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Landmark Irish wave threatened by proposed harbour development. Register your protest HERE.

For thousands of years the waves breaking on the limestone slabs of Crab Island and Doolin point have been peeling off and spitting tubes. It is only since the early 1970’s that they’ve been ridden by surfers. Since then they have become, along with the Bundoran reefs, the most surfed spots in the country.

They have been on the “must surf” list of any travelling surfers coming to Ireland, from Kevin Naughton’s arrival in the 70’s, to the McNulty brothers virgin surf on their ancestral turf in the 80’s, to Anthony Walsh’s extended stay last winter.

The scenery in the area is spectacular, with the massive cliffs of Moher looming to the south and the geographical uniqueness of the limestone karst region of the Burren to the north. Add in the Aran island chain only a few miles to the northwest and it all comes together to make this spot the iconic postcard surfspot of Ireland.

While being overshadowed in the media lately due to the discovery of heavy spots such as Aileen’s and Riley’s, Crab Island is still a more important surf spot to most of the surfers of Ireland. This is because of the frequency of which it breaks and the fact that it is within the capabilities of all competent surfers. It is the spot most likely to deliver the 'ride of a lifetime' for 90% of Irish surfers.

Main - Crab Island in the foreground and Doolin point to the right. The existing pier can be seen tucked in at the back of the lagoon. The new pier would start at the top of the point and extend out into the channel almost half way to crab island

Insert - Impression showing the island, the existing pier and the new pier. The part in green is concrete revetments, white is the pier itself and blue is an area to be dredged (not really dredging, but blasting limestone rock) to a depth of 2.6m below low water mark..

© GaryMcCall - 2012