Sligo is one of the world's best spots for surfing.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar today announced €1 million in funding for Ireland's first national surf centre, to be established in Sligo by 2022.
The investment will deliver a facility that will serve as a National Centre of Excellence for Surfing in Ireland and will be a key focal point for activities on the Wild Atlantic Way. The centre will work with local surf schools as well as individuals to further promote the culture of surfing along Ireland's west coast.
The project, which has also been awarded €615,000 funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, announced earlier today, aims to provide a high quality National Surfing Centre of Excellence on a central site along the beach promenade at Strandhill.
According to Fáilte Ireland, "the project will be situated at the Four Winds site on Strandhill promenade and the 500sq.m centre will provide a modern fit-for-purpose centre with sufficient changing, showering and toilet facilities, board and locker storage, gym, off-beach training facility and multi-function meeting room".
Speaking today, An Taoiseach welcomed the funding, saying: “Strandhill is already a very popular destination thanks to its wonderful location, great beaches and of course its secret weapon – the waves that have become so popular with locals and visitors alike.
"So I am delighted to be announcing this significant funding for the development of the new Strandhill Surf Centre, which I have no doubt will make this coastal town even more popular in the years ahead."
