5 Easy Seaside Walks With a Post-Stroll Ice-Cream (Dogs Very Welcome)

Julia Labedz
Sep 2
2 min read

Short, scenic, and sweet - these five coastal walks are perfect for a gentle leg-stretch with the dog and a celebratory cone at the end. We’ve kept things simple: flat paths or firm sand, easy parking, clear lead rules, and an ice-cream stop you can actually count on.

1) Dún Laoghaire East Pier + Teddy’s (Co. Dublin)

A straight-out-and-back on the granite East Pier to the lighthouse and back - about 2.6km total on a broad, level path. It’s pram-friendly, bench-dotted, and popular with every kind of walker under the sun. Dogs are welcome on lead. Parking is right at the harbour.

Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown requires “effectual control” in public places (in practice: keep the lead on here). Nearby beaches have seasonal Blue Flag restrictions, but they don’t apply to the pier.

The cone: Teddy’s is the local institution - multiple kiosks in Dún Laoghaire and an East Pier spot in season. Grab a 99 and stroll the bandstand stretch.

2) Red Island Coastal Walk + Storm in a Teacup (Skerries, North Co. Dublin)

Start from Red Island car parks and follow the tarmac path around the headland between North Beach and South Strand - flat, breezy, and short enough (≈2–3km loop) for both little legs and older dogs. Plenty of benches and sea views.

Fingal asks for dogs to be on a lead or under effectual control in public spaces. Blue Flag zones (when in force) restrict dogs during bathing hours—check the signs if you drop onto the sand.

The cone: Storm in a Teacup sits right on the harbour. Seasonal hours, but they post updates.

3) Strandhill Promenade Loop + Mammy Johnston’s (Co. Sligo)

A relaxed promenade loop beside the Atlantic, with optional detours to the dunes boardwalks. It’s as easy as coastal walking gets; keep to the paths and promenade if the surf is up. Dogs must stay on lead under Sligo’s by-laws.

The cone: Mammy Johnston’s is a Strandhill classic with award-winning gelato, crepes, coffee, and outside seating for sandy paws.

4) Inch Beach Stroll + Sammy’s (Dingle Peninsula, Co. Kerry)

Park by the strand and wander the firm hard-packed sand as far as you like - this long spit invites a simple out-and-back with big-sky views. Ideal at lower tide; avoid soft dune edges to protect wildlife.

On Blue Flag areas in Kerry, dogs are restricted between 11:00–19:00 during summer (with signed through-ways to non-Blue Flag sections). Outside those zones/hours, keep the lead handy and follow signage.

The cone: Sammy’s is right on the beach, handy for cones to-go (and shaded water bowls outside in summer). Check their daily hours before you roll up.

5) Portstewart Strand & Dunes + Morelli’s (Causeway Coast, NI)

A gentle dune-and-estuary ramble with beach parking and clear waymarks. It’s as easy or as short as you want to make it; when tides allow, the two-mile strand is perfect for a sandy amble.