ALTHOUGH many of us dream of jetting off to tropical climates on our summer holidays, the best trips can often be found at home. Staycations have been on the rise in recent years, and punters are looking excitedly for their next at-home holiday . The emerald isle is full of beautiful spots that you can visit without ever having to set foot in an airport .
Take Kilkee , for example, the tiny beachside town that's wildly popular amongst holidaymakers in the summer. In fact, the quaint spot sees some quarter of a million visitors every year. It's a small town located on the west coast of Ireland in the stunning Co.
Clare , roughly three hours drive from Dublin . Or, if jet-setting is part of the fun, the nearest airport to Kilkee is Shannon Airport , roughly 48 kilometres away from the town. Kilkee is hugely popular during the summer and is famous for its gorgeous beaches and stunning scenery.
The crescent-shaped Kilkee Beach is a huge stretch of unspoiled sand where visitors can spend the day relaxing. The Atlantic Ocean is broken by the huge Duggerna reef, making the water a safe and fun place to swim. And there are other popular activities on the beach such as sailing, kayaking, and paddle boarding.
But punters should be warned - using kayaks, canoes, and surfing near swimmers is prohibited. Like much of the west coast, the beach is also home to some fantastic waves that surfers will be sure to flock to. The beach has a lifeguard present in the summer months from 11 am until .