Balbriggan: Lighthouse, Harbour and Sandy Beach

Discover Balbriggan from several very different perspectives: as a town with a sandy beach and an active fishing harbour, but also through its lighthouse, built in 1769, and Bremore Castle, a reconstructed fortified house. A digital heritage trail and the northern starting point of the Dublin Coastal Trail add to the range of options. This raises a practical question when planning your trip: are you most interested in the beach and harbour, in architectural history, or in a cultural or coastal trail?

Beach, Main Street and railway station

Balbriggan Beach is a sandy beach close to Balbriggan’s Main Street. Balbriggan railway station is a five-minute walk from the beach. This walking time gives you a specific reference point when planning to include the beach in your day. The proximity to Main Street and the walking time between the station and the beach offer two different points of reference for your stay.

Fishing harbour and lighthouse

Visitors can watch the trawlers in the active fishing harbour. Alongside the beach, fishing is also part of Balbriggan’s distinctive character. Those interested in maritime topics will find a different point of interest here than at the lighthouse: the harbour is about its present-day use, while the lighthouse offers a historical perspective.

Balbriggan Lighthouse was built in 1769 and is Ireland’s second-oldest active lighthouse. Its precise construction date and its ranking among lighthouses that are still active give this structure a distinctive place in history. If you are interested in lighthouses or the history of maritime towns, this is a compelling reason to consider including Balbriggan in your travel plans.

Architectural history and heritage

Bremore Castle is a reconstructed fortified house in Balbriggan. It is protected both as an archaeological monument and as a protected structure. This description places the emphasis elsewhere than on the lighthouse: here, the reconstruction and the two protection categories shape how the house is understood. You can therefore choose between two different buildings and historical points of interest according to your interests.

A digital heritage trail for Balbriggan has also been published in the Dublin Discovery Trails app. The trail adds its own cultural perspective to the individual buildings. If you would rather plan your trip around cultural themes than focus solely on the beach and harbour, you can consider this heritage trail as another aspect of Balbriggan.

Balbriggan is also the northern starting point of the Dublin Coastal Trail. This provides clear direction for anyone who wants to explore the town in connection with this coastal route. As a travel reference, the starting point is different from a single excursion destination: it places Balbriggan within the route of the Dublin Coastal Trail without limiting your choice of destination to the beach or architectural history.

Which side of Balbriggan will shape your trip?

More places to discover: Skerries, Gormanston, Lusk, Swords, Blanchardstown, Ward, Santry, Sutton.

For the wider travel overview: County Fingal.