A tiny, wind-sheltered golden-sand cove on Wexford's Hook Peninsula, where legend says mutineers buried nearly two tonnes of Spanish gold in 1765.
High sandy cliffs curve around to rocky outcrops that block the prevailing winds, and the beach shelves gently into shallow water, so it works for a dip or paddle at either high or low tide. There is no lifeguard and no official swim advice, so check conditions locally before entering the water.
Booley Bay Beach lies only about 300m away but you must go back onto the road and walk around it, not along the water's edge. It is a Green Coast accredited beach with excellent water quality and a flat grassy area above the high-water mark.
The beach is small, roughly 100m long and 20m wide, backed by 10-15m grass-topped cliffs and farmland, which gives it a quiet, isolated feel. It is a good spot for sunbathing, a leg-stretch or simply digging in the sand.
Local legend says crewmen who mutinied aboard the Earl of Sandwich came ashore here in November 1765 with 250 sacks of Spanish gold and buried most of it in the sand, giving the bay its name. The gold was recovered long ago, so leave the shovel at home.
The bay faces east across Waterford Harbour towards County Waterford, and the views over the water are at their best in the late evening. Expect little or no mobile phone signal, which is part of the appeal.
Dollar Bay sits on the Ring of Hook coastal drive. Duncannon Fort and beach are a 5-minute drive, Loftus Hall 10 minutes and Hook Lighthouse, the oldest in Ireland, about 15 minutes.
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