Surfing in Ireland

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Surfing in Ireland
Doonbeg Doughmore Beach in Autumn 2009.JPG
Surfers on Doughmore Beach, County Clare
Country Republic of Ireland
Northern Ireland
Governing body Irish Surfing Association
National team(s) Irish Surf Team
Clubs16
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]

Contents

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]

History

Surfing has been documented in Ireland as early as 1949, however it was not 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]

Governing body

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]

Clubs

There are 16 surf clubs accredited by the Irish Surfing Association. [7]

There are also many unaccredited surf clubs throughout the country.

Competitions

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]

Culture

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] The Mullaghmore Head famously known as "The Irish Beast" is a well known big wave that breaks between Grange and Cliffoney, 400 meters northwest of the village of Mullaghmore in County Sligo. It is known as one of the most challenging big waves in the world. [18]

Demographics

Ireland has an estimated 20,000 resident surfers. In addition, the country is an increasingly popular destination for surfing tourists. [19]

Locations

List of surf spots [20] [21] [22]
Name of spotLocationCountyBreak DirectionBreak TypeDifficulty
Ballycastle Beach Ballycastle County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
East Strand Portrush County Antrim LeftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Finn's Left Ballintoy County Antrim RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Portballintrae Portballintrae County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Portrush Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
West Strand Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
White Rocks Portrush County Antrim Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Castlerock Castlerock County Londonderry LeftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Castlerock Beach Castlerock County Londonderry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Portstewart Portstewart County Londonderry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballyheirnan Bay Fanad County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballymastocker Portsalon County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Black spot Bundoran County Donegal Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Bloody forelandBrinlack County Donegal RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Bundoran Bundoran County Donegal Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
DrumnacraigNorth of Portsalon County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Falcarragh Beach Falcarragh County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Loughros Point Ardara County Donegal LeftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Maghera Beach Ardara County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Pampa Bundoran County Donegal LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Rossnowlagh Rossnowlagh County Donegal Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Tullan Strand Ballyshannon County Donegal RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Tullaghan (left) Tullaghan County Leitrim LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Tullaghan (right) Tullaghan County Leitrim RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Bay Break Strandhill County Sligo LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Dunmorannear Skreen County Sligo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Easky Easky County Sligo LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Easky (right) Easky County Sligo RightPoint-breakAll surfers
Gaa Enniscrone County Sligo LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Inishcrone Enniscrone County Sligo RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Lislarynear Ocean Heights B&B County Sligo Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Mullaghmore Mullaghmore County Sligo LeftReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Strandhill Strandhill County Sligo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Carrowniskynear Louisburgh County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Dugort Achill Island (North) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Keel Beach Achill Island (South) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Keel Strand Achill Island (South) County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Kilcummin Ballycastle County Mayo LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Killadoonbeside Cross Lough County Mayo Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Doonloughin~4 km WNW of Ballyconneely County Galway Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Aileensoff Cliffs of Moher County Clare RightReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Barrtrá Lahinch County Clare LeftPoint-breakAll surfers
Crab Island Doolin County Clare RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Cream Pointoff Milltown Malbay County Clare Right and leftReef-rockyPros or kamikaze only...
Doolin Point Doolin County Clare RightReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Doonbeg Castle Doonbeg County Clare LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Doughmore Beach Doonbeg County Clare LeftReef-rockyAll surfers
Fanore Fanore County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Killardnear Doonbeg County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Lahinch Beach Lahinch County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Lahinch (Left) Lahinch County Clare LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Spanish Point Beach Spanish Point County Clare Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Spanish Point Reefs Spanish Point County Clare RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Ardkeragh Waterville County Kerry LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Ballinskelligs Waterville County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Ballybunion Ballybunion County Kerry RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Ballyheigue Ballyheigue County Kerry Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Banna Strand Banna Strand County Kerry Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Baslicon Waterville County Kerry RightPoint-breakExperienced surfers
BealeNorth of Ballybunion County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Brandon Bay Maharees County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Coumeenole Slea Head County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Inch ReefEast of Dingle County Kerry Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Inch Strand Inch (Castlemaine Harbour) County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Rossbeigh Rossbeigh County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakBeginners wave
Sandy Bay Maharees County Kerry RightSand-barExperienced surfers
St. Finnians Baybetween Puffin Island and Ballinskelligs County Kerry Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
The Old Hatchery Waterville County Kerry LeftPoint-breakExperienced surfers
Barley Cove Barleycove County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Do More Reefsnear Glandore County Cork Right and leftRivermouthExperienced surfers
Donomore Reefsoff Ballinglanna County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Dunworleyon Seven Heads Peninsula County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Fennels Baybetween Crosshaven and Myrtleville County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Fennels Bay Reefbetween Crosshaven and Myrtleville County Cork LeftReef-rockyExperienced surfers
Garretstownnear Kinsale County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Inch (Whitegate)between Roche's Point Lighthouse and Power Head County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Inchydoney Inchydoney County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Langervilleoff Ardfield County Cork Right and leftReef-rockyBeginners wave
Long Strandnear Galley Head Lighthouse County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Ownahincha Owenahincha County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Red Strandnear Galley Head Lighthouse County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Sherkin Island Sherkin Island County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
White Baybeside Fort Davis County Cork Right and leftBeach-breakExperienced surfers
Annestown Annestown County Waterford Right and leftReef-rockyAll surfers
Bunmahon Bunmahon County Waterford Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Maghermorenear Blainroe Golf Club County Wicklow RightBeach-breakAll surfers
Tramore Tramore County Waterford Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Killiney Bay Killiney County Dublin Right and leftSand-barExperienced surfers
Clogherhead Clogherhead County Louth Right and leftBeach-breakAll surfers
Dun Dealgannear Dundalk County Louth RightRivermouthAll surfers
Curacloe Wexford Right and leftsand bank and shore breaksand bank for experienced surfers and shore break for all

