A hidden jewel of the Wicklow coast — a vast, untrammelled dune wilderness rich in wildflowers, birdlife and solitude, backed by a quiet shingle-and-sand beach.
The only way in is on foot: through a small gate and a 10–15 minute hike across rolling marram-grass dunes — steep in parts — before the strand opens up. The walk itself is the highlight, winding through dune slacks with ever-changing vegetation.
In spring and summer the dune slacks erupt with pyramidal orchids, purple thyme, pink centaury, storksbill, blue speedwell, yellow lady's bedstraw, and burnet rose. Butterflies are abundant, and skylarks and warblers provide the soundtrack.
The sand-and-shingle shore stretches for several kilometres with few people. Sea holly blooms along the strand in summer. Look for courting little terns and ringed plover in spring — both nest here. Swimming is possible but there are no lifeguards and strong currents can occur.
Heading inland from the beach reveals reed beds, a marsh, and a gnarled little wood where willow, birch and sycamore — stunted like bonsai by the coastal conditions — have colonised the deeper dune slacks.
In autumn the dunes turn rust and gold, and the reserve reveals yet another side: a surprisingly rich mushroom habitat. Puffballs and parasols are common, though the golden rule applies — eat only what you can confidently identify.
A motley herd of piebald ponies roams the reserve for part of the year as part of a sustainable grazing strategy that keeps scrub in check and allows dune flora to thrive during the flowering season.
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