Bannow Island Beach

Bannow Island Beach

Features

Bannow Island Beach is a sandy beach on the Bannow Peninsula in south County Wexford, Ireland.

The beach is relatively long and straight, and as well as being sandy, it is frequently peppered with stones and pebbles. Unlike other beaches along the coast, it doesn’t look out to sea but rather looks across at the Hook Peninsula. This means that it has a horizon of green land and rural buildings. The beach also has an unusual backdrop because at the rear of the beach the sand immediately meets a grassy field. A geologically interesting rock formation of pale-grey Cambrian era siltstone forms the west border of the beach.

Please note, that despite the name the location is not on an island, but forms a part of a land bridge that connects the mainland with a former island. The ruins of the medeival St Mary’s Church can be seen from the beach. Bannow Bay Beach is located just up the coast. Bannow Island is part of Bannow Bay Special Protection Area. For more information, see the National Parks & Wildlife Service’s website here.

More Info

Parking: Roadside parking fits ~10 cars.

Nearest town: Wexford, 30km away.

Photographer: Gordon Wycherly