Kilcummin is another beach on the Dingle Peninsula but is on the
North end of the peninsula. It is a lot longer than Inch Beach and curves
off to the left like a half moon shape. You can alternate beaches depending on
the wind conditions so you will always get sailing. The beach is usually very
quiet except for the odd walker or farmer moving the cattle. This is because
you have to go down a small windy road to get to the beach. It is more of a
challenge than Inch and is not to be taken lightly. Surface water covers about
a 1/3 of the beach meaning you will get wet and have sand up your nose but if
you have the right gear, e.g. dry suit you will be fine. You notice that as you
sail along the beach you see the tall sandy dunes of Castlegregory golf club
and the maharees.
The direction of the beach changes as you sail, adding to the challenge of getting to the far end of the beach. You may have started off heading straight down the beach at the start but you have to tack if you want to reach the end point. As I said you can't take this beach lightly, I got caught out on the beach during a heavy rain fall half way down the beach due to a sail that was not suited to the conditions. Another time the mast I was using broke on me at the end of the beach, luckily we were able to fix it but for the length of it you have to be careful. As you sail along the beach you have to look out for big channels, rock fields and surface water.
At the end of the beach is Spillane's bar and restaurant. It only opens from March to September and from 1 o clock each day. If you brought money on your adventure, you can park your yacht on the beach, walk up a few stones and head in for a refreshing beverage.
The direction of the beach changes as you sail, adding to the challenge of getting to the far end of the beach. You may have started off heading straight down the beach at the start but you have to tack if you want to reach the end point. As I said you can't take this beach lightly, I got caught out on the beach during a heavy rain fall half way down the beach due to a sail that was not suited to the conditions. Another time the mast I was using broke on me at the end of the beach, luckily we were able to fix it but for the length of it you have to be careful. As you sail along the beach you have to look out for big channels, rock fields and surface water.
At the end of the beach is Spillane's bar and restaurant. It only opens from March to September and from 1 o clock each day. If you brought money on your adventure, you can park your yacht on the beach, walk up a few stones and head in for a refreshing beverage.
Kilcummin:
Pros: Length, Challenging, Spillane’s, Quiet
Cons: Surface water, rocks, and deep water channels.
Pros: Length, Challenging, Spillane’s, Quiet
Cons: Surface water, rocks, and deep water channels.
Accessibility: ***
Busyness:*
Length: *****
Width: ***
Smoothness: ***
Difficulty: *****
Busyness:*
Length: *****
Width: ***
Smoothness: ***
Difficulty: *****
Kilcummin beach is a great challenging
beach to sail on compared to the easier Inch. Its location means that you can
alternate between it and Inch. Its challenge of the beach direction changing
means that it’s worth a sail at least once down to Spillane's.
This is the far end of the beach at the Spillane's end. The tide is in at this point. This photo was taken by me. |
This a picture looking across at the other side of Brandon bay where we sail from. This photo was taken by me, |