Explore Éire: The Most Unusual Beach In Ireland Needs To Be On Your 2019 Bucket List

When you picture a beautiful beach, what do you see?

Chances are you’ve imagined white, fluffy sand and crystal blue waters.

Sometimes the most beautiful things in life however, are the most unusual, the ones that take you by surprise.

As we say in the Irish language:

“An rud is annamh is iontach.”

The thing that is seldom is wonderful.

That is exactly the case for Coral Strand in Carraroe, Co. Galway.

You might just find those blue crystal waters here, but sand? Well, that’s what makes this beach so special… There is no sand – instead you’ll find a beach full of coral.

(If you hadn’t guessed by the name already!)

Located at the edge of Carraroe, this beach is a thing of dreams.

The coral sand is actually detached red calcified seaweed, maërl, that stretches across the entire beach.