Mulranny Beach: Parking, Swimming + Visitor Info

Awarded a Blue Flag once again in 2024, Mulranny Beach is one of several magnificent stretches of sand dotted along Mayo’s coastline.

Located a short ramble from Mulranny town centre and the famous causeway, it boasts a lifeguard service come summer time along with decent parking.

Although there are several beaches in Mulranny, the one I’ll focus on below is the ‘main’ beach near the town. Cheers!

Some quick need-to-knows about Mulranny Beach

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

1. Location

Mulranny Beach is located in County Mayo, just southwest of the Mulranny. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Newport in the east or around 35-minutes from the larger town of Westport.

It’s also one of the closest beaches on the mainland to Achill Island, just 15 minutes from the bridge.

2. Parking

You’ll find a decent amount of parking at Mulranny Beach, with space for campers as well. At the parking area, you’ll also find information and map boards, clean public toilets, and disabled access to the beach.

Alternatively, if you’re planning to walk to the beach along Mulranny Causeway, you can park up in the town centre.

3. Swimming

Mulranny Beach is a Blue Flag beach that boasts high water quality and lifeguards during the bathing season.

As well as swimming, it’s also a popular beach for kayaking. Please only enter the water when conditions are good and if you understand water safety.

About Mulranny Beach

Mulranny Beach offers a fabulous mix of long stretches of soft sand backed by heaps of large, multi-hued pebbles

The gorgeous blue sea laps at the sand, and facing south out to Clew Bay, it’s fairly sheltered.

Beyond the beach, a fantastic landscape of dunes, salt marsh, and sand plains rolls out.

Known as a machair region, an area of fertile, low-lying grassy plains, it’s one of the rarest landscapes in the county.

Machairs are only found on the west coast of Ireland and parts of Scotland.

The area behind Mulranny Beach is awash with plant life, such as grasses and wildflowers, and home to a diverse array of birds and insects, including the rare greater yellow bumblebee, oystercatchers, and snipes.

You can explore the machair by taking a walk on the Mulranny Causeway. This boardwalk stretches from the village to the beach, cutting through the machair and offering some fantastic sights.

Things to do at Mulranny Beach

There are an handful of things to in Mulranny, with many of the town’s main attractions within strolling distance of the beach.

Here’s a few suggestions to get you started:

The Lookout Hill Loop

This 6 km looped walk is a great way to stretch your legs and take in some of the stunning scenery on and around the beach.

It kicks off at Mulranny Pier, and loops up through the village and back across the beach.

Along the way, you’ll pass through bogland, Atlantic salt marsh, and forest. As you progress, elevated views of both Bellacragher Bay and Clew Bay open up, providing some fantastic seascapes.

Rated as moderate, it’s more than manageable if you’re in reasonable shape and will typically take around two and a half hours to complete.

The Causeway

The Mulranny Causeway is one of the town’s more notable landmarks, dating back to 1889.

This is an elevated walkway that links the town to the pier and then on to the beach, passing over Troughter Bay.

Things to do near Mulranny Beach

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

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from this charming little town.

1. Achill Island (15-minute drive)

Achill Island is Ireland’s largest island and a superb place to explore. You’ll find a blend of stark, remote landscapes, bustling villages, and world-class beaches.

Follow the Atlantic Drive from Mulranny Beach for a road trip that takes in the best that the island has to offer.

2. Westport Town (35-minute drive)

Sitting on the banks of the Carrowbeg River, Westport is a bustling town brimming with attractions, great pubs, and fabulous places to eat.

Nearby, you’ve the Croagh Patrick Hike, Bertra Beach, Westport House and plenty more.

3. Wild Nephin National Park (20-minute drive)

Covering more than 15,000 hectares, Wild Nephin National Park takes in a fascinating landscape of blanket bogs, mountain ranges, and lakes.

Uninhabited and unspoiled, it’s a rare area of raw natural beauty, home to a rich array of creatures and plants.