Kitesurfing on lakes or on the waves, all at your doorstep.
The wind is usually very persistent between 16knts and 25knts. We usually take our 9m2 and have the back-up 6m2 and 12m2 for just in case. It can get quite chilly in winter, but with a 5mm wetsuit, booties and gloves you will be fine. In summer a 3mm will be fine, you can use booties for comfort and for riding in unknown areas.
Below are the spots we kitesurfed until now, but there are so many more still to be discovered…
Dougmakeon Beach or Emlagh (5 min. drive) is the nearest and best sandy beach to kitesurf. Beware of the rock-reef on the south and north side of the beach. Great waves on SW swell and is ideal in NW and SW conditions. The horseshoe shape blocks the beach from wind swell and so you only get clean groundswell waves to kite on. There are two access points in N and S of the beach, so you can launch close depending on where you want to access.
Carrownisky Strand (15 min. drive) is a stunning and scenic 4km long sandy beach in south County Mayo, Ireland. Its vast expanse of sand and great waves has made it a famous surfing beach. Carrowniskey is a very popular surfing beach as it provides one of the only consistent beach breaks in the area. For kitesurfing it can be challenging to get outside of the break, but very rewarding when pulling yourself into one of the sets rolling in. (Please give Surfers ALWAYS right of way!!!).
Bertra Beach (20 min. drive) at Murrisk. The beach is just at the base of Croagh Patrick and accessible via Murrisk village. The beach is a long and narrow arm of land extending into Clew Bay and can be surfed on lee or luv of the strip. Usually good NW on very windy days as it is more scheltered.
Carrowmore Beach (10 min. drive) is a sandy beach just beside Louisburgh. Best wind directions are NW, NE. Usually not a wave spot as it is too sheltered and wind chop can get quite big.
Keel beach (1 1/2 hour drive) situated on Achill Island and it is a fantastic spot for waves. There are quite a number of Surfers and the beach does get crowded, so I usually consider this spot a fail safe, if all other spots are off the charts.
Kitesurfing on lakes
Many Lakes around provide a great way to learn tricks on flat water or just easy for beginners.
Lough Roonah (15 min. drive) is a shallow (max waist deep) and mirror-like lake just off Carrowniskey and Cross strand. Best access is to follow signs direction Cross strand and enter the lake from the south side. You can drive right onto the land next to the lake and launch there.
Doo Lough (25 min. drive) is probably the most exciting kite spots on lakes. The lake is set between Mweelrea Mountain, Sheffrey Mountains and is on the way to Delphi village. There is hardly a more beautiful place to kite while cruising between the islands and with the huge steep mountain hills on either side. On windy days the gorge provides as a wind funnel and winds can get stronger as on the other lakes.
Kite lessons can be booked at Achill Kitesurfing where they offer teaching on Keel lake just next to Keel beach.