Surfing in Ireland | |
---|---|
Country | Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland |
Governing body | Irish Surfing Association |
National team(s) | Irish Surf Team |
Clubs | 16 |
National competitions | |
Club competitions | |
International competitions | |
Ireland has become increasingly popular as a surfing destination, due to its exposed location on the turbulent Atlantic seaboard. [1]
The island has 3,172 kilometers of coastline, and the southern and western shores are exposed for waves originating in the North Atlantic. [2] Although Ireland is located at a high latitude, the warm ocean currents of the North Atlantic drift ensures mild water temperatures throughout the year, with a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F) in winter and a maximum of 21 °C (70 °F) in summer. [3]
The numerous beaches, reefs, headlands and coves along the west coast of Ireland serve as popular surf spots. Ireland has played host to international events since the 1960s, and is home to many surf shops, schools and clubs. [3]
Surfing has been documented in Ireland as early as 1949, however it wasn't until 1964 that the "Bray Island Surf Club" was founded. Ireland was first represented at the World Surfing Championship in 1966 by Kevin Cavey, which in turn inspired the first Irish National Surfing Championships, held in Tramore, County Waterford in 1967. The first Irish Inter County Surfing Championships was held in 1968, followed by a full Irish team entry in the inaugural European Surfing Championships of 1969.
The growing interest in competition surfing mirrored a general interest in surfing across the island, with the number of participants and clubs growing rapidly throughout the late 60s; by 1970, there were an estimated 400 surfers in the country. This led to the foundation of the Irish Surfing Association in that year. [4] [5]
Irish Surfing, also known as the Irish Surfing Association, is a voluntary organisation that governs the sport of surfing on the island of Ireland. It participates in club development, instructor training and surf school regulation, and promoting surfing safety and the protection of the environment, as well as overseeing competitive surfing in Ireland. [6]
There are 16 surf clubs accredited by the Irish Surfing Association. [7]
There are also many unaccredited surf clubs throughout the country.
The two most important annual events in the Irish surfing calendar are the Irish National Surfing Championships, held in Bundoran, County Donegal, [8] and the Irish Inter County Surfing Championships, held in Rossnowlagh, County Donegal. [9]
Ireland has frequently hosted international competitions, including the Smirnoff International (Easky, 1979), [4] the European Surfing Championships (Lahinch, 1972; Rossnowlagh, 1985; Bundoran, 1997 & 2011) [10] and the Billabong Monster Tow In Surf Session (Mullaghmore 2011, 2012/13). [11]
Although surfing is not universally associated with Ireland, there is a growing surfing subculture to accommodate the increased interest in the sport. There have been a number of surfing documentaries filmed on the island [12] [13] [14] (including the acclaimed 2008 documentary, Waveriders), as well as annual surf music festivals [15] [16] and a surf film festival. [17]
Ireland has an estimated 20,000 resident surfers. In addition, the country is an increasingly popular destination for surfing tourists. [18]
Name of spot | Location | County | Break Direction | Break Type | Difficulty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ballycastle Beach | Ballycastle | County Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
East Strand | Portrush | County Antrim | Left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
Finn's Left | Ballintoy | County Antrim | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Portballintrae | Portballintrae | County Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Portrush | Portrush | County Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
West Strand | Portrush | County Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
White Rocks | Portrush | County Antrim | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Castlerock | Castlerock | County Londonderry | Left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
Castlerock Beach | Castlerock | County Londonderry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Portstewart | Portstewart | County Londonderry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Ballyheirnan Bay | Fanad | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Ballymastocker | Portsalon | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Black spot | Bundoran | County Donegal | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Bloody foreland | Brinlack | County Donegal | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Bundoran | Bundoran | County Donegal | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Drumnacraig | North of Portsalon | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
Falcarragh Beach | Falcarragh | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Loughros Point | Ardara | County Donegal | Left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
Maghera Beach | Ardara | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Pampa | Bundoran | County Donegal | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Rossnowlagh | Rossnowlagh | County Donegal | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Tullan Strand | Ballyshannon | County Donegal | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
Tullaghan (left) | Tullaghan | County Leitrim | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Tullaghan (right) | Tullaghan | County Leitrim | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Bay Break | Strandhill | County Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Dunmoran | near Skreen | County Sligo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Easky | Easky | County Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Easky (right) | Easky | County Sligo | Right | Point-break | All surfers |
Gaa | Enniscrone | County Sligo | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Inishcrone | Enniscrone | County Sligo | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Lislary | near Ocean Heights B&B | County Sligo | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Mullaghmore | Mullaghmore | County Sligo | Left | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
