Murlough

Beach/ComboCo. Down🐾 Dogs allowed — with rules

A four-mile golden strand backed by Ireland's first National Nature Reserve - a 6,000-year-old dune system - beneath the Mourne Mountains, run by the National Trust.

📍 View on the map

Beach & safety

Water quality: Excellent

Lifeguard: RNLI lifeguards patrol Murlough in peak summer per RNLI's North Coast/Co. Down seasonal beach list

Hazards: Open Irish Sea-facing strand backed by Dundrum Bay's tidal channel; seals are regularly seen offshore.

Amenities: car-park · blue-flag

Dogs

National Trust requires dogs on leads across the Nature Reserve (grazing livestock and ground-nesting bird areas are out of bounds to dogs); check National Trust's current seasonal signage for exact dates as none beyond 'lead required across the reserve' was confirmed.

Official source: View the rule at source →

Family

Long flat beach is good for space and views, but reaching the shore involves a walk through dunes/boardwalk from the car park - less convenient for very young children than Millisle or Tyrella.

Fishing

North-coast and County Down surf beaches can support bass, flatfish, dogfish, winter whiting and occasional rays.

Species reported: Bass, Flounder, Dab, Lesser-spotted dogfish, Whiting, Rays

Access & parking

National Trust car park next to Lazy BJ Ranch/Mourneview Caravan Parks, off the A2. Sat-nav: BT33 0NQ. Get directions →

Researched 2026-07-24 — sources & disclaimer

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/about-bathing-water-quality

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/murlough-national-nature-reserve/visiting-murlough-nnr-with-your-dog

Rules and conditions change, so always check current signage and tides before you go. We do our best to keep this accurate but can't promise it's error-free.