Start planning your next summer holidays with these little known seaside gems on the Irish coast.
The summer season has come to an end. Goodbye sun, and hello to our familiar friends of the rain and wind once again. With this turn in weather, it can be helpful to look toward the future and think about where you would like to spend your summer in 2027.
There is no shortage of beautiful and scenic seaside towns to see across Ireland. Perfect spots to spend the summer for a week or a month. But perhaps you have been to those places too many times already, or want a place that is just waiting to be discovered.
Nothing is quite so satisfying as finding the next big place before everyone else does. If that sounds appealing to you, then you will want to keep reading.
These ten Irish seaside towns are still underrated in 2026, however, may just be the next hidden gems on your Ireland summer plans for 2027.
10. Doolin, Co. Clare – the soul of Irish music
Located in County Clare and referred to as the “gateway to the Aran Islands”, few places are as lively or as remarkable as the town of Doolin.
Located on the famous Wild Atlantic Way, Doolin is the perfect place for those seeking a little adventure during their stay in Ireland.
With frequent ferries to and from the Aran Islands from Doolin Pier, boat tours for ocean-level views of the Cliffs of Moher, fresh seafood catches and live music to boot, there is no shortage of interesting activities to get caught up with in this underrated gem.
The live music in particular is something special. Musical heritage runs deep in Doolin, with many talented musicians being found playing in their local pubs. For crowds of locals and visitors alike, this is a special treat and reminder of some of Ireland’s oldest traditions.
9. Carlingford, Co. Louth – where history and the present meet
Carlingford in County Louth has history dating back to the medieval era, with many buildings from that time period still intact. For many, it can feel like stepping back into a memory which time never bothered to forget, straining the mind with how far back history stretches here.
This is not to call Carlingford a place lost in time either, or underrated because of that. Far from it, for it calls out to those with a spirit for adventure and those daring enough to follow it. From pier jumps to skyjumps, and beautiful rolling hills to hike.
Carlingford is a beautiful place where both history and modernity meet one another, complementing each other and enhancing the overall experience for those interested in seeing it.
8. Dalkey, Co. Dublin – Ireland’s little Hollywood
Despite only being 15km south of Dublin city itself, many people would have little or nothing to say about the seaside town of Dalkey. Those who visit call it “Ireland’s Amalfi Coast” for the gently sloping shoreline and cliffs, which lend it spectacular views and sites to see.
Dalkey Island can be visited by boat or toured around on a kayak, and one can feel history spring into life with a visit to Dalkey Castle. Should you get your timing right, there is also the Dalkey Book Festival—a must-visit for fans of literature.
All of this and more can be found in Dalkey, with the town itself being Ireland’s own “Little Hollywood”. Bono, The Edge, Neil Jordan and Enya all live here, with Matt Damon even moving his family out to Dalkey for a time in 2020.
7. Enniscrone, Co. Sligo – wear & tear with some rest & relaxation
Another must-visit along the Wild Atlantic Way, Enniscrone can be found in Sligo. Much like other seaside towns, Enniscrone has become a popular surfing destination and hotspot over the last few decades, with dusk surfing being provided through Tonnta Adventures.
Enniscrone is also a place where much of Ireland’s underrated and underappreciated history can be found, with stories aplenty being found at the nearby Belleek Castle. These range from the last days of the pirate queen Grace O’Malley to the last wolves of Ireland.
However, if you are exhausted from surfing or overwhelmed by history, Enniscrone has you covered. With a seaweed bath spa using seaweed from the seaside and yoga classes held on the beach, there are plenty of places to release the tension.
6. Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal – the enchanting wilds of Ireland’s north
Going up north to one end of the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal is the seaside town of Dunfanaghy. With some of the most pristine and untouched beaches in Ireland, there are multiple examples of golden coast beaches and shimmering blue seas to be found here.
For those not looking to dip their toes in the water, there is plenty to see on the shoreside of Dunfanaghy as well, with the enchanting presence of Doe Castle nearby and the ethereal green of Glenveagh National Park being close at hand.
Dunfanaghy is also an important place where Irish cultural heritage is preserved and lived by the locals. Visiting the Workhouse, one can learn more about how the Great Famine affected smaller communities and how their descendants have rebuilt since then.
5. Easkey, Co. Sligo – Sligo’s next big destination
West of Sligo town, Easkey is an emerging Sligo town in 2026 with lots to see and do. Deriving its name from the abundance of fish, including salmon, which can be seen in the river and along the shoreline, Easkey is a place connected with nature.
Those feeling adventurous can connect with it themselves, either through more gentle kayaking or through taking on some of the world-class surfing which can be found there. Those looking for something more gentle can take in the local history.
From Easkey Castle to the folklore around the “Split Rock”, there are stories to be listened to around Easkey for those with open ears. Some of what you might learn may be surprising indeed.
4. Kilkeel, Co. Down – where the mountain meets the sea
Located at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, Kilkeel in County Down is perfect for those looking to discover an underrated gem. With history dating back to the 13th century, Kilkeel is a charming little fishing town, with personality to be found in the buildings and people there.
One of the largest fishing fleets in Northern Ireland operates from Kilkeel, meaning that you should always keep your eyes out at the local markets for fresh catches. Other more exciting animals one can encounter there are the alpacas at Cranfield Alpacas.
Other notable features to be found nearby are the Mourne Mountains and Kilkeel river walk. Not far from Kilkeel as well is Carlingford Lough, one of three fjords found on the island of Ireland that were formed due to glaciation.
3. Schull, Co. Cork – Ireland’s eyes to the stars
Regarding underrated places left alone by tourists, few are as exciting to visit as Schull in Cork. At the far end of the Wild Atlantic Way from Dunfanaghy, Schull has a distinct authenticity to it that neighbouring towns and villages have lost through the influx of tourists.
Due to this, Schull remains home to Ireland’s only planetarium, the centre of Ireland’s astronomical research and studies, allowing those that work and study there to see the unparalleled beauty of worlds beyond our own.
During the summer months, one may be lucky enough to see the whales and dolphins that visit when the waters are warm enough. Various tour operators can be found throughout the town to give you more personal tours with these majestic mammals.
2. Curracloe, Co. Wexford – as seen in the movies
When visiting Wexford, you would be doing yourself a disservice by driving past Curracloe. This underrated seaside gem will strike you as both mystical and familiar at the same time, with films such as Saving Private Ryan being filmed on the dunes of Curracloe.
Seeing the place for yourself will help you understand why Hollywood likes to film here, with Talbot Lake, Forth Mountain, and Raven Point being some of the most enchanting places to visit in the whole of Ireland, preserving the natural history of the island for visitors to enjoy.
Preserving the anthropological history of the island, however, is the nearby Irish National Heritage Park, where you can see replicas of Iron Age housing and become familiar with pre-Christian Celtic beliefs and ways of life.
1. Portaferry, Co. Down – the perfect maritime getaway
Little more than an hour away from Belfast is one of Ireland’s most scenic seaside towns. Portaferry in County Down is a beautiful and vibrant town with some truly underrated attractions.
From the Exploris Aquarium and Seal Sanctuary highlighting marine biodiversity globally and at home, to Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in Ireland and the UK, where one can take a trip on the Portaferry-Strangford ferry.
Portaferry is a vibrant town with much to see and learn about. And while the season to visit this underrated town in 2026 may have passed, Portaferry is a must-visit for your summer plans for 2027.
For more information on Portaferry, read here.
