Riding the Wave of Dreams: Send Our Surf Stars to Rio! Fundraising link: here. Irish Surfing is sending a Junior team to the World Surfing Championships in November. The World Junior Surfing Championship in Rio will see the best young surfers from around the world. Among them are the top 3 girls and boys representing Ireland in both the U16 and U18 categories. What makes this event even more remarkable is that six of these exceptional surfers are proud members of our West Coast Surf Club. This achievement fills our club with immense pride, and we are thrilled to have Katie, James, Odin, Sadie, Conor, and Maria chosen to represent our country on the world stage. These talented young surfers have dedicated countless hours to perfect their skills, battling the waves and cold to become some of the best junior surfers in Ireland. Their journey to Rio is a testament to their unwavering commitment and passion for the sport. They have demonstrated outstanding skills and sportsmanship, making our local community proud. However, the path to Rio isn't without its challenges. The trip to the World Junior Surfing Championship is self-funded, and the costs associated with international competition are significant. Flights, accommodations, transport, and insurance all add up, and these expenses can be a burden for the families of our surfers. This is where we need your support. By contributing to this fundraiser, you become an essential part of this journey. Your donation will go directly to support Katie, James, Odin, Sadie, Conor, and Maria as they represent Ireland with pride and determination. Every contribution counts, no matter the size, and all funds raised will be evenly divided among these exceptional surfers. Together, we can ensure that financial constraints don't stand in the way of their dreams. Let's rally behind Katie, James, Odin, Sadie, Conor, and Maria and get them to Rio! Thank you for your generosity and support! Fundraising link: here.

Clare County Council is in the process of introducing new parking bye-laws for various locations: Kilkee, Lahinch, Doolin, Fanore, Spanish Point, and White Strand. Clare County Council invites your feedback on the draft bye-laws. Submissions and observations can be conveyed via email to trafficteam@clarecoco.ie or in writing to the Administrative Officer at the Transportation Department. The deadline for submitting your input is 4:00pm on August 22nd, 2023. You will find full details about the new plan for parking in Lahinch here.

Councillor Liam Grant expressed his concern over a recent fish kill incident that occurred at the Ballymacraven river near Ennistymon's Falls Hotel. In his Instagram post, he highlighted the poisoning of the river, resulting in the death of hundreds of fish. Taking immediate action, the local Councillor collaborated with environmental organisations and contacted Irish Water to investigate the incident's cause, specifically examining the nearby Ballymacraven water treatment plant for potential links to the incident. His primary objective is to ensure accountability for the culprits and initiate a restoration project to revive the affected ecosystem. Further Reading: RTE.ie Instagram post: Click Here Photograph by: Ruairí Ó Conchúir

The club was formed in August 1970 by a very small group of dedicated surfers: Michael Murphy, Sam McCrum, Brian Cusack,Hugh Milne, Des Deeney, John Wright, Philip Cullen, Gordon Milne, Wally Fogerty. The club received tremendous encouragement from Michael Vaughan, Chairman of the Lahinch Development Assocation and very quickly a club house, changing room and board store was constructed adjacent to the Swimming pool and leisure centre on the prom at Lahinch. Membership grew to 70 in the first 2 years which encouraged the club to arrange local WCSC competitions in Doughmore, Lahinch, Spanish Point which were hugely supported by surfers from the other clubs in the 32 Counties and by many foreign Surfers from USA, Australia, England & Wales. The organisationals skills of the club were very quickly recognised by the Irish Surfing association and, in its first year (Sept 1970) the club arranged the 4th Irish National and International Championships in Lahinch. The club grew from strength to strength and the Irish Junior/ Novice Championship became a permanent feature in Lahinch. WCSC members, Sam McCrum, Wally Fogarty, Brian Cusack proudly represented their club and Country as members of the Irish Surfing team in the European Championships. Sam McCrum represented Ireland 3 years in succession, Jersey 1970, Biarritz 1971 and Lahinch 1972. By now, Lahinch and WCSC had proved time after time its value as a good surfing competition venue which culminated in the Irish Surfing Association decision to hold the European Championships in Lahinch in Sept 1972. The bulk of the local organisation for the competition fell to Brian Cusack, Michael Murphy, Sam McCrum, Hugh Milne and a host of other WCSC members. The event was a "wash out" with 6 inch waves all weekend BUT the 50 European surfers who stayed for the week long surfari, from Lahinch to Rossnowlagh under the management of Sam McCrum, were treated to the best waves & surfing conditions ever seen with Easky operating to perfection at 15 ft with a strong offshore "high on pure beauty". The Europeans in Lahinch were the springboard for the club to flourish . Many new members developed into word class surfers and most weekends were spent touring the surf spots in Cork, Kerry, Clare, Donegal and Sligo. Archive article and images from westcoastsurfclub.com

