Day 1
Visit Ireland’s number one surfing beach in the bustling seaside village of Strandhill and meet local surf coach and professional bodyboarder Seamus Mc Goldrick who will fill you in on everything you need to know about surfing and Sligo.
Your friendly Sligo Surf Experience surf instructor will guide you to the beach and introduce you to your surfing equipment before showing you how to lie on your board and ‘pop up’ to your feet in one, two or three easy steps.
Breathe in the fresh sea air, feel the wind on your face and sand between your toes during your engaging and exhilarating surf experience. Feel safe surfing in a fun, structured learning environment. Return to shore refreshed and invigorated.
Visit visit award-winning Voya Seaweed baths next door to Sligo Surf Experience surf school and learn all about the theraputic benefits of seaweed from owner and local surf Neil Walton and expert staff. Slip into a hot seaweed bath and relax as you experience a traditional Irish therapy which will invigorate you after your surf experience.
After enjoying your little slice of heaven at Voya, eat in the nearby highly recommended surf themed Stoked Restaurant, which serves excellent world food, tapas style. Afterwards, visit the world-famous Strand Bar downstairs from Stoked Restaurant run by the surfing Byrnes brothers. The Strand has regular live music and traditional Irish music session performed by the many world class musicians who call Sligo home.
Day 2
Visit the Salt and Soul bespoke yoga studio run by Strandhill native and yoga enthusiast Rachael Mulrooney. Wake up tired limbs with an invigorating yoga class in a relaxing, light-filled environment.
Visit the trendy surf cafe Shells Cafe overlooking the Atlantic Ocean at Strandhill Beach for a yogi brunch table filled with housemade granola, fruit salads, greek yoghurt, pastries and a warming drink of your choice.
Return to Sligo Surf Experience surf school where you can build on the surfing skills you learned the day before and enjoy another unforgetable surf experience with Seamus and his expert team.
Finish you day by exploring the Killaspugbrone Looped walk from Strandhill beach to visit the ruins of the ancient site of Killaspugbrone monastery (1 hour). Killaspugbrone was the first Christian site in northwest Ireland and was reputedly founded by St Patrick himself. during a visit to the area in the sixth century. You will walk past world class surf spots, Sligo airport and the islands of Maguinns and Coney Island, which gave its name to its more famous cousin in New York. Enjoy stunning views of Rosses Point, Blackrock light house and the iconic Benbulben and Knocknarea mountains.
Find out for yourself why the Nobel prize winning poet WB Yeats called Sligo the land of heart’s desire.
Strandhill Community Car Park, Shore Road, Strandhill, Sligo
Surf lessons run daily in June, July and August.
Open for surf lessons by appointment from September – May.
Please note that surf bookings are weather dependent.
Try the local cuisine and soak up the athmosphere of the authentic local traditional pubs. Reenergise after your surf sessions at a local bespoke yoga studio, Salt and Soul. Relax in a hot seaweed bath – a traditional Irish organic therapy – and learn all about the theraputic benefits of seaweed.
Hike up iconic Knocknarea Mountain to take in the panoramic view of Coolera Penninsula and the Atlantic Ocean. Visit the 5,000 year old neolithic tomb on the sacred summit of Knocknarea, which according to local legend is the grave of an ancient warrior Queen.
Experience the other activities Adventure Sligo has to offer and explore the area’s scenic looped walks and sample some of the local craft beers in the best local bars where you’ll also experience Sligo’s famous, world class live music scene.
