New €3 million state of the art National Surf Centre opens in Strandhill

The new National Surf Centre, Strandhill, Co. Sligo will be officially opened today, June 29, 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 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 40,000* visitors per year by 2028, rising to over 50,000 visitors annually by 2033.

Speaking at the official opening of the National Surf Centre, Strandhill today, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD, said: 

“I am pleased to officially open Ireland’s flagship National Surf Centre today. The investment of €1.3 million by Fáilte Ireland in the National Surf Centre 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 to the National Surf Centre, Strandhill will generate revenue exceeding €34 million in the Sligo region by 2033, creating new economic opportunities for local communities and indirectly supporting 21 jobs annually. 

"The National Surf Centre, Strandhill 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.”

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland added: 

“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 centre delivers on Fáilte Ireland’s Opening the Outdoors strategic pillar, supporting our ambition to develop Ireland as an internationally recognised Outdoor Activity destination.”

The National Surf Centre, Strandhill 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 programme of services to suit every surfer, from novice to experienced. 

The centre will solidify Sligo’s reputation as a must-visit outdoor adventure destination and provide a premium experience that will extend the surfing and outdoor activity season for visitors to Strandhill and the local surfing community.

Overlooking the waterfront in Strandhill, Co. Sligo, the National Surf Centre, Strandhill is a purpose-built architectural building, featuring stunning artwork on the front exterior by Donegal artist and surfer, Barry Britton. 

The centre 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.