Strandhill

Strandhill sits on a spit between Sligo Bay and the Ballysadare estuary, with Knocknarea rising directly behind it and a long sand and cobble beach facing the Atlantic. Swimming is prohibited on the main beach and always has been in effect: the shore shelves steeply, there is a powerful undertow, and the red flag is standard - people ignore it and get into trouble every year. What works here is surfing, and the village has built itself around it, with several schools, a consistent break and a season that peaks in autumn and winter rather than summer. The other institution is Voya, a seaweed bathhouse continuing a Sligo tradition that dates to the nineteenth century, where you sit in a hot bath of seawater and freshly cut fucus seaweed. A dune system runs behind the beach, eroding steadily, and a golf links occupies part of it.

History

The development of Strandhill is credited to Benjamin Murrow, who in 1895 bought the undeveloped land from the upper road for £1,760, built a road to the sea for £1,000 and offered plots on either side of it; by 2022 the population was 1,982 (Wikipedia, Strandhill).

Highlights

• The surf break - consistent, with schools operating year-round.
• The seaweed baths - hot seawater and cut seaweed, a Sligo tradition.
• Knocknarea - the flat-topped hill rising directly behind the village.
• The dunes - eroding, with the links course occupying part of them.

When to go

Surf is best September to April; the village is busiest June to August. Lessons run year-round with wetsuits provided.

Before you go

Swimming is not permitted on the main beach - the undertow is severe and people are rescued from it regularly. Erosion has taken parts of the promenade and dunes. Parking is tight on summer weekends.

Nearby

Knocknarea is directly behind; Sligo town and Rosses Point are north-east.

Key facts