Siúlóidí Cósta - Bhaile Brigín

Balbriggan beach

The Front Strand is Balbriggan’s main beach. It is a natural inlet and is ideal for building sand castles, bathing and soaking up the sun if the temperamental Irish weather permits. During the summer months, a lifeguard is on duty when the appropriate flag is flying. A pleasant walk further up the coast takes you to the Martello Tower built in the 1800s to ward off any invasions by Napoleon. Just below the Martello Tower are the ruins of the Boathouses. In by-gone days this area was well-known for hot seaweed bath.

Balbriggan beach is an ideal walking spot.  Rich with history and natural vistas. Beyond the Martello Tower, heading further north you will see the imposing structure of Bremore Castle on your left. The beach stretching north from the Martello Tower is called King’s Strand. Walking along to the north end of King’s Strand you can spot The Sailors Grave, a mound of stones so called as it commemorates the dead of the ships such as the Belle Hill and Sarah of Runcorn that were wrecked off the nearby Cardy Rocks. Tradition has it that visitors add a stone to the cairn. A plaque was placed here in 2013 to commemorate the lost lives. You can walk along this stretch of coastline eventually arriving at the long beaches of Gormanston. (Note, this is a natural terrain without a man-made footpath).

Hampton Cove Beach on the southern end of the town is a nice pebble beach popular with dog walkers. From here there is a nice view of the Rockabill lighthouse and of Skerries. The Lady’s Stairs Beach further south near the footbridge access to Ardgillan Demesne, is a lovely stretch of soft sand, at low tide popular with horse riders and joggers.