A few minutes from Wexford town, Curracloe is the beach that has stood in for both the bloody shores of Normandy and a 1950s Brooklyn homecoming on the big screen. Eleven kilometres of golden sand backed by dunes and forest, it is one of the finest beaches in Ireland — a Blue Flag strand vast enough that even on a busy August day you can walk yourself into solitude.
A Beach with a Starring Role
Curracloe’s long, pale sweep famously doubled for Omaha Beach in the opening sequence of Steven Spielberg’s Saving Private Ryan, and later appeared as the American shoreline in the film adaptation of Colm Tóibín’s Brooklyn. Stand on the dunes and it is easy to see why filmmakers chose it — the scale and the light are extraordinary.
A Day on the Sand
Beyond the film history, Curracloe is simply a wonderful beach: safe swimming with lifeguards in summer, gentle dunes for children to explore, and the Raven Nature Reserve at its southern end, a pine forest planted on the dunes that is laced with walking trails and rich in birdlife. The beach blends into neighbouring strands, so the walking is effectively endless.
Practical Information
Curracloe Beach is about a 15-minute drive north-east of Wexford town, with several access points and ample parking (busy on summer weekends). There are seasonal lifeguards, and basic facilities near the main entrance. For the Raven Nature Reserve, use the southern car park. Free to visit year-round — bring a windbreak and walking shoes, and it rewards a visit in any season.
This is one of our Top 15 Things to Do in Wexford.