Nearby Louisburgh 14 km · Elly Bay 34 km · straight-line distance
When it fills in
No onset time is published for this spot.
The wind
locals call it Atlantic frontal systems
Direction
Character
synoptic
Strength
Direction to shore
Southerlies are the direction to plan around. SE, SSE, S, SSW and SW all get ridden, with SW the main one. The beach fronts Clew Bay to the south, so that quadrant arrives onshore to cross-onshore, though the hills and inlets around the bay bend it and break it up before it reaches the water.No measured angle at the launch has been published.
Forecast
Month by month
- Jan60
- Feb84
- Mar67
- Apr62
- May51
- Jun44
- Jul46
- Aug71
- Sep49
- Oct67
- Nov71
- Dec68
per cent of the month at force 4 or more
- 14Jan8°
- 16Feb8°
- 13Mar9°
- 13Apr10°
- 11May13°
- 12Jun16°
- 11Jul16°
- 13Aug17°
- 12Sep16°
- 14Oct13°
- 14Nov11°
- 15Dec9°
avg knots per month · water °C below · season highlighted
| Month | Force 4+ | Knots | From | Air | Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 60% | 14.1 kt | SW | 6.7°C | 7.6°C |
| Feb | 84% | 15.7 kt | SW | 7.8°C | 8.4°C |
| Mar | 67% | 13.2 kt | SE | 7.4°C | 8.5°C |
| Apr | 62% | 12.8 kt | WSW | 9.3°C | 10.2°C |
| May | 51% | 11.2 kt | SW | 12.3°C | 13.1°C |
| Jun | 44% | 11.5 kt | W | 14.1°C | 15.9°C |
| Jul | 46% | 11.1 kt | W | 14.5°C | 16.4°C |
| Aug | 71% | 13 kt | SW | 15.1°C | 16.6°C |
| Sep | 49% | 11.8 kt | NNW | 14°C | 15.9°C |
| Oct | 67% | 13.5 kt | SW | 11.8°C | 13.3°C |
| Nov | 71% | 13.7 kt | SE | 9.1°C | 11.2°C |
| Dec | 68% | 14.8 kt | WSW | 7°C | 9°C |
modelled
A weather model's cell over this place, not a station on it. Good for comparing places, weaker for one beach.
Modelled from weather reanalysis on a 10–25 km grid (2022-2024), not a ground station: reliable for trade and synoptic winds, understates thermal sea breezes and valley winds. The typical daily max and the direction are columns of the table above, month by month. Highlighted months are the riding season from the spot record.
ERA5 reanalysis grid point (modelled) · Open-Meteo historical weather API — ECMWF ERA5/ERA5-Land reanalysis, not a ground station · 2022-2024
The water
Type
flat tidal bay / sheltered beach
Standing depth
shallow over a big area
Tides
Tidal beach. Low water is the better launch: at high water there is little room to rig and get off, and the shallow riding area moves through the day.
Temperature
14-18°C summer · 8-10°C winter
Wetsuit
4/3 mm or 3/2 mm with boots in late summer; 5/4 mm or 5/3 mm with gloves, boots and hood in late winter
Your level
The scene
What riders come here for
Launch and rules
three ways on to the water, and what each one asks of you
With a school or a boat
1 school names this spot
On your own
Room to launch: Large at the right tide; the usable rigging area at each tide state is unconfirmed.
Somewhere else
Louisburgh, 14 km
Every spot within 40 km is on the map at the top of this page, with its distance under it.
Rescue
Launch
Tidal beach launch at Mulranny, with sand and grass to rig on and several access points. Parking behind the beach and a short walk to the water. Low water gives the most room; high water leaves little.
Space
Large at the right tide; the usable rigging area at each tide state is unconfirmed.
Rules & access
- 2026: the county beach rules for Mulranny keep dogs out of the Blue Flag bathing area between 12:00 and 18:30 in the summer months and allow them on a lead elsewhere on the beach; part of the beach is a car-free zone, and the beach carries a natural sensitive area designation. No kitesurfing zone, permit or seasonal ban is published, so the practical constraint is the lifeguarded swimming area on July and August afternoons.
Access rules drift faster than anything else we hold — check locally, and propose an edit if this has changed.
Rider tips
- Check the tide before you drive; the shallow area and the rigging space both change through the day.
- Plan for southerlies unless a local rider confirms another direction is running cleanly.
- Take the days when the hills line up with the wind, because that is when the shallows are worth the drive.
- Bring cold-water neoprene even in summer: 4/3 mm or 3/2 mm with boots in late summer, 5/4 mm or 5/3 mm with gloves, boots and hood in late winter.
- Keep Achill or Westport as a backup base if the wind does not line up at Mulranny.
- Launch around low water. High tide squeezes the usable beach to almost nothing.
- March to May and September to October are the months that come out best here.
- Lifeguards work 12:00-18:30 daily in July and August; stay clear of the swimming area in those hours.
Getting there
Airport
Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC)
Route
Mulranny is on the N59 on the way to Achill Island; by road from Castlebar it is the R311 then the N59. A car is the practical answer with kit. Buses connect through Castlebar from Ireland West Airport Knock, but the transfer is long and rigid.
Transfer
about 60-90 minutes by car from Ireland West Airport Knock; around 2.5 hours by bus via Castlebar
Cost level
medium
Staying
Guesthouses, hotels and holiday rentals in the village, with more choice in Westport and on Achill.
No-wind days
The Great Western Greenway, Achill Island, Clew Bay, beach walks, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, golf and the Mayo coast road.
Photos
FAQ
Is Mulranny suitable for beginners?
Yes, the shallow flat-water bay suits beginners when wind direction and tide align, though surrounding hills and inlets can affect the wind.
What is the wind like at Mulranny?
Southerly wind is specifically recommended, though the spot is also reported to work in other directions.
Is the tide important at Mulranny?
Yes, the beach is tidal, so water depth and the rideable area change through the day.
What are the main hazards?
Wind funneled by surrounding hills and inlets, tide-driven depth changes, and cold Atlantic water year-round.
Are there kite schools near Mulranny?
Pure Magic Kitesurfing on nearby Achill Island is the closest verified school.
Last updated: August 2026