Easkey
Easkey, Connacht (County Sligo), Ireland
Sports: Surfing
Best time to go: January–April, September–December
Easkey is a small village on the north coast of County Sligo, west of Sligo town, where the Easkey River reaches the sea beside the ruins of a medieval tower house. Flat limestone reefs lie on both sides of the river mouth. Easkey Right, in front of the castle, is a long and powerful right-hand reef, and Easkey Left, on the other side of the river, is a quality left. Both are regarded among the best reef waves in Ireland.
The main season runs from autumn to spring, when North Atlantic storms send west and north-west swells along the coast; southerly winds blow offshore on this north-facing shore. The reefs are shallow in places, the rocks are sharp, and currents run near the river mouth, so these are waves for intermediate and experienced surfers. The line-up is small and often has a strong local crew. The water is cold, about 9–11 °C in winter and up to 15 °C in late summer, so a 5/4 mm wetsuit with boots, gloves and a hood is usual in winter.
Spots near Easkey
- Strandhill (22 km)
- Mullaghmore (38 km)
- Bundoran (48 km)
- Lahinch (153 km)
- Tiree – Balevullin (278 km)