Enniscrone was home to the third annual Wild Atlantic Wag festival on Saturday 18th & Sunday 19th of September. Organised by Tails & Trails’ Karen O’Connor, dog lovers from around Ireland came to Enniscrones shores to take part in doggy events spanning the whole weekend. From SUPping pups to canine competitions, the weekend was jam packed with dog friendly fun.
On Saturday, the pooches took to the Atlantic along with their owners for a SUP session with Harbour SUP & Sail. Beginning at the pier and taking in a tour of the shoreline, the doggies got to enjoy views of Nephin mountain while their owners paddled and took in the views themselves.
All images were taken by Trevor Henry Photography who also took part in the SUPping event.
Sunday marked the Wild Atlantic Wag 5km, 3km & 1.5km walk / run in aid of the RNLI. From huskies to terriers, Frenchies’ to greyhounds’ doggies of all kinds took part in the races. Some pulled their owners along through the sand with gusto while others needed a little more persuasion. Grown-ups and children alike took part in the walk / run, accompanied by their four-legged friends. Participants received goodie bags filled with doggy treats and the much-coveted Irish Sock Society Wild Atlantic Wag socks.
Next came the sandcastle building competition. The doggies helped too, digging and kicking sand to help their families along. The winners were the Rolsten family who aptly created a floppy eared dog. The winners received medals created from recycled plastics and sand as well as vouchers to the Enniscrone staple – Maple Moose. The Ocean Sands Hotel provided dog friendly accommodation as well as refreshments between events.
Tails wagged nervously for what came next, the dog show. Owners introduced their dogs with their name and breed, walking the perimeter of the show space. The camaraderie between owners was striking, the event was, after all, just good fun. When dogs barked at judges the crowd erupted in laughter. When winners were picked, a round of applause spread across the onlookers and participants. Winners took many shapes and sizes. Large huskies, tiny spaniels, and everything in between.
For those doggies who still had energy – the agility course was next. Dogs weaved through tunnels and leapt over bars guided by their owners. It’s safe to say both owners and pups deserved a rest after the day’s events.
The Wild Atlantic Wag brought dog lovers across the country to Enniscrone for a weekend of dog friendly fun. The Wild Atlantic Wag is already promising to be bigger and better in 2022, with planning already underway.
Jog with your dog, bound with your hound or SUP with your pup
If you’re a doggy person make sure you don’t miss this fabulous festival in Enniscrone. You’ll ‘discover Enniscrone’ in a totally new way.
The Wild Atlantic Wag is a festival like no other – it’s a weekend of dog centred fun and activities in the on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th September 2021. The festival centres around a beach canicross race on Sunday and includes SUP with your pup, a fun dog show, dog themed murder mystery tour, dog themed sandcastle competition and lots more. The event is run in aid of the RNLI in Sligo.
Event organiser Karen O’Connor is a dog trainer and behaviour consultant, with a passion for canine fitness. “The inspiration behind the Wild Atlantic Wag festival was to get dogs, and their people, active and having fun”, Karen explains, “There are so many activities you can do with your dog and Enniscrone is just the ideal location for most of them. The whole point of the weekend is for dogs and their owners to be outside having fun and also to promote responsible dog ownership”.
Canicross is a recognised sport consisting of cross country running with a dog attached to you using a hip belt, bungee lead and appropriate harness for the dog. The Wild Atlantic Wag version is on the long, sandy beach at Enniscrone starting at 10am. Some of the country’s top canicrossers, who will be representing Ireland at the world championships in April will be taking part.
There are three distances – 5km, 3km and 1.5km for juniors (under 12). This event is chip timed so prior registration is essential. All entrants will get a goody bag including a bespoke medal, dog treat and specially designed WAG socks. Canicross equipment is recommended but isn’t essential. Some equipment will be available to borrow on the day. Otherwise, you can take part with a handheld lead and collar but no prong collars, choke chains or retractable leads are allowed.
The run will be followed by a pet themed sand art competition and fun Dog Show and K9 Olympics. Events include dog-and-owner races such as an egg and spoon race with a twist – the lead must be held in the same hand as the spoon, and categories such as Best Sausage Catcher for the dogs.
The fun dog show starts at 1pm in The Hollow behind the beach. The classes are a little out of the ordinary with categories including, ‘Waggiest Tail’, ‘Best Mixed Breed’, ‘Best Trick’, ‘Fancy Dress’ and ‘Looks Most Like Their Owner’.
