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Drogheda is blessed with long sandy stretches of beach just a few kilometres east of the town, both north and south of the river. All beaches are wide and sandy with stunning views, popular with bathers on hot days and walkers.
Port Beach
Port beach is a popular destination in summer due to its Blue Flag status (awarded annually), wide sandy beach and dunes, with views of the Mournes and a wide range of flora and fauna. Lifeguards patrol this beach during bathing season (check information notice board for details).
Clogherhead
Clogherhead beach boasts stunning views, miles of sand, and a water adventure centre. This Blue Flag beach (awarded annually) is lifeguard patrolled during the bathing season. Check the information notice board at the beach for details.
Clogherhead headland is the only high, rocky headland on the east coast between the Mournes and Howth in County Dublin. It is also of international significance for its geology as the site where the Iapetus Suture reaches Ireland's east coast. Clogherhead is a Special Area of Conservation and is also listed as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty because it supports rare, coastal heathland vegetation. there are several informal paths over the headland between the village and Port Oriel. Grey seals are often seen in the harbour. Black guillemots nest in special ‘burrows’ in the harbour wall.
Seapoint Beach
Seapoint Beach, accessed in 2 places via Termonfeckin Village, and Baltray is overlooked by 2 top class golf links, and boasts a shipwreck. Popular with locals and walkers. Seapoint, Termonfeckin received a Green Coast Award in 2020. This award recognises beaches for their clean environment, excellent water quality and natural beauty.
Mornington, Laytown & Bettystown Beaches
Bettystown, famous for its amusements and ice-cream is extremely popular with tourists and locals. Mornington beach, accessed slightly north of Bettystown village, is slightly quieter, and brings you right up to the estuary of the Boyne where it enters the sea on its journey from Drogheda.
Horse racing on the beach at Laytown takes place just once every year and the spectacle draws crowds from all over the world. Laytown races occupies a unique position in the Irish racing calendar as it is the only racing event run on a beach under the Rules of Racing. The majority of racegoers watch the action from an elevated field above the strand which is set up for the day with temporary marquees which act as the weigh room, the jockeys’ room, bars and restaurants. Access to the beach is restricted while racing is underway.