Big wave surfing

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, [23] and satellite imagery has shown a tendency for the generation of waves in excess of 9 m (30 ft) tall in the area. [24]

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. [25] [26]

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. [27] A nearby wave, known as "Prowlers", has been surfed at an estimated height of 15 m (50 ft). [28]

See also

References

  1. Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  2. "The best surf spots in Ireland". SurferToday. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Surfing in Ireland Irish culture and customs - World Cultures European". www.irishcultureandcustoms.com. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Our History". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  5. Cavey, Kevin. "Surf History". kevincavey.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  6. "Who We Are". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  7. "IrishSurfing - Sign Up" . Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  8. "Irish National Surfing Championships 2016 - Discover Bundoran - Tourist Information from Ireland's Capital of Fun!". discoverbundoran.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  9. "47TH Annual Intercounties". www.irishsurfing.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  10. "Rossnowlagh Intercounties & Irish Surfing Association 50th Anniversary Celebration" . Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  11. "Tow-in Surf Session Ireland | Surf Camps Europe". Surfcampseurope.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  12. "Irish Film Institute -New Documentary Between Land and Sea Gets Stunning Trailer". ifi.ie. 27 February 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  13. "Monster Waves of Europe- Ireland - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  14. "The Crest - A New Crowdfunded Irish Surf Movie - Surf Around Ireland Surf Around Ireland". www.surfaroundireland.com. Archived from the original on 9 January 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  15. "Sea Sessions 2017". seasessions.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  16. "Surf & Sea Festival Tramore". www.surfandseafestival.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  17. "Shoreshots". 54.2766° N, 8.4761° W. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  18. "Mullaghmore Head". Surfer Today. Retrieved 28 June 2025.
  19. "Surfing tourism on crest of a wave after monster swell". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 April 2017.
  20. Ltd, Wannasurf.com. "Ireland - WannaSurf, surf spots atlas, surfing photos, maps, GPS location". www.wannasurf.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  21. "Surf Forecast & Surf Reports for IRELAND". www.surf-forecast.com. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  22. "Surfspots.ie". surfspots.ie. Retrieved 30 April 2017.
  23. "'World's Biggest Wave' Recorded Off Ireland". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  24. "New Big Wave Hotspot Discovered Off Irish Coast". afloat.ie. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  25. Fáilte Ireland. "Biggest Waves in the World | Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  26. "Aileen's – Ireland's Perfect Wave #irlnd". Ireland.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  27. Fáilte Ireland. "Mullaghmore Surf | Surfing on the Wild Atlantic Way". www.wildatlanticway.com. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
  28. Cooney, Neil (November 2010). "The Impact of Surfing on the Local Economy of the Lahinch Area, Co. Clare, Ireland" (PDF). www.surfaroundireland.com. p. 5. Archived from the original on 14 February 2019.