Northern Ireland
© Mat Tuck · CC BY-SA 2.0 Ballycastle Beach
Sand-and-shingle beach by the marina where an 18th-century glassworks once stood, and lumps of glass still wash up.
About Lisfannon Beach
Lisfannon, also called Fahan Beach, runs along the eastern shore of Lough Swilly on the Inishowen peninsula. It is mostly sand, broken by patches of rock and pebble where the glass collects. The lough is sheltered water, so pieces arrive whole and settle along the tideline.
Sea glass at Lisfannon Beach
Small clusters of glass tucked among the rocks and pebbles. Work the pebbly stretches at low tide, heading towards Fahan.
Visiting Lisfannon Beach
- Getting there
- Follow the Wild Atlantic Way signs on the R238 between Fahan and Buncrana.
- Parking
- Parking at the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point at the north end of the beach, almost on the sand.
- Toilets
- No public toilets.
- Safety
- Check the tide times before you go and head out on a falling tide, so you're never cut off. Keep away from the bottom of cliffs, wear sturdy shoes on rocks, and follow the collecting rules above.
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Sources
- donegaldayout.ie : Donegal Day Out: 'a great place to find sea glass'; no public toilets.
- theirishroadtrip.com : Parking at the Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point at the north end; follow signs on the R238 (no sea glass mention).
- smartertravel.com : Travel listicle: small clusters of glass among the rocks (listicle, supporting only).
Last updated 24 October 2026
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