Green Coast

Drumnatinney

Co. Donegal, Ireland

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 Drumnatinney

Drumnatinney — also known as Falcarragh Beach or the Back Strand — is a Green Coast beach in north-west Donegal, a broad 4.5km sweep of sand backed by dunes beneath Muckish mountain. It fringes Ballyness Bay, a Special Area of Conservation, and on bright days the shallow water over pale sand takes on a striking turquoise colour. Quiet and natural with no lifeguard, it is popular for walking, surfing and horse-riding, with wide views to Horn Head, Tory Island, Muckish and Errigal, and memorable sunsets from Ballyness Pier at the western end. The open Atlantic gives it a wild, breezy character, so swimming is best taken with care given the exposed conditions and lack of supervision.

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 55.1588, -8.0832. 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

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