Author Archives: manonabeach

About manonabeach

On a beach…welcome to manonabeach.com, where I’ll regularly add video of my beach visits, so you can enjoy a flavour of the beach, even when you’re not there.

Newcastle

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available ASSI Dog friendly Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

This is a long sandy beach, stretching along the coast to Murlough and its National Nature Reserve from the seaside resort of Newcastle.  It faces east towards the Irish Sea.  Popular with visitors and locals alike, Newcastle beach has a promenade and excellent access for swimming and water sports in the clean and safe bathing water.  There are also two outdoor swimming pools behind the beach, the heated Tropicana for children or the Rock Pool lido, dating back to the 1930’s.

What the beach means to Kat and Mark.

A view from the promenade behind Newcastle beach.

Cranfield Bay

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available ASSI Dog friendly Lifeguard cover between June and September 11am to 6pm daily, weekends in September Beach cleaned regularly Good water quality for swimming

Season: autumn

The sandy beach at Cranfield Bay sits in front of a holiday park and is part of the Carlingford Lough Area of Special Scientific Interest.  Mudflats and coastal saltmarsh are exposed at low tide beyond the beach, attracting varied bird species and other wildlife.  Water sports are popular here and there is a grassy picnic area behind the beach.  Lifeguard cover is provided between June and September and this is a safe swimming beach, with clean bathing water.  Parking is free and there is a handy cafe.

High tide on a misty autumn morning by the beach at Cranfield Bay.

The arc of the beach at high tide.

Warrenpoint

View map of beach Parking available Toilets available ASSI Dog friendly

Season: autumn

Warrenpoint sits at the north western end of Carlingford Lough, sheltered from the Irish Sea and included within the Carlingford Lough Area of Special Scientific Interest.  You can see Common and Arctic Tern, Redshank and Oystercatchers by the shore here, thanks to the mudflats and coastal saltmarsh which are exposed at low tide.  The beach at Warrenpoint is shingle and best known for water sports, including kayaking and jet skiing.  With wildlife in abundance, this is a popular walking area too.  The town is welcoming and there is a promenade, with good access and all the facilities that you’ll need for a day out at the beach.

What the beach means to Lauren and Tara.

A rainy autumn morning at Warrenpoint in County Down.