Blue Flag 2026

Murlough

Co. Down, Northern Ireland

Water qualityExcellent NIEA

Blue Flag 2026Yes

Seaside AwardNo

DogsYear-round

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

About Murlough

Murlough is a Blue Flag beach within Northern Ireland's first nature reserve, a 6,000-year-old dune system on Dundrum Bay in County Down, managed by the National Trust. Lifeguarded in summer, it is a magnificent wild beach with boardwalk paths through the dunes and the Mourne Mountains as a backdrop. A place for swimming, walking and wildlife beneath the mountains.

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 54.2315, -5.8745. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

Surfing — Intermediate
Walking — Long walk (3km+)
Lifeguard (summer) — Yes
Not yet confirmed: Swimming

Facilities

Toilets — Seasonal
Car park — Paid
Lifeguard — Yes
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

Search accommodation near Murlough

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