Bundoran is the jewel in the crown of the North West with something for everybody – splendid beaches, thrilling outdoor adventure and a wealth of family friendly activities A well-known surfing paradise Bundoran was named in the World’s top 20 surfing resorts by National Geographic in 2012. There are a number of surf schools offering surf and stay packages and courses for novices dreaming of chasing their first wave and the more experienced surfer looking to take on some challenges. However, Bundoran is not just a surfers paradise – it is also a Family Friendly Designated area and the kids will be kept busy with an indoor aqua centre, a cinema, a selection of playgrounds (both indoor and outdoor), a bowling alley and pitch & putt course. Bundoran is also a great base for the lovers of the outdoors. It’s the perfect stop off for cyclists taking on the 326km North West Cycle Trail which weaves its way through counties Donegal, Sligo, Fermanagh, Tyrone and Leitrim. If you are a festival fan, Bundoran won’t disappoint. The Sea Sessions music festival in June attracts top Irish and international bands. There is also a regular country music circuit with top acts playing in one of Bundoran’s many top venues. The town is also a mecca for anglers, walkers and golfers. And if you want to kick back and relax soak up in the seaweed baths in the centre of town.
Today there are over 2.5 million surfers across Europe. You can ride Spanish point breaks as perfect and machine-like as Malibu in California, you can charge thundering Scottish reefs as cylindrical and blue as those of the legendary Pipeline on Hawaii's North Shore, or risk life and limb on the 50ft monsters that rear up out of the depths off Ireland's Atlantic fringe.
Independent, 25 july 2008.
