Surfing in Ireland - where to find those killer waves?
By: Susan Byron | Published Wednesday, November 10, 2010, 10:05 AM | Updated Friday, September 9, 2011, 9:54 PM
Read more: Surfers discover new wave off the west coast of IrelandNews this week of a new 'killer' wave off the west coast of Ireland, had surfers here bristling with excitement. All the more so, as the exact location was being kept secret?. We have our suspicions though, Mullaghmore or Easkey perhaps?
Obviously not for the faint-hearted or amateur, waves like this 'monster prowler' first captured our imagination and respect in a TV advert for a bank, that was released a couple of years ago. The incredible footage, you can watch it at the
link below, featured Irish surfing champions Fergus Smith and John McCarthy, tackling the 80' high Ailies wave beneath the Cliffs of Moher, which are scary enough in their own right.
A remnant of the last ice age, these 600' cliffs have become Ireland's premier visitor attraction with almost a million visitors annually? A new state of the art visitor center The Atlantic Edge Experience not only explains the geological background, flora and fauna using interactive media, but also local history, music and folklore and is an excellent addition, in that it keeps children of all ages informed, amused and entertained, in what could otherwise be a disappointing experience as often the cliffs are shrouded in mists, fog and rain or as a visitor described it recently 'flying weather'.
But if that isn't 'edgy' enough for you there are plenty of surf schools in nearby Lahinch and indeed all along the western seaboard from Cork to Donegal. In fact we might owe our economy in the future to our wonderful coastline on the westernmost tip of Europe and the vagaries of the weather, which has led to Ireland being promoted as a premier surf destination.
But then that is something these cool dudes have known forever.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.Monsoonman | Nov 18, 2010, 07:51 AM EST
OK Susan, contact me at monsoonman@msn.com when you are in the area, the waves are quite large this time of year so anytime through February is usually good. This area is also in the middle of what is known as the red triangle so there are added bonus points for those surfers that get bumped by Mr. White.
SusanByron | Nov 17, 2010, 12:26 PM EST
You are on, Monsoonman, will definitely take you up on that offer! tks Susan
Monsoonman | Nov 16, 2010, 10:55 AM EST
Oh now it's back...never mind. You see it is a tame post, couldn't possibly be offensive to anyone. So I'll add if anyone makes it to this part of the world I would be happy to escort them to see the Mavericks surf action from a good vantage point. You can't drive to it, you must park your car and walk a mile or so to the location.
Monsoonman | Nov 16, 2010, 10:48 AM EST
Why did my innocuous post disappear after being on here for over a day? Niall? Joe? Anyone?
Monsoonman | Nov 15, 2010, 10:59 AM EST
There is a hidden spot off the coast of northern California producing monster waves in the 40-50' category, it is called Mavericks after the surfers dog who both discovered it about 15 years ago. The swells come staight in from storms in Asia and get amplified by a an earthquake made trench that produces these monsters. This time of year they have a surf contest featuring the top surfers in the world. There are a few headstones near the beach commemorating a few who have been killed trying to conquer these waves....it is not a place to learn how to surf. You can hear the waves crashing from miles away.