On Saturday, SUP with your pup is the order of the day where dogs and their owners try stand up paddleboarding at Enniscrone Pier with Harbour SUP. Buoyancy aids are essential for both – a limited number of dog life jackets will be available on the day. Sessions must be pre-booked; the first is at 2pm and a second will take place if there is sufficient demand.
Everyone is invited to take part in a murder mystery walk around the village at any point over the weekend. A notorious puppy farmer has been found murdered in Enniscrone, after the pedigree puppies he sold turned out to be mutts. Find the clues around the village to work out who committed the dastardly act and what they used Just get a map and follow the clues to solve the mystery and a tasty ice cream treat at Maple Moose.
Dog friendly accommodation is available in Enniscrone at the Ocean Sands Hotel and several other establishments. Our website www.discoverenniscrone.com will help plan your visit to Enniscrone. Full details of the Wild Atlantic Wag festival are available on Facebook (@tailsandtrailsireland). Early booking is recommended.
Summer 2021 went by in the blink of an eye. With children returning to school in just a couple of short weeks we thought it would be a nice idea to plan an end of summer day out for your little ones. From crazy golf to ice-cream to pony camps we’ve planned a spectacular end to the summer for you and your family.
Crazy golf is a fun filled activity for the whole family. Enniscrones Crazy Golf course features obstacles based on Enniscrone landmarks – from the old Bath House to the infamous Boeing 767. With no bookings necessary and golf balls sanitised after every use, your family can enjoy a safe and fun activity before school re-commences. Visit Enniscrone Playground and Crazy Golf for more info.
The Enniscrone playground is a staple for all parents – holidaymakers and locals alike. Situated right beside Enniscrone beach, nothing beats a good old-fashioned play on the swings, slide, and monkey bars. The playground, open form 10:30am – 6:30pm daily, is also continuously sanitised throughout the day.
Is it really a visit to Enniscrone without a visit to the beach? Pick up your bucket and your spade and have some fun in the sand. Kids (and grown-ups) of all ages love to sit and be creative with Enniscrones sand. You can even ditch the bucket and spade and opt for a more creative sand creation. Everything from whales to dogs have been spotted in the sand on Enniscrone beach – add something of your own and tag us on Instagram – @enniscronesligo. If it’s raining, pop to Waterpoint for dip with the kids. Bookings are required and can be made by calling 096 36999 or emailing bookingswaterpoint@gmail.com.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice-cream so treat your kids to an end of summer treat. Maple Moose offer delicious waffles, crepes, and sundaes as well as unique ice-cream flavours. Gelati, on the other hand, create unique and innovative ice-cream and gelato flavours in house. From Kinder Surprise flavour to the more grown-up Baileys flavour there’s so many to try.
Give your kids (over 5) something to brag about in school with a pony camp in Iceford Stables. The camps take place three times per week and last four and a half hours. The camps allow your children to feed, groom and of course ride the ponies. Riding gear can be supplied so all your child needs is weather appropriate clothing and a packed lunch. Pony camps are a unique end to the summer holidays and are sure to send them back to school with a smile on their face. Find out more by visiting Iceford Stables.
Enniscrone is a great place to visit to treat your kids before school restarts. Some good old-fashioned ice-cream, sandcastles, and playground fun as well as activities like crazy golf and pony camps will make sure summer 2021 is one to remember.
Extend your stay, turn your day out into a staycation with a gorgeous stay in one of the many hotels and B&B’s in Enniscrone. The Ocean Sands Hotel and Diamond Coast Hotel offer various family staycation offers ranging from one to five nights. Both hotels have family facilities including play areas and a kids club so your kids will love every minute of their staycation.
Sometimes a romantic break away is what every couple needs. Time to focus on just each other while exploring somewhere new. Enniscrone is the perfect place for a couples retreat. From sunrise beach yoga to couples seaweed baths – Enniscrone is the best place to re calibrate this autumn.
The perfect romantic break starts with where you stay, choose from beach side hotels to farmland BnB’s or unique Airbnb experiences. Luckily for those seeking a romantic getaway the Diamond Coast and Ocean Sands Hotels have special offers for romantic breaks in September. The Ocean Sands hotel offers a 3 night staycation package while Diamond Coast has their Time For Two Autumn deal. Enniscrone makes it easy for couples to relax and save this September.
What better way to start a romantic day than watching the sun rise over the horizon to dust off the cobwebs. West Coast Wellness offer sunrise yoga classes for everyone from novices to experts. If you’d prefer an evening class, they also offer evening yoga on the beach.
