A facility being described as the Croke Park of surfing - the new National Surf Centre - has been officially opened in Strandhill, Co Sligo.
Developed at a cost of almost €3 million, it is the first purpose-built surfing facility in the country and is set to be a significant boost to the sport and the local economy.
Seamus McGoldrick runs the Strandhill Surf Experience, one of a number of surf schools now based at the new state-of-the-art facility along with the local County Sligo Surf Club. Gone are the days of changing out of the back of a van, he said.
The new centre has long been a vision of the local community and County Sligo Surf Club.
Club Chairman Luke Saunders said they have been working towards it for years. It will be a great base for local and visiting surfers to hang out - a living, breathing centre where people will share their experience of the ocean, he added.
Rebecca Stevens is Operations Manager at the centre, which includes changing facilities and meeting rooms.
She said it is the first facility dedicated to surfing in the country and will be a focus for training as well as a base to bring in national and international events.
She said its opening today is a testament to the vision of the local community.
The centre was officially opened by Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin and Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys.
The centre was funded by Fáilte Ireland, the Department of Rural and Community Development and Sligo County Council.
Director of Product Development with Fáilte Ireland Orla Carroll said the unique visitor experience aims to attract over 40,000 visitors a year by 2023, rising to 50,000 visitors annually by 2030.