It has been described as ‘The St Andrews of Ireland’ and many other complimentary titles. Those who know and love the place firmly believe that Lahinch Golf Club doesn’t need comparison with any of the game’s other world class venues. From the infant days back in 1892 up to its 125th anniversary, the Club has stood out on its own merits as a golfing institution like none other. Lahinch Golf Club is renowned for the way the links has retained all of its old virtues. It has benefited from the willingness, over the decades, to move with the times and is now regarded as one of the best and most enjoyable challenges to be found anywhere in the golfing world. The legendary Old Tom Morris set the highest standards for the course from the outset. He was followed by equally celebrated architects Charles ‘Mo’ Gibson and Dr Alister MacKenzie. In more recent times, the expertise of Dr Martin Hawtree ensures its place in the higher echelons of all golf rankings. Lahinch is a remarkable club whose growth, vibrancy and spirit are charted over the 125 Years of Golf at Lahinch. View the 125 Years of Golf Video. View Lahinch Golf Club Website

Lahinch is situated on the west coast of Ireland on the Wild Atlantic Way, 1 hour by car from either Galway or Limerick, 30 minutes from Ennis and 45 minutes from Shannon Airport. Buses leave Ennis and Galway 5 times a day 7 days a week (Bus Eireann route 350). Click here to view the timetable.

Lahinch is best described in the literal translation of its name, “Leath Inis”, or the “Half Island.” This colourful description of the village is borne out by the Atlantic to the west, the Inagh River to the north and the smaller Moy River to the south. The official name, in Irish, is Leacht Ui Chonchubhair, or O’Connor’s Cairn, erected in memory of one of the O’Connor Lords of Corcomroe who was slain by his nephews in 1471. The site of this grave is believed to be at the end of the Main Street. From pre-historic times people have lived here among the sand-hills. There are several earth-forts nearby; the finest one is on the northern side of the hill above the village on the main road to Ennistymon. Lahinch developed from having just a few cabins in the eighteenth century to having a population of over one thousand people in 1835. Lahinch’s popularity and fame depend on two features. First and foremost is the mile-long beach of golden sand stretching along in front of the village, promenade and sand hills. With the growing popularity of sea bathing and the arrival of the West Clare Railway in 1887 people began to arrive in unprecedented numbers. The village’s secondary, but by no means lesser, claim to popularity and fame is its Golf Club. In March 1892 Alexander Shaw, Richard Plummer and a number of officers from the Black Watch Regiment of the British Army went to the west coast of Clare in search of sand dunes that would be suitable for the development of a golf course. They discovered Lahinch and during a second visit in early April, laid out a links golf course. The first game of golf was played at Lahinch on Good Friday 15th April 1892 between Lieutenant William McFarlane of the Black Watch Regiment and William F. McDonnell, a Limerick businessman. H.B.H. in the book “Holiday Haunts of the West Coast of Clare”, wrote of Lahinch in 1891 – “its strand for length, width and evenness is not to be excelled in Ireland. The accommodation is excellent, neat and respectable, and so graduated in size and arrangement as to admit of being let at prices to suit the position and circumstances of all classes.” Gertrude Crowe gives us a description of Lahinch in the “Times Weekly” of 1900 – “Lahinch, a restful picturesque spot on the west coast of Clare, retains much of its primitive old world charm. In the good times, it is celebrated for the assemblage of rank and beauty and fashion who resorted thither for bathing. An 1822 Guide mentions that the neighbouring gentry was in the habit of having warmly contested races on the strand.” In September 1920, in reprisal for the Rineen Ambush, British troops set fire to many buildings in Lahinch, including the local dance hall near the Promenade. Garland Sunday, celebrated on the last Sunday of July, was an important day in Lahinch. The main street was lined with a variety of stalls and attractions. People came from all parts of the county and there were special West Clare excursion trains from Ennis and Kilrush. The closure of the West Clare Railway in 1961 was a blow to Lahinch but it maintained its popularity. A golden sandy beach, spectacular scenery, water sports, good accommodation and varied entertainment are some of the attractions that make it an ideal holiday location. It is also an excellent base for fishing, walking, cycling and pony trekking. Lahinch today is one of Ireland’s foremost family seaside resorts.

