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Fancy a dip this Summer? You don't need to travel abroad to experience the sensation of sand between your toes. See our favourite beaches to visit while staying at Castleknock Hotel.

Portmarnock Beach within a stone’s throw of Ireland’s capital, Dublin, the beach at Portmarnock is also known as the Velvet Strand. This is on account of the beautiful smooth sand that makes up the three miles of Portmarnock Strand. Whether surfing, beach volleyball or just a good old-fashioned kickabout is your activity of choice, the golden grains of this beach provides the perfect setting. 

Boasting pretty views of Lambay Island, Howth Peninsula and Malahide Estuary, Donabate Beach is a fine spot for walking and canoeing. At 3.5 kilometres long, there’s plenty of room for exploring. At lower tides and towards the northern end of the beach there are plenty of rockpools to explore. Along with clean, safe (lifeguard patrolled) water, this makes Donabate an ideal family beach and a worthy winner of numerous Blue Flag awards.

Dollymount Strand is the closest large beach to Dublin city centre. An especially popular spot with stand-up paddleboarders and kite-surfers. The North Bull Island Interpretative Centre is well worth a visit to discover more about the island’s history, its wildlife, and its importance as an ecosystem. From the beach, there is an excellent view of the ships entering and leaving the port at Dublin and make sure to check out the bars and bistros dotted about the seafront too.

Sandycove Beach is a tiny little beach close to James Joyce Tower and Museum. It is also home to the traditional Irish bathing place - the Forty Foot where if you are brave enough, you can swim all year round. Once an exclusive gentleman’s retreat, this now-unisex spot is one of the most charming places to leap into the sea, a practice that has been in vogue for hundreds of years.

Postcard-worthy Skerries is home to the glorious South Beach, a serene two-and-a-half kilometre stretch. Just a two-minute walk from the bustling town centre, South Beach is great for a dip in the sunshine. The beach is accessible along its length from the footpath/promenade that runs parallel to and all along the beach.