Ireland (west coast)

[Driftingalong]

Hello everybody,

I don't have much time for forums these days, but I was hoping to get some info about Ireland.
I'll going to Ireland from March 1st through the 14th. This will be my first trip there. While it is not just a surf trip (going w/ wife), I plan on bringing boards and surfing for some of the time. I'll probably be spending most of my surfing time up in the Sligo/Donegal/Easkey area. Maybe hitting up Lahinch or Kerry area as well.
Does any one know what the average water temp is for that time of year?
What kinds of boards people are typically riding?
Any areas to watch out for (i.e. expert only; I'm no expert, but I do alright)?
Must surfs / don't miss?

Nice, but relatively inexpensive places to stay?
Must see / do (not surf related)?

And any other info you care to share would be greatly appreciated!

Boards I'm debating on bringing:
6'2" x 21.25" x 2.25" Bing bonzer (3 fin) *dims. are approx. (they were not marked on the board)
6'2" x 18.88" x 3.38" ...Lost SDIII (squash tail, thruster)
6'6" x 19.5" x 2.5" Dahlberg (Swallow tail, thruster)

Thank you so much,
Jason

[kitesurfer]

Must see / do (not surf related)?

Drink guinness, lots of.
Ive been to kerry and brandon bay twice. Once in my van where i camped on the beaches and the other we stayed in a b and b in castle gregory. Can't remember its name but at that time of year i doubt you'll have any trouble finding vacant accomadation.
Defo hire a car and i strongly recomend you take some of the back roads, they are hilariously bad! But very good fun and they take the definition of road to its extreme.
Thick winter steamer, booties, hood and gloves will be essential at that time of year.

KS

[PapaW]

Aside from what I replied with to your PM I can only stress again.. try not to cram too much in.. donegal bay and Mayo North coast alone you could spend weeks exploring let alone geting north or south of there.

As KS says the roads are hillariously bad. its only been the last 10yrs or so that the main road network has been upgraded. If you hug the coastline expect to double the travel time you would think it would take.

[Sillysausage]

cold water...make sure you take a decent suit

[PapaW]

Down to about 9C on the Westcoast... at its lowest (which is round now.)

[Driftingalong]

Thanks for the reply's!


Guinness is definitely on the list (it will be my first non-imported Guinness)!
I do plan to hire a car, too. I guess finding vacancies won't be too hard; I reckon not too many tourist that time of year. It's just that I came across a really good deal on plane tickets.
I'm bringing the boots and gloves. I was hoping to only need my 3/2 O'Neill mutant, but I guess I'm gonna need my 5/4.
Driving should be fun/interesting...I've got to do it from the other side of the car than what I'm used to.



PapaW for some reason I still haven't received your PM. Could you please resend it, or copy in a reply to this post?


Thanks again,
Jason

[kitesurfer]

The back roads of kerry.



Incidentally the ring of kerry is stunning, go on a sunny day and drive around it.



Camping on the beach at brandon bay.



KS

[PapaW]

Humm thats odd. must have been a glitch in the forum cause i deffo sent it.. but its not in sent folder either...

Ah well.

It wet along the lines of 5/4 will be comfortable but people are using there 3/2s with boots and gloves etc . Rivermouths or anything near rivers will be well cold. prob looking at around 4-6C water coming out of them.

Being a sponger I don't really pay much attention to what the stand-ups are riding plus were I surf i'm on me own or with other boogers in most cases. Generally its the same as anywere there are breaks favoured by loggers and ones favoured by toothpicks. I've seen a few thrusters and hybrids about. Couple of the lads up here use quad fin setups around the 6'3 mark on the more punchy breaks.
As for anything to be aware of break wise.. thats up to you to be fair. You know your limits. Just remember the reefs over here pack a fair punch (esp the slabs) most of the more typical reef set-up are fast so have some choice of speed with what board(s) you bring

[PapaW]

As we're bringing out pics... Road wise... if your driving round the inlets watch out they tend to just end in the sea...

and in somecases you can't even see a road!

[Driftingalong]

As we're bringing out pics... Road wise... if your driving round the inlets watch out they tend to just end in the sea...

and in somecases you can't even see a road!

Oh, my...

That second pic is nice...at least there's that sign w/ the car going over the cliff.

[surferdude1313]

Definitely hit up Lahinch it is the place to be! Great left hand point breaks. also you can visit the cliffs of moher when your there. non surfing activity. check out this page of things to do in lahinch that are not surf related. stuff like paint balling the cliffs etc... have goodun

[jaffa1949]

Definitely hit up Lahinch it is the place to be! Great left hand point breaks. also you can visit the cliffs of moher when your there. non surfing activity. check out this page of things to do in lahinch that are not surf related.stuff like paint balling the cliffs etc... have goodun

You blew it several ways, multiple first posts hiding trolling in conversation and anybody that uses Dude as part of their avatar mmm
I'm sure the guys at Lahinche value your services
If you are a beginner and not an O'troll ( Irish branch), Margaret river will be a daunting surf although they will have surf schoolsand a hospital nearby. As dry as Ireland is green. and Noahs instead of banshees.

[noddyinbude]

Hey driftingalong how did you get on in Ireland then, heading over myself next month so any hints or tips of places to go (or avoid) would be well recieved!