Everything you need to know about toilets and parking at Cork's most popular beaches
If you're planning on making the most of the weekend sunshine, here is all you need to know about Cork's most popular beaches. Picture: Brian Lougheed
At last, we have been promised a couple of days of sunshine with Met Éireann predicting highs of 19C this week.
It's been a while since we saw such a sun-filled forecast so if you're looking to make the most of it, we have everything you need to know about Cork's most popular beaches.
With a 400m boardwalk stretching from Claycastle beach to Redbarn Beach, Youghal is a great location if you’re craving some sea breeze. The boardwalk is wheelchair friendly and an all-terrain wheelchair is also now available from Redbarn Beach.
Claycastle Beach makes up part of a stretch of sandy beaches alongside Redbarn Beach and Front Strand. The popular East Cork spots are also Blue Flag beaches and when the tide is out, Claycastle has ample space for walking and sunbathing. But your fluffy friends may not be able to join you as dogs are not allowed on any of the three beaches between 10.30am and 7pm during the bathing season, which officially starts on June 1.
These beaches have adequate parking facilities as well as toilet facilities. Each also has lifeguards on duty during the summer season and is close to Youghal town if you fancy escaping the heat for some lunch.
Located just outside Clonakilty town, Inchydoney is made up of the East Beach and the West Beach. The East Beach has a bathing area that is approximately 500m long and public parking is available at the northwest of the beach with walkways and steps down to the beach. There is also a car park that is reserved for guests at the Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa which is the perfect place for a bite to eat if you start to feel peckish.
Public toilet facilities are also available at the eastern car park. Both beaches have lifeguards on duty and are Blue Flag beaches. Toilet facilities for people using a wheelchair are available at the hotel which is located adjacent to the beach.
Dogs are not allowed on either beach between 10.30am and 7pm.
In the village of Garryvoe in East Cork, this mixed pebble beach is particularly popular among families and also has a playground nearby. The south-east facing beach has an area of sand dunes and has lifeguards on during the bathing season.
The beach also has a public car park and toilet facilities which have wheelchair access. A wheelchair ramp is also available here and unlike the others so far, dogs are allowed on Garryvoe Beach at all times once they are on a leash.
With views of the Old Head of Kinsale, Garretstown Beach is another popular spot among locals and visitors alike. With a pitch and putt course nearby, there is plenty to do at this Blue Flag beach. There is a free car park as well as toilet facilities though parking may be tricker on particularly nice days.
During the bathing season, this beach is also lifeguarded and has a surf school. It can be accessed via a ramp as well as steps.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach between 10.30am and 7pm during the bathing season.
At the mouth of the Rosscarbery River, this lifeguarded beach is located within a small bay and is fairly sheltered.
The beach has both a car park close to the beach and a small toilet facility. However, with a one-way system to the car park and beach, it can be tricky to manoeuvre on a busy day with some instead opting for on-road parking further away.
This beach also has Rosscarbery Pitch and Putt nearby as well as a beach wheelchair which is available through the pitch and putt club. Dogs are also permitted here once they are on a leash.
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