Aasleagh Falls had ended our third day in Ireland in the last light. Day four started a little later, and with a simple plan: a beach day at Dunmoran Beach on the Sligo coast, maybe even a swim. In this post we cover where the beach is, Dunmoran Beach parking with a van, facilities, swimming and what the beach is like when the weather does not play along.

Dunmoran Beach on a Stormy Day

We had hoped for better weather, some time on the sand and maybe a swim. But the weather had other plans. When we arrived it was stormy, and apart from two surfers the beach was empty.

So the swimwear stayed in the van, and we went for a walk along the beach instead. It is a very nice beach and we would have liked to spend more time here. That day it was simply too windy.

Dunmoran Beach Parking and Van Access

Parking is the easy part. The car park has room for 30 to 40 vehicles, it is free and there is no height barrier, so getting in with a van is no problem. The beach starts right at the car park, there is no walk to get there.

To us it looked like a place where you could stay a little longer with a campervan. We did not stay overnight ourselves, so check the signs on site before you plan on it.

Facilities: What to Expect

Not much. There were two portable toilets at the car park when we visited, and that was it. No café, no shop. Bring what you need, and take it home again.

Can You Swim at Dunmoran Beach?

On a calm day, yes. People come here to swim and to surf, and Choose Sligo lists the beach as suitable for swimming and as a classic beach break for surfers.

There is a lifeguard hut on the beach, but on the day we visited nobody was on duty. The sources we found do not agree on this either: Choose Sligo mentions a seasonal lifeguard, The Beach Guide says there is no lifeguard service. So do not rely on it, and check the flags and the conditions before you go in. A yellow sign at the beach access also warns of strong currents. On a day like ours, we would not have gone into the water.

Best Time to Visit

Summer, and ideally a calm day. In a storm it is still a good place for a walk, but not for the beach day we had in mind.

What We Pack for a Day at Dunmoran Beach

Our day at Dunmoran was stormy, but on a calm day it is a great spot for a few hours on the sand, and the car park is right behind the dunes. The same beach kit always travels with us in the van, and this is what we take:

• Pop-up beach shelter: our own shelter against wind and sun is this quick-up beach tent with UPF 50+. It gives the whole family a place to sit out of the wind, which you will need on this exposed stretch of coast.
• Bodyboard: we use this light bodyboard with a leash, which is easy to throw in the boot. Only take it in on a calm day: a sign at the beach access warns of strong currents, so check the flags and conditions first.
• Large beach towel: we use towels very similar to this XXL microfibre towel. They dry quickly and pack small.
• Swim vest for children: we also bring this swim vest for kids. It does not replace watching them, but it gives a bit more confidence in the water.

These are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Our Honest Takeaway

It was not the beach day we had hoped for. Dunmoran Beach is a very nice beach with easy, free parking for vans, and we are sure it is worth it in good weather. We would come back on a calmer day and bring the swimwear out of the van this time.

Our Dunmoran Beach stop on video

Dunmoran Beach: 🎥 Walk the empty, stormy beach on the Sligo coast with us – watch from 00:21.

Or watch the full video of our fourth day in Ireland, from the Sligo coast to Erris Head.

Dunmoran Beach FAQ

Where is Dunmoran Beach?

Dunmoran Beach is a sandy beach on the coast of West Sligo in Ireland, between Sligo town and Easkey.

Is there parking at Dunmoran Beach?

Yes. The car park right at the beach has room for 30 to 40 vehicles. It is free and has no height barrier, so it also works for vans and campervans.

Are there toilets at Dunmoran Beach?

When we visited there were two portable toilets at the car park. There were no other facilities such as a café or shop.

Can you swim at Dunmoran Beach?

In calm conditions people swim and surf here. There is a lifeguard hut, but no lifeguard was on duty during our visit, so check the conditions and any flags yourself.

Is Dunmoran Beach good for surfing?

Surfers do use the beach. Two surfers were the only people in the water on the stormy day we visited, and Choose Sligo describes Dunmoran as a classic beach break.

Can you take dogs to Dunmoran Beach?

Yes. According to the Sligo County Council signs at the beach, dogs must be on a leash from 10am and you have to clean up after your dog. The maximum fine for dog fouling is €3,000.

Where We Went Next

From Dunmoran Beach we drove only a few minutes further west to Pollnadivva Pier, a small pier at the end of a very narrow, overgrown road.

---

Planning your own Sligo road trip? Check our Gleniff Horseshoe drive, our northwest Ireland road trip from Roscommon to Sligo, our Aasleagh Falls stop and our Ireland facts before you go.