Strandhill | Strandhill | County Sligo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Carrownisky | near Louisburgh | County Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Dugort | Achill Island (North) | County Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Keel Beach | Achill Island (South) | County Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Keel Strand | Achill Island (South) | County Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Kilcummin | Ballycastle | County Mayo | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Killadoon | beside Cross Lough | County Mayo | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Doonloughin | ~4 km WNW of Ballyconneely | County Galway | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Aileens | off Cliffs of Moher | County Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
Barrtrá | Lahinch | County Clare | Left | Point-break | All surfers |
Crab Island | Doolin | County Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Cream Point | off Milltown Malbay | County Clare | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Pros or kamikaze only... |
Doolin Point | Doolin | County Clare | Right | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Doonbeg Castle | Doonbeg | County Clare | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Doughmore Beach | Doonbeg | County Clare | Left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Fanore | Fanore | County Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Killard | near Doonbeg | County Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Lahinch Beach | Lahinch | County Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Lahinch (Left) | Lahinch | County Clare | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Spanish Point Beach | Spanish Point | County Clare | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Spanish Point Reefs | Spanish Point | County Clare | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Ardkeragh | Waterville | County Kerry | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Ballinskelligs | Waterville | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Ballybunion | Ballybunion | County Kerry | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
Ballyheigue | Ballyheigue | County Kerry | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Banna Strand | Banna Strand | County Kerry | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
Baslicon | Waterville | County Kerry | Right | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Beale | North of Ballybunion | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Brandon Bay | Maharees | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Coumeenole | Slea Head | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
Inch Reef | East of Dingle | County Kerry | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
Inch Strand | Inch (Castlemaine Harbour) | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Rossbeigh | Rossbeigh | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | Beginners wave |
Sandy Bay | Maharees | County Kerry | Right | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
St. Finnians Bay | between Puffin Island and Ballinskelligs | County Kerry | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
The Old Hatchery | Waterville | County Kerry | Left | Point-break | Experienced surfers |
Barley Cove | Barleycove | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Do More Reefs | near Glandore | County Cork | Right and left | Rivermouth | Experienced surfers |
Donomore Reefs | off Ballinglanna | County Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Dunworley | on Seven Heads Peninsula | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Fennels Bay | between Crosshaven and Myrtleville | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Fennels Bay Reef | between Crosshaven and Myrtleville | County Cork | Left | Reef-rocky | Experienced surfers |
Garretstown | near Kinsale | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Inch (Whitegate) | between Roche's Point Lighthouse and Power Head | County Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Inchydoney | Inchydoney | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Langerville | off Ardfield | County Cork | Right and left | Reef-rocky | Beginners wave |
Long Strand | near Galley Head Lighthouse | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
Ownahincha | Owenahincha | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Red Strand | near Galley Head Lighthouse | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Sherkin Island | Sherkin Island | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
White Bay | beside Fort Davis | County Cork | Right and left | Beach-break | Experienced surfers |
Annestown | Annestown | County Waterford | Right and left | Reef-rocky | All surfers |
Bunmahon | Bunmahon | County Waterford | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Maghermore | near Blainroe Golf Club | County Wicklow | Right | Beach-break | All surfers |
Tramore | Tramore | County Waterford | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Killiney Bay | Killiney | County Dublin | Right and left | Sand-bar | Experienced surfers |
Clogherhead | Clogherhead | County Louth | Right and left | Beach-break | All surfers |
Dun Dealgan | near Dundalk | County Louth | Right | Rivermouth | All surfers |
Curacloe | Wexford | Right and left | sand bank and shore break | sand bank for experienced surfers and shore break for all |
Ireland's location on the edge of the North Atlantic makes it a good location for accessing large waves. The record for the largest measured wave, at 19 m (62 ft) tall, is held by a buoy off the north-west coast of the country, [22] and satellite imagery has shown a tendency for the generation of waves in excess of 9 m (30 ft) tall in the area. [23]
Ireland's most iconic big wave, known as "Ailleens" after the nearby Aill na Searrach cliffs, is located off the Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, and is a popular location for tow-in surfing. Although championed by many as a "perfect wave", with a potential height of 12 m (39 ft), Ailleens is not an everyday occurrence, as it requires stormy conditions and strong east winds offshore. [24] [25]
Mullaghmore Head's 9 m (30 ft) waves, in County Sligo, have served as the platform for the Billabong Monster Tow In Surf Session since 2011. [26] A nearby wave, known as "Prowlers", has been surfed at an estimated height of 15 m (50 ft). [27]
County Sligo is a county in Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region and is part of the province of Connacht. Sligo is the administrative capital and largest town in the county. Sligo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county was 70,198 at the 2022 census. It is noted for Benbulben Mountain, one of Ireland's most distinctive natural landmarks.
