Here’s a lovely email which gives a nice personal feel not to mention exact directions on how to make the most from enjoying a Saturday walk whether you live in Dublin or Wicklow! Thanks Vera,

Incidentally Vera was on to us looking for information on a new book launched recently that was mentioned ion RTE – details of which are below for anyoneelse who was interested…

As avid walkers and lovers of the Wicklow Way my husband and I have a particular love of Newcastle, as the beach walk has been one of our most regular walks for nearly 30 years now.  We started going to Kilcoole beach when the children were small and progressed to Newcastle from there.

Approximately once a month, weather allowing, on a Saturday, we get the 84 from city to the terminus and walk down Sea Road to begin our walk back to Greystones, or Bray.  To be walking down Sea Road on a bright sunny morning is absolute heaven to us.  Its a world away from the city, and one can get there so quickly – we travel by bus from Drimnagh in less than 90 minutes.

We have brought relatives and friends with us also down through the years but mostly its just the two of us wandering along just soaking up the beauty of nature in this wonderful place.

Vera Hussey

Newcastle History
Phone: 086-8320101
Email: newcastleresidents@gmail.ie

Beaches in Wicklow

Close your eyes and lie back. You can hear the soothing swish of the waves lapping the shore, feel the soft sand beneath your skin and smell the fresh breeze stimulating your senses!

But your not in the Mediterranean! Its right on your doorstep – yes, winter or summer the variety of beaches in Wicklow ensure that you need never go without this experience.

There are beaches suited to walking, fishing, swimming and rock-pool exploration! Below I have listed some of my personal favourite beaches – If you would like to share one of yours please do let us know at:office@thewicklowway.ie

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Brittas Bay Beach

Co Wicklow:
Best known of all the Wicklow beaches is perhaps, Brittas Bay – a beautiful sandy stretch of beach which runs for 5km. Brittas is a blue flag beach safe for swimming so children in particular love it!

It is surrounded by a few holiday mobile-home parks and has ample car-parking (at a charge since 2006) and toilet facilities. In the summer there are fast food vans so you need never go home again and just down the road there is a small mini-market if you have forgotten your suncream!

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Ennereilly Beach

Co Wicklow:
Ennereilly beach is en route to Arklow and is a wonderful beach for walking, shell collecting and beach angling. There is a small parking area free of charge. You will often see washed up starfish and the occasional seal bobbing out to sea.

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Johnsons Beach

Arklow
Co Wicklow:
Almost immediately after Ennereilly is a tiny parking space at the top of a steep hill which leads to another lovely beach known as Johnsons’ beach. This is particularly nice for angling and there is much driftwood lying about with which you can make a cosy seat. Obviously attention to detail and leaving no waste is a must!!

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Maghermore Beach

Wicklow:
Maghermore is a family-friendly beach which has recently been a subject of intense petitioning to save the access for members of the public. It is sheltered by steep cliffs and is a safe to swim sandy beach. Many surfers like to brave the waves on a windy day. The water is crystal clear and shallow for quite a way out – perfect for small children.

A note of caution - the access is a very potholed road marked only by a small green postbox -although it may currently still be ok, however, after heavy rains you must drive very slowly.

NOTE: June 2007: Parking is on the roadside BUT Please park carefully so tractors and other cars can get by as the entrance is on a bad bend thus making it extremely dangerous. The county council may be putting double yellow lines here soon.. (long walk then)

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SSSHH
There are a few other scattered beaches but I don’t want to give them all away yet! Best to explore and discover them yourself.