The dust has settled and what an amazing week was had in West Clare for the 2019 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Lahinch Golf Club July 3rd– July 7th. It was the first time in the 91 year history of Ireland’s national Open, that it was stages on the shores of County Clare. When Paul McGinley was given the role of Tournament Host he was trying to find a venue for his year and instantly he wanted to bring the tournament to one of Ireland’s best Links courses in Lahinch Golf Club. Paul won the South of Ireland Championship in 1991 which is played annually on the West Clare Links, which the 2014 winning Ryder Cup Captain said was crucial in him making the GB & I Walker Cup team the same year. This spring boarded Paul into the professional game and having a hugely successful playing career. As a Rolex Series event, the prize fund was €6.5 million and attracted one of the best fields assembled in Europe this year with household names such as Jon Rahm, Louis Oosthuizen, Tommy Fleetwood, Padraig Harrington, Tyrell Hatton, Matt Wallace and Ian Poulter to name a few. The players started to arrive on the Sunday, Monday & Tuesday to familiarise themselves with Links golf and the Alastair MacKenzie designed course for the week in store. The Pro-Am signalled the opening of the tournament with the pro’s teeing it up with 3 amateurs. Sports stars such as AP McCoy, Paul O’Connell, Ruby Walsh, Keith Wood, Cian Lynch, Joe Canning, Tomas O’Se, Luke Fitzgerald and Kieran Donaghy as well as celebrities Niall Horan and Jimmy Nesbitt. The event was the final chance for the pros to get one more look at the course before the main event took place on Thursday morning. The tournament itself kicked off with the sun splitting the stones on Thursday morning. On a day with ideal conditions for the World’s best players, the scoring was low and the low round of the day went to Ryder Cup Captain and 3-Time Major winner Padraig Harrington with an exceptional round of 63. The Liscannor road was flooded with spectators on 18 to see the Irishman finish off his round and Padraig received a reception that will long stick in the memories of all in attendance. On Friday the day started out windy and scoring was more challenging than for Round 1. Zander Lombard of South Africa shot a fine round of 67 for a -9 total and held a one-shot lead over Englishman Eddie Pepperell at the halfway stage. Household names Jon Rahm, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Martin Kaymer, Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood and Louis Oosthuizen were in the chasing pack looking to make a move up the leaderboard over the weekend. The round of the day went to Spaniard Jorge Campillo with an exceptional score of 64 in the tougher morning conditions. A damp and cloudy start to Saturday took a little bit of the sting out of the course and with minimal wind the scoring was exceptional. Saturday is typically known as “moving day” and this was most certainly the case on West Clare Links. Robert Rock made his move to the summit of the leaderboard with an exhilarating round of 60 to set the target for the afternoon starters. Such was the quality of the round, Rock was not to be caught and would take a 1 shot lead into the final round. The chasing pack where bunched up behind with Rafa Cabrera Bello, Bernd Weisberger, Eddie Pepperell, Zander Lombard and Jon Rahm all looking to catch the 54 Hole Leader and claim the €1 million on offer for the winner. The fireworks however didn’t stop once play had concluded with 8,000 people enjoying the firework display in the evening on the promenade put on by Clare County Council. You could feel excitement in the air on Sunday and for the first time in Irish Open history we had a sell-out with the 20,000-spectator capacity having been reached. With the field closely bunched, the tournament was anyone’s for the taking and the early mover in the final round was Spaniard Rafa Cabrera Bello. Cabrera Bello played the first 6 Holes in 3 under-par to open up a gap between himself and the chasing pack. However, his fellow country man Jon Rahm, playing a few groups ahead was catching fire and while Rafa and the chasing pack were faltering on the Back Nine as Rahm continued to make birdies. The clubhouse target was set by Rahm at -16 after shooting 62 (-8) in the final round. Rahm was not for catching and ended up winning by 2 shots over Bernd Weisberger and Andy Sullivan. Rahm was full of praise for the Old Course at Lahinch enthusing “I can honestly say, of all the golf courses I have played in the World, this is one of the best”. Two weeks later the island of Ireland hosted the Open Championship in Royal Portrush Golf Club in what was another exciting and historic week for Irish Golf. It was no coincidence six of the Top-10 in the Open Championship had done their homework in Lahinch including Open Champion Shane Lowry prior to playing Royal Portrush hence confirming Paul McGinley’s vision to make Lahinch an ideal preparation for the last Major Championship of the year.