Walking — Good walk (1–3km)
Lifeguard (summer) — No

Facilities

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

Facilities confirmed from the local council and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and Discover Northern Ireland Source.

Water quality

Water quality information is sourced from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), Northern Ireland and is updated annually. During the bathing season real-time water quality updates are available at nidirect.gov.uk. Always check nidirect.gov.uk 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.

NIEA classification: Excellent (latest annual bathing-water assessment). Always check nidirect.gov.uk for the current rating.

Where to stay nearby

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