Beach · County Donegal
Na Dúnaibh
Downings
Can I swim here? Outside the bathing season
The bathing season runs from 1 June to 15 September. Outside it the water is not tested weekly and lifeguards are not on duty. The last sample, on 8 September 2026, was excellent. Live status on beaches.ie, which the EPA updates hourly in season.
Downings beach consists of a sandy beach in Sheephaven Bay that is confined by Downings pier to the west and a small headland called Maslack to the South. There is a sea cave in the Maslack headland that is exposed at low tide. The Peninsula comprises an excellent variety of coastal habitats including high rock cliffs, offshore islands, sand dunes, salt marshes, a large intertidal bay and rocky shingle and sandy beaches. These habitats support a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation. Activities at Downings beach include swimming, kayaking, boating, windsurfing, sailing, surfing, power boating, jet skiing (outside the designated area), diving and other land based activities on the beach. The designated bathing area is approx. 0.273km2 and the extent along the water is approximately 687m. There is a very shallow gradient off Downings Beach with the water depth reaching 1m approx. 50m from the water line and gradually getting deeper.
Excellent (2025): The highest standard: results over four years were consistently very clean.
The record, year by year
| Year | EPA classification | Samples | Excellent | Good | Sufficient | Poor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | 12 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2025 | Excellent | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | Excellent | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Excellent | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022 | Excellent | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | — | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | — | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | — | 11 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Facilities
| Lifeguards | Yes | |
|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Yes | |
| Parking | Yes | |
| Wheelchair access | Yes | |
| Beach wheelchair | Yes | Beach Wheelchair is available via the Downings Tidy Towns by arrangement (087 6152351) |
| Public transport | Yes | |
| First aid | Yes | |
| Lifebuoy | No | |
| Information board | Yes | |
| Activity zones | No | |
| Litter bins | Yes | |
| Recycling | Yes |
Dogs and cars
- Dogs on a leadDogs are not permitted in the Blue Flag Area of the beach from 12 pm to 7 pm (1st June to 15th September). Dogs are permitted on leads outside the Blue Flag Area at all times.
- Cars allowed on the beach
Latest sample (2026-09-08): E. coli <10, intestinal enterococci 5 (cfu/100 ml).
The EPA's bathing water profile
Outdoors in County Donegal this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
Status Yellow - Rain warning for Donegal
From Thu, 8 Oct, 09:00 until Fri, 9 Oct, 04:00
Heavy spells of rain.
Be aware of potential impacts:
- Difficult travelling conditions
- Localised flooding possible
Issued by Met Éireann · met.ie/warnings
- Fri, 9 Oct12° / 10°Medium rain showers
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 9°Medium rain showers
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 11°Sun with grey cloud
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Beaches & bathing waters
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 3.3 km awayIsland Roy - Oileán RuaidhIslandOileán Ruaidh or Island Roy is a truly magical retreat from the rush of the rest of the world. This tiny 65 hectare island, off the coast of Donegal, is so little known and secluded that it doesn't always feature on maps.
Nature spot · 3.9 km awayRos Goill (Rossguill Peninsula)BeachSet between the headlands of Melmore Head and Horn Head, this point on the Rosguill Peninsula in northeast Donegal offers dramatic open views over the Atlantic coastline.