Spanish Point – Beach, coastal paths and history

Spanish Point combines a long sandy beach with signposted walking trails, golf and distinctive natural and historical features. Spanish Point Beach is sheltered, while high Atlantic waves also shape the character of this coastal town. When choosing a holiday home in Spanish Point, you can consider whether you want to focus your trip mainly on beach days, walking, golf or nature watching.

Sandy beach and Atlantic waves

There are different ways to enjoy Spanish Point Beach: searching for shells and building sandcastles are among the possibilities, as is taking in the view of the high Atlantic waves. These are popular with surfers and swimmers. Surf schools operate at the beach in summer. So, alongside spending time on the sand, surfing-related activities are also part of the town’s character. There is also ample parking at Spanish Point Beach.

Four signposted walking trails

If you want to explore Spanish Point on foot, you can follow four signposted trails marked in different colours. The Kelp Walk is marked green, the Cleedagh Walk blue, the San Marcos Walk yellow and the Morony Walk white.

Coastal nature and geology

The rock pools at Black Rock and the rocky shore of Spanish Point offer a different perspective on the coast. Here you can observe various algae, shellfish and other marine life. Spanish Point lies within both a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area for birds (SPA). The rocks in the area are around 317 to 320 million years old. They date from the Pennsylvanian, also known as the Upper Carboniferous or Namurian. This geological context adds another dimension to the coastal town alongside its beach experiences.

Cycling tours also explore several aspects of the area: guides Kevin and Aron introduce participants to the history, heritage and wildlife of Spanish Point. If you would rather discover the coast by bicycle, this offers another way to engage with these topics. A guided cycling tour lets you combine an appreciation of nature and history.

Local history and golf

The name Spanish Point recalls an event from 1588, when two ships of the Spanish Armada ran aground off the coast. The area also has a historical connection to horse racing. The Miltown Malbay Races were an annual festival first mentioned in 1787. The former New Milltown Race Course was located on the site of the Spanish Point Golf Course, near tee number 3. This local history sits alongside today’s golf offering, without implying that the former racecourse and the golf course are one and the same.

Spanish Point Golf Club was founded in 1896. Its challenging 9-hole links course offers views of the Atlantic and can be played year-round. The club welcomes visitors throughout the year. If you want to include golf in your trip, you can consider it as a focus in its own right alongside the beach and coastal nature.

Discover other places

If you want to discover other places: Bellharbour, Miltown Malbay, Ballyvaghan, Broadford, Kilrush, Kilkee, Whitegate and Carron.

For the broader travel overview: County Clare.