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Is this Ireland’s most secret
beach?
10.06.13
IT can be hard finding
a square-yard of sand to lay your towel when the
sun-starved Irish hit the nation's beaches to catch
some rays.
But on one of the hottest days of the year, one
family pitched up for a picnic in Inishowen with
just two seagulls, a far-distant horse-rider and
just SIX other sun-seekers for company. The Curries
from north Belfast had no parking problems either at
Binion Bay, Clonmany, as temperatures soared on
Saturday afternoon. There were only five vehicles in
the car park. "We have been coming to Binion at
least once a year for many years and we nearly
always have the whole place to ourselves," said
Gerard Currie who enjoyed the summer fun with sons
Michael, Brendan and their pal Dean Duffy. |
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The Currie family from north Belfast
pictured all by themselves at Binion Bay beach on
one of the hottest days of the year: Dad Gerard
with, from left, sons Michael and Brendan and their
pal Dean Duffy. |
"I would say it's the
quietest beach in Ireland. We love it...it's like
our own El Dorado,” he laughed.
Binion Bay lies about one kilometre from Clonmany
village. Only those in the know are aware that the
narrow, tree-lined road leading directly off the
village square, takes you to one of Ireland's most
isolated beach wildernesses. On the way you will
find idyllic straight-from-canvas pastoral scenes of
Shire horses, donkeys and lambs finding shade among
bluebells in the hedgerows.
Beachgoers who do manage to find it, will marvel too
when crossing a footbridge that whistles eerie music
in the breeze. |
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The car park at Binion Bay beach with
just FIVE cars (and one bull) on one of the hottest
days of the year. |
Binion legend tells of
ghosts, pirates and mermaids, but local caravan park
owner, Christina McEleney, says it's just a little
hard to find.
"We have people come and stay with us who find the
beach too quiet but then we have our regulars who
just love the isolation of it," she said. "I would
say Binion is definitely Ireland's most hidden beach
- it's a real treasure." Meanwhile, Inishowen's more
easily found seaside resorts including Buncrana,
Greencastle and Culdaff were thronged at the weekend
with delighted sun seekers as local shops enjoyed a
much-needed boost to their takings. |
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Hitting the deck (chair): The
isolation at beautiful Binion beach. |
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