Seaside Resort - Irish Seaside Resorts

Irish Seaside Resorts

The 'Irish Riviera' on the South Coast of Ireland features the seaside resorts of Youghal, Ardmore, Dungarvan, Cóbh and Ballycotton, all set close to the south coast of Ireland. Youghal has been a favoured holiday destination for over 100 years, situated on the banks of the River Blackwater as it reaches the sea. Youghal is well known for its beaches, having been, until 2008, the only town in the Republic of Ireland with two beaches awarded E.U. Blue Flag status. Dungarvan is a seaside market town beneath the mountains in the centre of the Irish south coast. Kinsale is often described as a food lover's and yachting town, with a diverse range of restaurants, as well as a large and active creative community with numerous art galleries and record and book shops.

Seaside resorts in the East of Ireland developed after the introduction of Rail travel. The Dublin and Kingstown Railway introduced Day-trippers from Dublin to Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) in South Dublin and the coastal town became Ireland's First seaside resort. Other South Dublin towns and villages such as Sandycove, Dalkey and Killiney grew as Seaside Resorts when the rail network was expanded. since the opening of Bray Daly Station in 1852 the County Wicklow coastal town of Bray has become the largest Seaside Resort on the East Coast of Ireland. The town of Greystones, 5 miles south of Bray also grew as a seaside resort when the railway line was extended in 1855. Other Seaside Resorts include Courtown and Rosslare Strand in County Wexford.

Ulster has a number of seaside resorts, such as Portrush, situated on the north coast, with its two beaches and a world-famous golf course, Royal Portrush Golf Club. Other Ulster seaside resorts are Newcastle, located on the east coast at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, Ballycastle, Portstewart, Rathmullan, Bundoran and Bangor. Bangor Marina is one of the largest in Ireland and the marina has on occasion been awarded the "Blue Flag" for attention to environmental issues.

The main seaside towns in the West of Ireland are in Clare, the largest are Lahinch and Kilkee. Lahinch is a popular Surfing location.

Like British resorts, many seaside towns in Ireland have turned to other entertainment industries. Larger resorts such as Bray or Portrush host Air shows while most resorts host Summer Festivals.