Rossnowlagh Surf Lodge

Note: Lessons can be added in the online booking steps. Lessons will start the day after you arrive unless you specify differently. You can also add lessons at a later date by phoning us: +44 20 8144 9950 (UK) or +353 1 482 2828 (Irl & International) or emailing info@surfholidays.com

Please note surf lessons must be booked in advance to allow us organise everything efficiently

If you have your own accommodation and want lessons that is no problem. Just call or email us your details and we will organise everything...

Bundoran Surf Lessons

We have teamed up with Fin McCool Surf School for our lessons, usually on Rossnowlagh beach. The surf school is run by Neil Britton, who has represented Ireland previously and comes from a family of surfing pioneers. His cousin Easkey Britton gives surf lessons in the summer when she is not competing:

Regular Lessons
1 day       2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board      €35
2 days     2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board      €70
3 days     2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board      €90
   
Kids Lessons (Age 8-16)
1 day       2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board      €25
2 days     2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board     €50
3 days     2 hours per day, incl. wetsuit and board      €60

Children Surf Camp (July & August)
Ages 8 - 12 years     
5 days Mon-Fri
3 hours per day Includes all Equipment, Beach Activities and Refreshments      €100

The kids camps is the ideal way to become both proficient in surfing and to receive a sensible education in water safety and environmental care of the ocean. The three hours of the Camp include a daily surf lesson, one hour of general beach activities and refreshments during the day. Once school holidays begin in July, our camp runs Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm. The morning kids camp, with a maximum of 16 places often fills up so we then add another afternoon camp from 2pm to 5pm. If you have a group of more than 6 we can guarantee an afternoon camp if that is preferred.

We provide all equipment. Kids need to bring their swim suits, a towel, a change of clothes suitable for light rain and some sturdy footwear for running about in.

The surf school is fully approved and insured by the ISA (Irish Surfing Association) and they operate a surf shop stocked with most leading brands and items. 

Rental Gear

Its possible to rent surf equipoment at Fin McCools Surf School when you arrive. Approximate costs are:

	Per day	1 hour	3 hours
Board & Wetsuit	€40	€19	€29
Surf board	€27	€17	€17
Bodyboard	€15	€10	€12
Wetsuit	€17	€12	€10

Bundoran Surf

As the Stormriders Surf Guide says “Donegal Bay is one of the few places in Europe to warrant the title ‘a surfer’s paradise’”

Tullan Strand surf beach in Bundoran is one of the most consistent beginner's waves in the country. It is the perfect place to start, and is great for intermediates with a perfect wedge appearing off the cliff.

A few km's north is Rossnowlagh, said to be the first beach ever to be surfed in Ireland back in the 60s. It’s a perfect place for beginners and intermediate surfers to polish their skill. Don’t forget to have a drink in the legendary Surfers Bar before you leave!

In the centre of Bundoran town is The Peak, one of Ireland's best wave. Numerous World and European surfing competitions have been held here, it’s a perfect place to watch the locals rip it up.

40 minutes south of Bundoran, in Sligo, is the surf promenade at Strandhill, a very popular surf beach with surf shops and the famous Strand Bar.

For intermediates and advanced there are countless choices – it’s all about exploring and finding out for yourself. Mullaghmore head is Ireland’s premier big wave spot, made famous when local tow-in surfers caught 50 foot waves. Drive further west in Sligo and you will reach Easkey, home to Ireland’s most famous wave.

Come Surf Europe with us…

From Dublin

Bundoran is a 3hr drive from Dublin. Take the N3. This turns into the new M3 motorway. Drive to Virginia. Bypass Cavan. On to Belturbet, Enniskillen, Ballyshannon, and then Bundoran.

You can also take the N4 from Dublin and travel through Sligo (takes the same time)
Best thing to do is log on to www.aaireland.ie and type in where your leaving from and ‘Bundoran’ and print out the directions.

Airports

Bundoran is 40 minutes from both Sligo and Donegal Airport. It is also close to a variety of other airports mentioned below

Donegal Airport
The Irish Airline Aer Arran fly from Dublin & the UK to Donegal airport www.aerarran.com

Sligo Airport
The Irish Airline Aer Arran fly from Dublin & the UK to Donegal airport www.aerarran.com

Knock Airport, Mayo
Knock airport in Mayo, an hour an a half south from Bundoran has flight to Dublin, the UK and further afield into Austria, Spain and the rest of Europe. The following arilines fly to it
www.ryanair.com
www.bmibaby.com
www.xl.com
www.aerarran.com

City of Derry
The city of Derry airport, an hour and a half drive into Northern Ireland, has flights to London, Dublin, Liverpool, Glasgow, Spain through:
www.ryanair.com
www.ba.com
www.cityofderryairport.com

Car Hire

We have a discount parntership with Hertz: discount car hire

Train and Bus

You can take a Train to Sligo and a bus up to Bundoran. You can also get a bus to Ballyshannon from Dublin and get a connecting bus or taxi on to Bundoran 10 minutes away.

Take a look at www.irishrail.ie and www.buseireann.ie

Don’t forget to explore the area in between your surf sessions.

Bundoran is located on the North West coast of Ireland 50 kms north of Sligo town. The town is an enjoyable location for a night out with a good choice of restaurants and plenty of bars. Spend a night in a snug pub listening to a traditional Irish music session; enjoy some of the countless summer festivals, hit a few balls on the golf course and sit back and enjoy the craic and a pint of Guinness in one of the town's many bars.

The 18 holes links course is right beside Tullan Strand surf beach. There is also a 6 screen cinema in Bundoran.

Rossnowlagh is a few km's north of Bundoran and worth the visit for its cliff top restaurants and bars which look down onto the surf beach. 

Further Afield

The landscape surrounding Bundoran in Donegal and Sligo is lush green. There are many striking hilltops and mountains such as the famous Ben Bulben in Sligo – take a morning trip up it and enjoy the outstanding views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding countryside from the top.

Sligo is an attractive town with good bars and restaurants, theatres, cinema art galleries and delicatessens. Sligo is the largest town in the north-west, with a heritage going back 6,000 years. The rugged landscape and countryside has been immortalized by the famous Irish poet W.B. Yeats and through the paintings of his brother Jack Yeats.

Past through Sligo to Strandhill, not really big enough to be called a town, but its long beach is perfect for surf, and the Bridge Bar serves up tasty food that can be eaten outside in the summer sun. After a day surfing in Strandhill drop in to the Voya organic seaweed baths just off the beach – it is well worth the experience, you will feel incredible afterwards!