Directions to the Trailhead
Take the N15 to Grange and the L3203 Signposted to Streedagh. Turn right after 1.1km again following signage for Streedagh. Car Parking is available at the beach. Be aware of high tide times as this parking area can become flooded.
The Trail Map:- OSI Map Series 16
The Route
Streedagh Beach is an impressive 3km long sandy beach located on the north western shore of a sandbar linking Streedagh Point to an area known as Connor’s Island. This is an exposed beach with reef breaks which create ideal surfing conditions all year round.
The walk is linear, along a horseshoe shaped beach. When you reach Connor’s Island, retrace your steps back to the car park.
Geology and Nature
If you look closely at the rocks on the left hand side of the beach, you’ll see that the rock is layered here, the oldest of these being carboniferous limestone that are among the oldest anywhere in the region. Further around the coast (beware of rising tides!), you can find some incredible fossils. Zaphrentis are particularly common here, formed about four hundred million years ago.
Did you know?
Three ships of the Spanish Armada were wrecked on Streedagh Beach in 1588. The Armada set sail to dethrone Elizabeth I, the Protestant Queen of England. However the Spanish lost the decisive naval battle at Gravelines in the English Channel, and the fleet sailed northwards rounding Scotland and Ireland in the hope of returning to Spain. The ships encountered a ferocious Atlantic storm, however, and up to 26 were wrecked off the Irish coast. These included three at Streedagh, where an estimated 1,100 Spaniards were lost to the sea. However, some survived through a mixture of good fortune and assistance from some of the Irish chieftains of the area. Captain De Cuéllar’s account of his experience of these events is an extremely significant piece of social history and his epic journey back to his homeland is commemorated to this day as part of Remembering the Armada, an annual commemorative festival held in Grange each September.
The carboniferous limestone rocks at Streedagh contain many species of fossil coral. Zaphrentis are particularly common here, formed about four hundred million years ago
Nearby walks you might like
Raghly Loop Trail
Looped walk with views of Sligo Bay
and Drumcliff Bay
Lisadell
A pleasant linear walk along a forest path which runs between the public road and Drumcliffe bay
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