Up The Coast From Dublin Is An Irish Village With Historic Shores, Tasty Eats, And A Gorgeous Beach

On an island as epically beautiful as Ireland, it seems like you could close your eyes, spin around, point to a random spot on a map, and find a stunning beach. While many of Ireland's beaches may share characteristics like sandy shores and shockingly (or refreshingly) cold water, only one can claim to have these and a unique historic find: Bettystown in County Meath. Located about 40 minutes up the coast from Dublin, Bettystown is a classic beach town known for its Blue and Green Flag beach where the Tara Brooch, one of Ireland's most significant pieces of medieval jewelry, was found.

According to the local story, a woman and her kids found this historic piece of jewelry in a stream leading to the beach in 1850. Some say that it was actually found inland and its location was moved to the beach to avoid a landowner staking a claim to it. But all agree that this 7th or 8th-century brooch of silver, enamel, and amber not only helped ignite an interest in Celtic culture (Queen Victoria had several replicas), but is also one of the country's most remarkable examples of early medieval craftsmanship.

Although the Tara Brooch is currently on display at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin, other pieces of Bettystown's history remain. Once known as Betaghstown, the town was named for the influential Betagh family. The Bettystown House, their historic 17th-century home, still stands with well-preserved 18th and 19th-century elements as well. And it's now home to one of the town's handful of tasty eats, which you'll also find lining the picturesque shore of Bettystown Beach. Historic pubs, Asian restaurants, and wood-fired delights at the Bettystown House all offer options to keep you sated, whether you're visiting just for the day or overnight.

With over three miles of sandy shore, it's not exactly a mystery why Bettystown Beach is a popular destination for folks from Dublin, Meath, and elsewhere. In 2026, Bettystown Beach was awarded a Blue Flag for the third consecutive year. A Blue Flag designation can tell you a lot about a beach before you book, as it carries with it a high standard of water quality, safety, and environmental management. So, even with the summer crowds, you can still expect Bettystown to offer a high-quality beach experience.

The beach also got a Green Flag for its conservation and stewardship, which shows just how clean this beach is. Those interested in environmental conservation can join the group, Bettystown Tidy Towns, which meets every Saturday at the square from 9-11 a.m. to do beach cleanup. It's part of the reason why Bettystown is a Blue and Green Flag beach and is a great way to meet locals and interact with this gorgeous beach in a new way.

If you're looking to feel the sand beneath your feet and the sea breeze without the crowds, stroll this coastal stretch in the early morning, when you can catch the sweeping, majestic sunrise. If crowds are your thing and you're visiting in September, head to the neighboring Laytown Beach to watch Ireland's only beach horse race – one of the many things that makes County Meath such a unique European region. Or if you want to channel your inner Michelangelo, join Bettystown's long-running National Sandcastle and Sand Sculpture Competition, which takes place in the summer. You can register for this event on the day of the competition, and it's free for participants and spectators. Competition categories are divided between kids and adults, and you can even join with your family to test the strength of your familial bonds.

Inevitably, a day at the beach will work up an appetite, and luckily, Bettystown has some great food options both on and off the beach. Located more inland in town, The Barn at Bettystown House offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a comfort-food menu of homemade sourdough pizza and focaccia, burgers, and loaded potatoes. One Google reviewer writes that "the food is outrageously good – the beef brisket and potatoes are as good as any Michelin restaurant."

If you're looking for a place with a sea view, check out Navy Bettystown, which is a popular coffee spot with brunch, sandwiches, and small bites like wings and tacos. Bistro Bt is also right on the water with outdoor seating that allows you to savor fish and chips with a perfect sea view. Chans Bettystown is a family-run local institution with a mix of Chinese and Vietnamese food, and Reddans Bar and B&B has been serving Bettystown drinks, pub fare, and weekend live music for over 140 years.

Whether you're traveling solo in fun and friendly Dublin or with a group, you can easily take a day trip to Bettystown. This beach town is a little over a half-hour drive from Dublin and its airport. Alternatively, there's a direct Matthews bus that goes from Dublin to Bettystown in about 40 minutes, and it runs from the early morning until late at night. A bus ticket costs less than 10 euros, so it's an Irish sea breeze to get to the historic Bettystown, whether you're going for the day or staying overnight.