Walk the 5km stretch of golden sand beach in Enniscrone as you and your partner watch the crashing Atlantic waves. Paddle along the shoreline or walk along the cascading sand dunes. Or simply sit and watch the world go by as walkers, surfers and swimmers pass you by. A romantic break really isn’t complete without a visit to the beach.
After a day of exploring have a relaxing couples soak in a Seaweed bath in Kilcullens. The baths have been around for over 100 years and in that time have perfected the art of seaweed baths. The seaweed is collected freshly every day from Enniscrone’s beach before being washed and added to relaxing baths. Kilcullens offer twin room seaweed baths so you and your significant other can relax together in your own private suite.
Of course, we couldn’t forget the incredible food & drink Enniscrone has to offer. Share a candle lit meal, a pizza or award-winning ice-cream. No matter your style, we have you covered here in Enniscrone.
Enniscrone is the perfect place for a romantic break this autumn. From romantic beaches to candle lit meals and everything in between you will enjoy every part of your escape in Enniscrone.
There are few things in this world as exciting as discovering somewhere new. Finding new hobbies, trying new foods and discovering new places to explore are all part of the joy of traveling. Sometimes though, it can be hard to know what to do and how to spend your time. That’s why we’ve planned the perfect day in Enniscrone – complete with beach walks, ice-cream and relaxing baths. All of these activities are tried and tested by the wonderful people of Instagram – so you know the will be a day well spent.
Starting your morning by literally saluting the sun? It doesn’t get better than that. Jenny from West Coast Wellness holds morning classes either on the gorgeous Enniscrone beach or beside the old cliff baths . All you need to bring is a yoga matt / towel and yourself. If you’re lucky you may even see some dolphins starting their day on the shores of Enniscrone too.
The 5km stretch of golden sand beach is probably what first comes to mind for visitors of Enniscrone, and there’s a reason why. The beach is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing stroll, a family picnic, or an invigorating swim. The dunes at Enniscrone beach are a beauty in themselves and are the perfect spot to sit for a while with a book or watch as surfers ride the famous wild Atlantic waves. Panoramic views of Kilalla bay matched with the sounds of crashing waves makes Enniscrone beach an absolute gem. Of course you can also pop to one of Enniscrones shops and buy the old reliable – a bucket and spade – and build some good old fashioned sand castles.
After such a busy morning it’s time to treat yourself. What else would you have at the seaside than some ice-cream? Ennicrone is blessed to have not only one but two ice cream parlours that have unique and tasty flavours which change everyday. If you’d like something different Maple Moose make a whole host of alternatives, from waffles to pizza. Award winning Gelati make ice-cream and sorbet which, like Maple Moose, changes every day. If you’re bringing the kids along for some ice-cream, visit Enniscrones playpark and let the kids play while you relax with your ice-cream.
You simply can’t visit Enniscrone without taking to the waves. Surf lessons are available from North West Surf School and 7th Wave Surf School while SUPing lessons are taught by Harbour Sup & Sail. They provide everything you need including wet suits and surf boards. These companies also run 5 day Surfing or SUPing camps for children which run every week of summer. There’s no better way to discover Enniscrone than from a surfboard.
Now time for a spot of Golf. Enniscrones links Golf Course is over 100 years old and was designed to mould and shape with Enniscrones natural landscape. The 18 hole course takes you through dunes and greenways to provide a challenging but thoroughly enjoyable game. The course is adjacent to Enniscrones beach so crashing waves and sea air are always within walking distance. The onsite clubhouse is an ideal spot for a post match drink too.
After a day as busy as this, you deserve some relaxation. That’s where Kilcullen Seaweed Baths comes in to soothe and relax any aching muscles. The Seaweed Baths, which have been in Enniscrone for over a century, use freshly caught seaweed from the shores of Enniscrone to rejuvenate the skin while the hot water baths and steam cupboards relax and relieve muscle aches and tensions.
Enniscrone is such a beautiful place to spend a day or a few days exploring and relaxing. If you’d like to spend more time in Enniscrone there’s loads of hotels and B&B’s to fit every kind of holiday. Whether you’re exploring for a day or an extended break – there’s always more to Discover in Enniscrone.
For more updates on what’s happening in Enniscrone or to have your images featured, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
Yes, it’s true – you really can do yoga on the beach in Enniscrone. Your Salute to the Sun can actually be a salute to the real, live sun, up there in the sky. Led by Chartered Physiotherapist and yoga teacher Dr. Jenn McKee, the popular classes are suitable for all levels and can be booked individually online. Jenn also runs some specific beginners’ classes – it’s a great place to dip your toe in the water so to speak.
