Rathmullan beach was on the list of winners of the Green Coasts Award in 2008. It is a bustling village in the summer with a regular car ferry to Buncrana on Inishowen. The beach is often quite busy with walkers and shell collectors. There is a good car park and children's playground at the harbour end of the beach along with a monument to the Flight of the Earls. People often ride horses on the beach and occasionally there is a horse racing event held. Depending on tidal conditions it is possible to walk onto the a-joining Kinnegar strand.

This beach is best approached by the road from Rathmullan which runs along the western side of Lough Swilly. The reason being the fabulous views of Inishowen Peninsula including Dunree Head and the Urris Hills but most importantly the spectacular view of Ballymastocker Bay as you drive round Saldanha Head. The Observer newspaper once voted this beach the second most beautiful in the world! The part of the beach just below the Knockalla Mountains is sometimes used by surfers, however like most beaches in Donegal it is usually very empty!

Ballyhiernan Strand was a winner of Green Coasts Award in 2008. The Green Coast Award applies to beaches which have excellent water quality but which may be less developed or more rural in nature than Blue Flag Beaches. This is a fabulous beach, no matter what the weather conditions. It faces straight to the Atlantic Ocean and the large fetch often leads to spectacular waves. You will feel great after a stout walk on this beach; you may well say to yourself ...... 'time for a Guinness'.

This stunning beach is along the route of Atlantic Drive on the Rosguill Peninsula. By other local standards it is quite a small beach. It is a storm beach and on visits it may have little visible sand cover but be thickly covered in boulders, on other occasions, sand aplenty. Remember to bring your camera!

Marble Hill Stand is located very close to the Ards Forest Park. It is a Blue Flag Beach meaning that the water quality is excellent and life guards are present on the beach when the flag flies. There is a hotel adjacent to the beach and this ensures that there is always a liveliness about the beach. It also provides an oasis for refreshment! The beach is in a beautiful location and is glorious at sunset.

The Ards Friary is signposted off the N56 and a good road takes you to the Friary. During the summer there is a pleasant cafe and shop open. You can park in one of the car parks and walk to the left of the car parks along by the sea. The stretch of sea here is called Sheep Haven Bay. There is a small beach near the Friary with some seats where you can rest a while. To the sides of the beach there are rocky pools where you can do some searching!

Another favourite day out with a picnic. The combination of forest walking and beach time is extremely alluring. The forest walking can be as demanding as you like, equally you can park up and head straight to the boardwalk for a long spell on the beach. In the summer season there is a charge for the car park.

Tramore beach located on entry to the village of Downings. It is one of our favourite beaches. Its main appeal is due to size, it is difficult to see the end of this beach and in truth we have never walked the full length. It is also loved for the scenery, with a backdrop of mountain ranges and views across the sea to the beach of Ards Forest.