(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“Killard is a beautiful hidden beach which has some repute for being an alternate when other spots are too big, too crowded, or both. Since the Feb 2014 storms Doughmore cannot take a moderate swell that good (except on the turf bank) so I was hoping to try out Killard...be warned! the reports and predictions for this spot are consistently inaccurate and if it says 3 stars, 1.4m offshore, it will be flat...as it has been on the last 3 occasions I read it would be good. Get local knowledge..It works well on medium tide to high, on a northerly swell which must be over 2m to have any effect. W Clare has a lot of aggressive angry dumpy breaks, and Killard is a lovely alternate, but the reports need to be improved dramatically. On the other hand castle reports are good, Doughmore is almost always bigger than reported here since the change in beach structure..and Lahinch reports are spot on.Be careful, many of the breaks are board-breakers!
[Editor writes: Thanks. I will update. Even so, people make the mistake of thinking we predict the size of breaking waves at the coast. We don't. We just show the size of nearby open water swell. You may need some local knowledge to figure out how different swells (size, angle, period) wind, and tide translate to waves at sheltered spots like Killard. Star rating is only really reliable at places fully open to prevailing swell]”
Ben Quinn from IRELAND - 16 May 2014
Killard Ratings
Overall: 1.0. Based on 2 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 1.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.0(1: Killard is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 1.0(1: Killard is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Clare. 5: the best break in Clare). |
Difficulty Level: 1.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 1.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Killard can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 5.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Killard, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 1.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Killard are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 2.5(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Killard is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Killard requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 1.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 1.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 1.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Killard for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 1.0(1: Camping at Killard is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 1.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Killard is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 1.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 1.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Killard, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 1.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Killard where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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