Sunrise Yoga is the class that really captures people’s imagination – welcoming the day in the best possible way on glorious Enniscrone beach. Aficionados say it really sets them up for the day. Classes do run at other times though, so if you’re not the early bird type, you’ll still have options.
Jenn teaches Vinyasa Yoga, characterised by a sequenced series of gentle postures. In fact, it was her work as a physio and a Doctor of Physical Therapy which interested Jenn in yoga. She’d been a keen practitioner herself for years. She found she was increasingly recommending yoga postures to her clients to aid in pain management, injury recovery and prevention. When lockdown came, Jenn used the downtime to pursue her interest and qualify as a yoga teacher. She now combines the classes with her therapy services.
Jenn was brought up in the USA but spent many childhood holidays in Enniscrone and moved here full time two years ago.
Classes are held in several different locations – sometimes on the sandy beach, sometimes on the terrace near Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths. Generally she runs about eight sunrise, morning and evening classes each week. She likes running evening classes to coincide with the full moon for yet another amazing outdoor experience. She also offers private yoga lessons.
Beach yoga classes last an hour and cost €15 each. All you have to bring is yourself and a mat or beach towel. Jenn runs a Facebook group to keep everyone in touch with when classes are running. Contact her for details.
Enniscrone really does have it all!
Discover Enniscrone’s new video, “Sea Side Summer”, launched today, highlights the wonderful variety of water-based activities in the popular Wild Atlantic Way resort. The star attraction is of course the 5 kilometre of safe sandy beach. Enniscrone stands out from the crowd as everything is available right on the spot – just park up the car and see how many beach pursuits you can fit into the day. Families, friends or couples will find just what they need for a fun-filled day on the beach taking full advantage of those wide open spaces.
Here are ten of the best activities to try your hand at:
Surfs up
Bring your own board or take your pick of excellent surf schools who will supply everything you need – boards, wetsuits and tuition. The waves are long, constant and pretty perfect really. Surf camps run all summer for mini-surfers. See if you can keep up with the kids.
Bring your bodyboard
If struggling to stand up on a full size surf board isn’t for you, then bodyboarding is just the ticket. Minimum skill required and maximum fun guaranteed. If that doesn’t put a smile on your face, nothing will.
What’s SUP mate?
Stand Up Paddle boarding, or SUPping, is fun, fun, fun and there’s a good chance you’ll stay dry in the process. It’s easy to learn and so rewarding as you gain a whole new perspective on land and sea. SUPs are available for hire from several companies who will also give tuition or bring you on a watery adventure tour.
Happy paddlers
Sit on kayaks are safe, easy to manoeuvre and a fantastic way to explore as you paddle along. Hire kayaks to take a guided magical mystery tour. Glide over the water and get the thrill of surfing those waves.
Gone fishing
Cast from The Pier or book a spot on The Leah, Donal Kennedy’s sea angling boat and head for deeper waters. Either way, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as catching your own supper – and there’s nothing as delicious as eating it! You might even spot a pod of dolphins showing off their aerial acrobatics.
Take a leap of faith
Are you brave enough to try pier jumping? It’s been a rite of passage for generations of holidaymakers in Enniscrone and it’s lost none of its appeal over the years. For an adrenalin-rush like no other, give it a go this summer.
A dip in the beautiful briny
The safe golden sands of Enniscrone have some of
the most inviting waters in the country for swimmers. From tots to
octogenarians, every generation is represented here, enjoying a dip or doing
some serious strokes. Just stay between the lifeguard flags.
Fly your kite
The high-octane sport of kite-surfing has seen a surge of popularity over the past few years. You do need to bring your own kite-surfer, as rental isn’t currently available.
Canter on the sands
If your dream is cantering through the shallow waters with your horse’s mane streaming in the wind – Enniscrone is where dreams come true. Iceford Stables run beach treks which are the stuff of memories.
Golf … crazy or not
Enniscrone has golf at both ends of the spectrum – there’s crazy golf for the little ones and the world-famous links course for the golfer looking for a real challenge. We’ve cheated a little – you will have to drive to Enniscrone Golf Course, but the links course does come all the way down to the beach. The crazy golf is right by the car park so it couldn’t be more convenient.
That’s not all Enniscrone has to offer – there’s, a playground, and award winning ice cream for a well-earned treat. How about yoga on the beach followed by a luxurious soak at Kilcullen’s Seaweed Baths at The Pier, the finest Edwardian baths you’ll find anywhere.
Enniscrone really is all that’s best in a traditional holiday resort.
