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Blue Flag 2026

Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua

Co. Galway, Ireland
Water qualityExcellent EPA
Blue Flag 2026Yes
Green CoastNo
DogsTo be confirmed
Always verify the car-park location on arrival. Road and access conditions may change.

About Trá an Dóilín, An Ceathrú Rua

Trá an Dóilín, the Coral Beach at An Cheathrú Rua (Carraroe) in Connemara, is a unique Blue Flag beach made not of sand but of coral-like maerl, a rare calcified seaweed. Lifeguarded in summer with sheltered, clear turquoise water, it is a beautiful and unusual swimming and snorkelling spot in the Connemara Gaeltacht. The white 'coral', the clear water and the stone-walled landscape make it unforgettable.

Connemara's other coral strand

This is the Carraroe coral beach; there is a second, quieter coral strand on Mannin Bay near Ballyconneely.

Coral Strand (Ballyconneely / Mannin Bay)

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 53.2268, -9.6214. Always verify the car park on arrival — access can change.

Map

Verified car-park pin.

Activity suitability

  • Swimming — Safe
  • Surfing — No surf
  • Walking — Short walk (under 1km)
  • Lifeguard (summer) — Yes

Facilities

  • Car park — Free
  • Lifeguard — Yes
  • Not yet confirmed: Toilets, Disabled access, Shower, Café nearby

Facilities confirmed from Galway County/City 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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