Essential Info

At a Glance — Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

Is Mountshannon, Lough Derg certified? Blue Flag Certified since 1999 — FEE-accredited, audited annually for water quality, facilities, safety, and environmental education.
What does it cost to enter Mountshannon, Lough Derg? Entry is free.
Are there lifeguards? Yes Lifeguards are posted during operating hours.
Best time to visit June, September
Sea / Ocean Atlantic Ocean
The Story

About Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

"A small lakeside bathing area. Lough Derg is one of the major freshwater lakes of Ireland. The lake is of significant ecological interest, with five habitats listed on Annex I o..."

Mountshannon, Lough Derg has been certified as a Blue Flag beach since 1999. The Blue Flag programme — run globally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) — evaluates beaches against 33 criteria covering bathing water quality, environmental education, beach management, and safety. Certification is reviewed annually; a beach must requalify each year.

Visitor Feedback

What Visitors Actually Say About Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

Note: Visitor experiences reflect conditions at the time of reporting. Beach conditions, facilities, and management can change. We recommend verifying current conditions with local authorities before visiting. This content represents a point-in-time snapshot and may not reflect current reality.

What Visitors Appreciate

Blue Flag certification ensures safety and environmental standards
Lifeguard presence during operating hours provides reassurance

Honest Considerations

Water quality can be affected by weather and runoff
Crowds vary seasonally; check peak seasons in advance
Always verify current conditions before visiting
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

The best time to visit is June, September. High season: July, August

Q1

January – March

Low crowds

Quiet, uncrowded visit

Q2

April – June

Low crowds

Shoulder season — good value

Q3

July – September

High crowds

Peak summer — book ahead

Q4

October – December

Low crowds

Off-season quiet

Sunrise & Sunset Times at Mountshannon, Lough Derg

The table below shows typical dawn and dusk times throughout the year, helping you plan golden-hour visits, early swims, or evening stays at Mountshannon, Lough Derg.

Month Sunrise Sunset Crowds
January 08:39 16:46 Low
February 07:52 17:44 Low
March 06:47 18:38 Low
April 05:34 19:33 Low
May 04:35 20:25 Low
June 04:08 21:00 Medium
July 04:27 20:50 High
August 05:16 19:59 High
September 06:08 18:47 Medium
October 07:00 17:36 Low
November 07:58 16:37 Low
December 08:41 16:16 Low

When to avoid: July, August.

Transportation

Getting There: Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

Mountshannon, Lough Derg is approximately 35.08 km from County Clare.

Train

Birdhill, 18.24 km away

Parking

surface

Orientation

Beach Orientation: Mountshannon, Lough Derg

Beach Features

The Beach Itself: Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

A small lakeside bathing area. Lough Derg is one of the major freshwater lakes of Ireland. The lake is of significant ecological interest, with five habitats listed on Annex I of the EU Habitats Directive.To find Mountshannon take the R352 from Scarriff or the R352 from Ennis. Alternatively take theR463 from Killaloe. The nearest village is Mountshannon and the nearest town is Scarriff. The beach is lifeguard patrolled during the bathing season (lifeguard times are displayed on the information noticeboard at the beach). www.blueflagireland.orgwww.clarecoco.ie

As a Blue Flag certified beach, Mountshannon, Lough Derg meets rigorous annual standards across water quality, environmental management, facilities, and safety — making it one of the recognised bathing destinations in Ireland.

Beach Composition

Mountshannon, Lough Derg is a sandy beach, suitable for families, sunbathing, and easy access to the water.

Nearby

Beyond the Beach: Nearby Attractions

35.08
km

County Clare

Nearest city with dining, shopping, and lodging

~2
km

Watersidehomes Office

Accommodation near the beach

4.21
km

Shopping

Supermarket or convenience stores

Visitor Info

Practical Information: Mountshannon, Lough Derg, Killaloe Municipal District

LanguageEnglish, Irish
CurrencyEUR
Electrical Voltage230V
Plug TypeType G
Driving Sideleft
Emergency112.0
Potable WaterAvailable
Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Mountshannon, Lough Derg holds Blue Flag certification from the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), certified since 1999. The Blue Flag award is one of the world's most recognised eco-labels for beaches, evaluated annually across 33 criteria covering water quality, environmental management, facilities, and safety education. To hold the flag, Mountshannon, Lough Derg must requalify each year — there is no permanent certification. Check the official FEE Blue Flag website for the current season's status.
Entry to Mountshannon, Lough Derg is free. As with most public beaches, there is no admission charge for access to the beach or the water. Some paid services — such as sunbed hire, parking, or food vendors — may be available on-site at additional cost. We recommend verifying current conditions with local authorities, as arrangements can change seasonally.
The best time to visit Mountshannon, Lough Derg is June, September, when weather conditions and sea temperatures are most favourable for swimming and beach activities. Avoid July, August if possible, as conditions tend to be less suitable — either too crowded, too cold, or affected by seasonal weather patterns. Travelling in shoulder months just before or after peak season often offers a balance of pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
Facilities at Mountshannon, Lough Derg include: lifeguards (posted during operating hours), wheelchair-accessible pathways, and standard Blue Flag beach amenities. Blue Flag certification requires that certified beaches maintain information boards, waste management, and environmental education materials. Always check with the local beach authority for the most current facility information, as provisions can change between seasons.
Mountshannon, Lough Derg is approximately 35.08 km from County Clare. The closest airport is Shannon Airport (SNN) (SNN), approximately 41.9 km away. Train services run to Birdhill, 18.24 km from the beach. Parking is available at or near the beach. We recommend checking local transport schedules in advance, particularly during peak season when services can be busier.

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Page & Location Information ✓ Schema.org Structured Data

Name Mountshannon, Lough Derg
Address County Clare, Killaloe Municipal District Ireland
Coordinates 52.929476° N, -8.428323° E
Certification Blue Flag (FEE) since 1999
Author Arjun Nair, Zeach Editorial Team
Last Reviewed March 2026