Sunshine and sand are, of course, the perfect combination when the weekend is stretching out before you and you don’t have anywhere else to be. But the beauty of Ireland’s West Coast is that the beaches can be stunning all year round. When the wind is giving your cheeks a pretty glow, the skies are slate grey and you have the whole bay to yourself (except perhaps a loved one – or loved dog!), there’s nowhere I’d rather be. Three of my favourites: Coumeenoole near Dingle, famously where Ryan’s Daughter was filmed. Sweeping and majestic. Barley Cove in Cork, right on the south west tip where there’s nothing to stop the waves from galloping in from the Atlantic. And Keem Bay, Achill Island, ‘up north’ (by Clover Cove standards, anyway!). Don’t worry, if you find anyone else on those beautiful deserted sands, there are dozens of other, equally stunning beaches just around the corner.