The Forty Foot, a historic bathing pool on a promontory on the southern tip of Dublin Bay, is a short walk from the James Joyce Tower. It used to be a male only swimming spot but today both men and women enjoy a swim here. The character of Buck Mulligan in James Joyce’s Ulysses takes a dip in the Forty Foot. People have been swimming here for the past 250 years.
Take the DART to Sandycove/Glasthule station and walk from Scotsman’s Bay to Sandycove Harbour, continue up the hill and you will find the 40 Foot bathing place.
Hardy Dubliners come here all year round to swim in the Irish sea. The concrete wind shelters of the 40 Foot are perched on an impressive rock outcrop reaching into the bay and concrete steps lead you right into the crashing waves of the Irish Sea.
Facilities / Public Conveniences and General information for your visit
- Transport and accessibility: Sandycove and Glasthule DART Station is located approximately 1km from the forty foot bathing area. The DART services all stations northward to Dublin city and south towards Bray and Greystones. Check train times at Irish rail website: https://www.irishrail.ie/en-ie. Cycling stands are available for those travelling by bicycle. Limited parking is available at this location given narrow roads.
- Lifeguards: The Forty Foot is not a lifeguarded location. Please visit the DLR lifeguard page for more details on lifeguarded beaches. Link:https://www.dlrcoco.ie/beaches/lifeguards
- Public toilets: Toilets are provided 200m from the beach at the junction of Sandycove point and Sandycove Avenue East. The superloo toilet facility is 200m from the beach on Sandycove Avenue West. Toilet opening times are as follows:
Nov/Dec/Jan/Feb - Opening times 7:30am to 9:00am. Closing between 4:30pm and 5:30pm
Mar/Apr/Sep/Oct - Opening times 7:30am to 9:00am. Closing between 6:00pm and 7:30pm
May/June/July/Aug - Opening times 7:30am to 9:00am. Closes between 9:00pm and 10:00pm
- Beach Bye Laws: Beach Bye laws are in place to make the area safe and enjoyable for everyone. These include rules on litter, dogs, jet skis, noise and litter. Our Beach Bye Laws can be found at the following link: https://www.dlrcoco.ie/parks-outdoors/beaches/beach-bye-laws
- Animals at the forty foot: Dogs and other animals are required to be kept under effective control. Note: Guide dogs for the blind are allowed at all times.
- Events and Activities: You will need to have a licence to hold an event at the forty foot. Please download application forms for water based recreational activities and commercial events at the following link: https://www.dlrcoco.ie/beaches/beach-event-applications-and-permits.
- Permits and Licences: You need a permit to film or operate a personal watercraft / jet ski. Please find additional information and download application forms at the following link: https://www.dlrcoco.ie/beaches/beach-event-applications-and-permits
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