Mullaghmore Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

First off, I’ve got to be straight with you – the outlook for Mullaghmore is a tough one. It’s a real dedicated reef setup that needs a very specific, big north-west groundswell to get going, and the forecast just isn’t giving us that. The water’s sitting at 61°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, but that’s the only bit of good news from the ocean.

We’re looking at a long, dry spell here. The first week and a half is almost a total write-off. From Saturday the 11th right through to the end of the week on the 19th, we’re stuck with tiny, weak surf. The swell height barely cracks 3 ft and the combined energy is pathetic – mostly two-digit numbers like 110 (weak) and then dropping into the single digits for days. The wind is all over the place, but even when it’s clean and cross-off, there’s just no swell to work with. It’s poor surf conditions, plain and simple.

There’s a real glimmer of hope starting on the 22nd of July, Wednesday. The swell starts to build, with the combined energy climbing to 80 on Wednesday morning and then 94 by the afternoon. It’s still on the small side, around 2 ft to 3 ft, but it’s a step in the right direction. The wind stays cross-on, but it’s light, so it won’t be a total mess.

Then, things get a bit more interesting for the experts. On Thursday the 23rd, we finally see some proper swell. The height pushes up to 4 ft, and the combined energy jumps into three digits at 211 and 216 (moderate). The wind is a moderate cross-on from the WSW and W, so it’ll be choppy, but there’s enough energy for the reef to start working. The swell is from the WNW, which is close to the optimum NW direction, and the period is 9 seconds – decent, but not the long-period groundswell this spot really loves.

The best of the run, and I mean the only real standout, is on the 24th of July, Friday. The swell picks up to 5 ft in the afternoon from the WNW, with a combined energy of 262 (moderate to strong). The wind goes light cross-on and then nearly onshore, but the key here is the size. This is getting into the realm where Mullaghmore starts to show its teeth. At 5 ft, it’s a solid, heavy wave – definitely for experienced surfers only. The 8-second period isn’t ideal, but the energy is there.

Heading into the weekend of the 25th and 26th, the swell stays in the 4 ft to 5 ft range, with the combined energy hitting 460 on the 26th (strong). The problem is the wind turns onshore or cross-on from the W and WNW, mixing things up. The 26th of July, Sunday, has the biggest swell of the forecast at 5 ft, but it’s messy with a moderate cross-on breeze. For a spot this sheltered, that’s a lot of wind on it.

So, to wrap it up: this is a classic case of a spot that needs a very particular kind of swell to fire. The first 11 days are a total blank. The only window that looks even remotely worthwhile is from the 24th of July, Friday, through to the 26th, Sunday. The standout moment is the 24th afternoon with 5 ft of WNW swell. If you’re an expert and you’re desperate, that’s your shot. For everyone else, maybe keep the board in the truck.

Stay salty,
Rusty

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