Ballymoney Beach Wexford: Swimming, Parking + Handy Info

Ballymoney Beach is another of the more popular beaches in Wexford and in this guide you’ll discover why.

Located a stone’s throw from Gorey, Courtown and Arklow, Ballymoney Beach is a little slice of paradise during the quiet spring, winter and autumn months.

Then summer arrives and it becomes a beacon for locals and tourists alike, which can make parking very tricky.

In the guide below, you’ll find info on swimming, things to do while you’re there and where to nab parking.

Some quick need-to-knows before visiting Ballymoney Beach

Although a visit to Ballymoney Beach in County Wexford is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

Ballymoney Beach is located a 10-minute drive from Courtown, a 12-minute drive from Gorey and a 20-minute spin from Arklow in Wicklow.

2. Parking

There’s a little bit of parking along Sea Road (here on Google Maps). There’s some additional parking at Seafield Hotel if you need it, but it’s a bit of a walk from there (but a worthwhile walk – more below!). There’s also some well-kept toilets here, too!

3. Swimming

Although it lost its Blue Flag last year, Ballymoney Beach is a popular spot amongst local swimmers. Do note, however, that lifeguards are only on duty in the summer, so only enter the water if you’re a capable swimmer.

4. Toilets

There are male and female public toilets available near the beach open long weekends and full time in summer. 

5. Water safety (please read)

Understanding water safety is absolutely crucial when visiting beaches in Ireland. Please take a minute to read these water safety tips. Cheers!

About Ballymoney Beach

The beautiful Ballymoney Beach is a fine spot for a paddle or a ramble. Relatively quiet throughout the year, Ballymoney comes alive during summer, when people flock from far and wide to its sandy shores.

Now, if you’ve ever tried to visit here on a warm summers day, you’ll know that parking can be an absolute mess, so try and get here early to avoid any hassle.

Multiple beaches

Ballymoney Beach is actually made up of a couple of beaches that are linked together. The north beach is the more popular option and has received the Blue Flag Beach award in the past.

The southern beach has been awarded the Green Coast Award for its cleanliness and is a quieter alternative.

You can reach both beaches by walking over the rocks that connect them. This offers some more opportunities to find quieter spots on the sand.

Surrounding landscape

The coastline along Ballymoney is backed by grassy hills and woodland. There are a few trails connecting some of these surrounding landscapes with the beaches.

For those looking to tackle some quieter walks in Wexford, there’s some lovely trails to saunter along nearby.

Things to do at Ballymoney Beach

There’s a handful of things to do in and around Ballymoney Beach for those of you that want to make an afternoon out of your visit.

1. Grab food at Seafield and take a forest walk to the sand

If you want to make a good half day visit to Ballymoney, then you should first head to Seafield Hotel – one of the more popular spa hotels in Wexford. You can park there and head in for a bite-to-eat or a coffee.

From the hotel, you can head out on a post-lunch walk. There’s a nice 15-minute walk through some nicely kept woodland from the hotel to the sandy beach.

The kids will equally enjoy it with a fairy trail along the way as well through the trees.

2. Or park right by the beach and head for a saunter

If you’re looking for a quick stop, you can find a parking spot right next to the beach. From there, you can easily head down for a saunter along the sand. 

If the weather is warm and you’re keen, you can go for a quick dip, too.

3. Or walk the Ballymoney Trail

If you want to try a slightly different trail, the Ballymoney Trail connects the Ballymoney Beach with Seafield Beach to the south. The coastal trail includes some steps and rocks to climb over, so you might want to be careful if you’re dragging some kids along.

Alternatively, there is a narrow pathway on higher ground without the climbing that still connects the two beaches. The views on either trail are beautiful right across the coastline.

Things to do near Ballymoney Beach

One of the beauties of Ballymoney Beach is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Wexford.

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from Ballymoney Beach.

1. Tara Hill (10-minute drive)

Just north of Ballymoney Beach, Tara Hill offers an incredible view over the coastline including the beach. The isolated hill has a couple of walking routes, with one tracing the base of the hill and the other taking you up to the top for the panorama. Both walks are around 5km each so it’s a nice way to stretch your legs.

2. Courtown Woods (15-minute drive)

Courtown Woods are another lovely place for a stroll. The woods back onto Courtown Beach and make a nice extended walk through the trees and onto the sand. There are trails taking you through the woods and past small water canals. It’s also a nice spot for a picnic away from the busy beach crowds.

3. Seal Rescue Ireland Visitor Centre (15-minute drive)

If you want to take the kids to a fun little experience, head to the Seal Rescue Visitor Centre near Courtown Beach. This volunteer-run organisation rescues and rehabilitates seal pups from the coast. They offer feeding experiences at certain times during the summer months which the whole family will love.

4. Wexford Lavender Farm (20-minute drive)

Just north of Gorey, you should make a stop in at Wexford Lavender Farm. This local farm and café are particularly beautiful when the flowers are in full bloom during summer. You can wander through the blanket of purple flowers or enjoy some of the other attractions at the farm. There’s a café, gift shop, playground, maze and plant sales to check out as well. 

FAQs about visiting Ballymoney Beach in Wexford

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Why did it loose its Blue Flag?’ to ‘Where can you park?’.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.