Big wave surfing is a discipline within surfing in which experienced surfers paddle into, or are towed into, waves which are at least 20 feet high, on surf boards known as "guns" or towboards. Sizes of the board needed to successfully surf these waves vary by the size of the wave as well as the technique the surfer uses to reach the wave. A larger, longer board allows a rider to paddle fast enough to catch the wave and has the advantage of being more stable, but it also limits maneuverability and surfing speed.
Bundoran is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. The town is located near the N15 road near Ballyshannon, and is the most southerly town in Donegal. The town is a tourist seaside resort, and tourism has been at the heart of the local economy since the 18th century. Bundoran is a surfing destination and was listed by National Geographic magazine in 2012 as one of the world's top 20 surf towns.
Donegal is a town in County Donegal in Ulster, the northern province in Ireland. Although Donegal gave its name to the county, now Lifford is the county town. From the 15th until the early 17th century, Donegal was the "capital" of Tyrconnell, a Gaelic kingdom controlled by the O'Donnell dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill.
Dunfanaghy is a small town, former fishing port, and commercial centre on the north coast of County Donegal, Ireland. It lies on Donegal's North West coast, specifically the west side of Sheephaven Bay, on the N56 road, 30 km north-west of Letterkenny.
Donegal Bay is an inlet in the northwest of Ireland. Three counties – Donegal to the north and west, Leitrim and Sligo to the south – have shorelines on the bay, which is bounded on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. The town of Donegal and the River Eske lie at the head of the bay.
Mullaghmore is a village on the Mullaghmore Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It is a holiday destination with a skyline dominated by Benbulben mountain. It is in the barony of Carbury and parish of Ahamlish.
Kinlough is a large village in north County Leitrim. It lies between the Dartry Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, and between the River Duff and the River Drowes, at the head of Lough Melvin. It borders County Donegal and County Fermanagh, both in Ulster, and is near Yeats Country in County Sligo. It lies 2.5 miles from Bundoran in County Donegal, and across Lough Melvin from the village of Garrison in County Fermanagh.
Tullaghan is the most northerly village in County Leitrim, Ireland. Lying at the northern end of Glenade, Tullaghan is in the parish of Kinlough and Glenade and is part of the Manorhamilton electoral area.
Brian McEniff is a former Gaelic football manager, administrator and player.
Rossnowlagh is a seaside village in the south of County Donegal, Ireland. It is about 8 kilometres (5 mi) north of Ballyshannon and 16 km (10 mi) southwest of Donegal Town. The area's 3 km (2 mi) long beach, or 2 km (1.2 mi) if measuring from the cliffs to Carrickfad, is frequented by walkers, surfers, windsurfers, kite-surfers and swimmers.
The Sligo Junior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition contested by lower-tier Sligo GAA clubs.
Easkey Britton is an Irish surfer from Rossnowlagh, County Donegal. In 2010, she won her fifth consecutive Irish National Surfing Championship title at her namesake wave in County Sligo and in 2009 became the British Pro-Tour Champion.
Richie Fitzgerald is an Irish big-wave surfer.
Gabriel 'Gabe' Davies is a British big-wave surfer.
The Wild Atlantic Way is a tourism trail on the west coast, and on parts of the north and south coasts, of Ireland. The 2,500 km driving route passes through nine counties and three provinces, stretching from County Donegal's Inishowen Peninsula in Ulster to Kinsale, County Cork, in Munster, on the Celtic Sea coast.
Jamie Brennan is an Irish Gaelic footballer and hurler who plays football for Réalt na Mara and the Donegal county team, and has hurled for Aodh Ruadh.
Cathal Corey is a Gaelic football manager and former player from County Tyrone. He played for the Kildress Wolfe Tones club, though he never played for his county. However, he has managed several clubs throughout Ulster, as well as the Sligo county team. His most noted achievement in club management is leading Naomh Conaill to both the Donegal Senior Football Championship and the final of the Ulster Senior Club Football Championship in 2010.
The Mullaghmore Peninsula, also referred to as Mullaghmore Head, is a small peninsula in the north of County Sligo, Ireland. The coastal village of Mullaghmore is the peninsula's sole settlement. The village has 136 year-round residents according to the 2016 Census; however, its population is significantly higher during summer months. The peninsula is bounded by two large beaches on either side, and sports panoramic views of Ben Bulben and the Dartry Mountains, making it one of Sligo's most popular seaside destinations.