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Is this Ireland’s most secret beach? 10.06.13

IT can be hard finding a square-yard of sand to lay your towel when the sun-starved Irish hit the nation's beaches to catch some rays.
But on one of the hottest days of the year, one family pitched up for a picnic in Inishowen with just two seagulls, a far-distant horse-rider and just SIX other sun-seekers for company. The Curries from north Belfast had no parking problems either at Binion Bay, Clonmany, as temperatures soared on Saturday afternoon. There were only five vehicles in the car park. "We have been coming to Binion at least once a year for many years and we nearly always have the whole place to ourselves," said Gerard Currie who enjoyed the summer fun with sons Michael, Brendan and their pal Dean Duffy.
The Currie family from north Belfast pictured all by themselves at Binion Bay beach on one of the hottest days of the year: Dad Gerard with, from left, sons Michael and Brendan and their pal Dean Duffy.
"I would say it's the quietest beach in Ireland. We love it...it's like our own El Dorado,” he laughed.
Binion Bay lies about one kilometre from Clonmany village. Only those in the know are aware that the narrow, tree-lined road leading directly off the village square, takes you to one of Ireland's most isolated beach wildernesses. On the way you will find idyllic straight-from-canvas pastoral scenes of Shire horses, donkeys and lambs finding shade among bluebells in the hedgerows.
Beachgoers who do manage to find it, will marvel too when crossing a footbridge that whistles eerie music in the breeze.
The car park at Binion Bay beach with just FIVE cars (and one bull) on one of the hottest days of the year.
Binion legend tells of ghosts, pirates and mermaids, but local caravan park owner, Christina McEleney, says it's just a little hard to find.
"We have people come and stay with us who find the beach too quiet but then we have our regulars who just love the isolation of it," she said. "I would say Binion is definitely Ireland's most hidden beach - it's a real treasure." Meanwhile, Inishowen's more easily found seaside resorts including Buncrana, Greencastle and Culdaff were thronged at the weekend with delighted sun seekers as local shops enjoyed a much-needed boost to their takings.
Hitting the deck (chair): The isolation at beautiful Binion beach.
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