Surf Ireland - Quick Facts
LOCATION: Republic of Ireland
POPULATION: 6800000
NATIONALITY: Irish
LANGUAGE: English
CURRENCY: Euro

There are two, independent sovereign countries on the geographic island of Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (Ulster). Northern Ireland is the smaller country with a land mass of about one fifth of the island. Northern Ireland is one of the four countries which constitute the United Kingdom.
The capital city of Northern Ireland is Belfast. The Republic of Ireland is the largest of the two countries on the island. It's capital city is Dublin.

The Republic of Ireland has a total area is 70,273 square kilometers, and has nearly 1500 kilometers of coastline. The gulf stream results in cool summers and mild winters. There's always plenty of cloud though!

The Republic of Ireland was one of a number of european countries that signed up to the Euro, and started using it on the 1st January 2002. The country experienced a great boom period between 1997 to 2007, the Celtic Tiger. Things have since gone down hill, and recently Dublin had to accept a bailout from the EU. It's an expensive place to visit.

The Irish coastline is one of the most prolific and beautiful surfing backdrops in the northern hemisphere, if not the world.

Ireland Surf Spot Map

Please post your Ulster and Irish surf spots (Northern Ireland and Eire) to our Irish surf map. No secret spots please, but any other helpful information is appreciated.

For the past few years the world's amateur surfers and best professionals alike have flocked to surf the secret emerald coastline and enjoy the hospitality of the Ulster and Irish peoples. The island is blessed with a huge variety of quality surf spots and some really uncrowded areas, meaning that you will get plenty of waves to yourself if you're planning a surf trip here.

The best time to surf Ireland is during the period from September to May each year when the Atlantic Ocean provides plenty of powerful cold water swells. The only real drawback to the Ireland surfing experience is the cold water, but if you are prepared to overlook this little problem you are in for a treat.

Get yourself a decent wetsuit, some booties, wetsuit gloves and a wetsuit hood before you go. You might even want to consider a thermal rash guard. Surfing here can be pretty hardcore, with some serious cold water waves.

If you are considering a trip to Ireland then start out by heading to Donegal Bay - it is like a swell magnet and there are spots dotted all over. There really is a wave for everyone, with a huge variety of uncrowded reef and beach breaks with predominant offshores. It's a great place for learning to surf.

If you are into big wave surfing, there are big wave spots that will hold 20ft+. Make sure you prepare yourself for some big hold-downs. Ireland has recently received some international attention for some huge sessions held at two of it's big waves spots, Aileens and Prowlers. Checkout Justine Dupont at Aileens in October 2012



Don't forget to sample the Guiness and the legendary hospitality of the locals, and don't leave without surfing Lahinch, Easkey and Portrush. And don't forget to tell us about it!

Surfing Ireland - The Good
Quality Surf
Uncrowded Waves
Regular Offshore Conditions
Guinness

Surfing Ireland - The Bad and the Ugly
Cold Water
Cold Wind
Leprechauns Stealing Your Boards When You Are Not Looking
Expensive

Ireland Surfing Conditions

What are you waiting for, get packing your surf luggage today! (We've even got the latest Roxy Luggage, so check it out)