Surfing at Easkey

Internationally the village of Easkey, Co. Sligo is the best known surfing area in Ireland.  Ask any surfer in Australia, USA or South  Africa about Surfing in Ireland and Easkey will be the place they want to visit if they haven't already done so.

What makes Easkey so special?  Easkey has two reef breaks, the left, just by the river mouth and the right, to the East of the castle.  The waves in Easkey break over rocks, rather than on to the sand.  This makes the waves more attractive to surfers because they are hollower and faster than beach breaks.  Also the surfing area in Easkey faces in such a way the prevailing winds, south-westerly, are offshore.  Offshore winds are also preferred by the surfers.

In 1979 pro/am international event was held in Easkey the Irish Surfing Association.  Surfers from all over were treated to Easkey waves at their best on the weekend of the contest.  The event got international publicity in surfing magazines.  Since then, magazines from all over the world have featured Easkey.

In 1997 Easkey was mentioned as "one of the places a travelling surfer has got to visit" in Surfer Magazine, the biggest surfing publication in the World.

In 1990 Sligo County Council and Easkey Community Council built shower, changing and toilet facilities at the sea front for the increasing number of water users.

In 1995 the Irish Surfing Association established its head-quarters in the newly built Easkey Surf and Information Centre.   In the same year the Easkey Castle Warriors surf club was set up as a result of increasing numbers of regular visitors to be catered for.

Surfing takes place in Easkey all year round.  The breaks in Easkey are suitable for Experienced surfers only, however surfing lessons are available at local beaches for the not so experienced (information and lessons from the surf centre).  All surfing equipment can be purchased from the surf centre and daily surf reports are available at 00 353 96 49020.