By Barry Coughlan
The first of a kind surf center has positioned Strandhill, County Sligo, as a world-class surfing destination that will yield millions of dollars for the county on an annual basis going forward.
Surfing in Ireland was once a closely guarded secret, not widely known to the world of tourism outside of hardy surfing enthusiasts.
But in recent decades, Ireland has won a reputation as a genuine destination for the real enthusiasts, of which there are no less than 23 million around the world.
In 2019 alone, close on four million Americans took part in surfing activities and the global surf industry was valued at over $10 billion.
Going forward, the immediate forecast is that Sligo will benefit to the tune of upwards of $4 million annually as an increased amount of overseas visitors travel to Ireland.
Of course there are more Irish surfing venues such as Inchydoney in County Cork and Ballybunion in Kerry, but the bulk of the visiting surfers will be attracted to the rugged west coast of County Mayo and Sligo, where the latest visitor attraction is situated.
The new National Surf Center has been opened by Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD and Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD, in the company of Cathaoirleach (Chairman) of Sligo County Council, Councillor Gerard Mullaney.
This unique visitor experience, which has been developed by Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Rural and Community Development and Sligo County Council, is Ireland’s first purpose-built surfing facility and will see Strandhill emerge as a world-class surfing destination.
The project received an investment of almost $3 million and aims to attract over 50,000 visitors annually by 2033.
Minister Martin expressed delight at this latest tourism venture coming to fruition.
“I am pleased to officially open Ireland’s flagship National Surf Center today. The investment of $1.4 million by Fáilte Ireland in the National Surf Center will open Strandhill and the surrounding areas to a significant number of new visitors, who want to experience the exceptional surfing culture that this area is known for.
“Fáilte Ireland anticipates the visitors attracted facility and area in general will generate revenue exceeding $€37 million in the Sligo region by 2033, creating new economic opportunities for local communities and indirectly supporting more than 20 jobs annually.
“The center creates a fantastic reason for visitors from at home and abroad to come to Sligo, participate in outdoor activities and spend longer in the region.”
Her comments were embellished by Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys TD who added: “I am delighted to visit Strandhill for what is a landmark occasion for Sligo and the entire North West Region.
“This new state-of-the-art National Surf Center is going to do so much in terms of attracting visitors, supporting adventure tourism and providing a boost to the local economy.
“I’m pleased that my Department was able to support the Surf Center with an investment of over $1.2 million under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund. This Fund is having a transformational impact on towns and villages right across Rural Ireland.
“This particular project is further evidence of the truly positive difference that our five year rural development policy, ‘Our Rural Future’, is having in our communities.
“This fantastic Surf Center will be a key new visitor experience in the region and solidify Sligo’s reputation as a must-visit outdoor adventure destination along the Wild Atlantic Way.”
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland added was also on the podium and commented: “Fáilte Ireland is committed to developing unique visitor experiences and investing in standout attractions, particularly in regional areas.
“The new National Surf Center, which has been developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Sligo County Council and Department of Rural Community Development, is a major new activity tourism amenity that will support the continued development of the activity tourism sector in Sligo.
“The vision of this project is to reach a wide ranging domestic and international audience, from beginners to advanced surfers, by providing a world-class visitor experience and focal point for tourism on the Wild Atlantic Way.
“The new center delivers on Fáilte Ireland’s Opening the Outdoors strategic pillar, supporting our ambition to develop Ireland as an internationally recognized Outdoor Activity destination.”
Sligo County Council, through Councilor Mullaney, expended money to the project too but the area will also be a major beneficiary.
“While already renowned nationally and internationally as a prime surfing destination, Strandhill’s reputation is now further enhanced through the addition of this world-class, first of its kind purpose built surfing facility.
“This investment strengthens County Sligo’s positioning as a key tourism hub along the Wild Atlantic Way. Sligo County Council is delighted to have partnered with Fáilte Ireland and the Department of Rural and Community Development in delivering this unique visitor experience for Sligo.”
The National Surf Center will serve as a key visitor experience on the Wild Atlantic Way with state-of-the-art surfing facilities and breath-taking views of the ocean and surrounding landscape.
Home to three surf schools and the County Sligo Surf Club, it will offer a vast and inclusive program of services to suit every surfer, from novice to more experienced participants.
Overlooking the waterfront, the Center, Strandhill is a purpose-built architectural building, featuring stunning artwork on the front exterior by Donegal artist and surfer, Barry Britton.
The center provides high quality fully serviced changing, shower and locker facilities with extensive ground floor space to be used for surf class training and demonstrations. It also includes a bespoke surf and leisure retail experience along with a large-scale flexible meeting room which is available for hire.