Six Irish beaches feature in new list of the top wild swimming spots in the UK and Ireland, with Keem Bay on Achill Island named number one.
A survey carried out by UK-based reusable bottle company, Ocean Bottle, has examined the water quality and Google ratings from over 800 waterways in the UK and Ireland and found that the crystal-clear waters of Keem Bay in County Mayo scored highest.
A sheltered bay on Achill Island, on Ireland’s stunning Wild Atlantic Way, Keem is already considered to be one of Ireland’s top beaches. Last year, it came in at number 11 on the list of ‘The 50 Best Beaches in the World’ compiled by global travel site Big 7 Travel and was named one of Lonely Planet’s ‘Top 20 beaches in Europe’.
Keem Bay recently provided the spectacular backdrop to a new film, The Banshees of Inisherin, set on a remote Irish island, which was filmed mostly on Achill Island and Inis Mor. The film will have its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival on 4 September and will also screen at the Toronto Film Festival the same month before general release on 21 October.
Coming in at number six on the list of best wild swimming spots is Trá na DóilÃn (Coral Strand) in County Galway, while another Galway beach, Dog’s Bay, came in at number 13.
Dooey Beach in County Donegal, a secluded and scenic beach near Lettermacaward, was named as number 9 and Curracloe in County Wexford took twelfth place.
The white sands of Curracloe have been seen in at least two movie blockbusters, featuring in the opening scenes of Saving Private Ryan and also providing the setting for a romantic stroll in Brooklyn.
The sixth Irish spot to feature on the list is Enniscrone beach in County Sligo, which was awarded fourteenth place. The 5km golden strand is popular with swimmers and surfers alike.
Ocean Bottle also compiled a complementary list of Ireland and the UK’s ‘Top 20 Wild Swimming Hidden Gems’, highlighting those beaches that scored 20 out of 20 on water cleanliness but have fewer visitors.
Twelve out of the twenty beaches listed were in Ireland with the top spot going to Aillebrack/Silverhill Beach on the Ballyconneely Peninsula in County Galway. The unspoilt, white sandy beach is less well known but offers a beautiful and tranquil location for a relaxing swim.
