Dublin Lad thinking of moving to Enniscrone

AskMyChocolate

Any tips? Any pitfalls? Any info?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. (except from StarBelgrade:pac:)

Cheers

Chocolate

CityMan2010

Big move there: Without knowing an awful lot about your circumstances I would suggest a gradual move, maybe to Sligo and then onwards...

Enniscrone, as nice as it is to those that live there, is a small place...not much going on...have you work there? friends or family?...be wise to have made some connections before you turn the key in the door in Dublin for one last time...

EverEvolving

Enniscrone is a nice seaside village, in the summer it is lovely but in the winter it is extremely bleak, it's nice to visit but I couldn't imagine living there. Ballina town is about a 15 minute drive and Sligo is about 45 minutes.

Be careful when picking a house to rent. Quite a few of the houses built recently were designed for holiday homes and are not insulated/built very well. There are a few good restaurants there and the pubs are decent enough too.

Why Enniscrone? Have you work sorted?

starbelgrade

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Any tips? Any pitfalls? Any info?

Any input would be greatly appreciated. (except from StarBelgrade:pac:)

Cheers

Chocolate

Make sure to bring your passport, a shovel & some wellies.

UrbanSea

Are you from the city or country yourself?
As other posters said,Enniscrone is small. I wouldn't advise it for a city fella to move down there if looking for somewhere lively.

Conor Bourke

As per all the other posters, I'd be cautious about moving specifically to Enniscrone purely because it's a bit lifeless for about 8 months out of 12 and it's a bit isolated even for getting taxis etc out of Ballina which would be your nearest spot for a bit of nightlife etc.
Unless you have family or work which would tie you to there specifically I'd look elsewhere. If you're working somewhere in that general area and would like to be near Sligo, Ballisodare could be a good spot. If you're into surf then Ballisodare is ideal as you're between Strandhill and Easkey/Enniscrone.

Give us a few more details and we should be able to help

saywhatyousee

i would recommend strandhill ,rosses point and carney all nice seaside villages and close to sligo too with public transport links aswell if you dont drive

shanec1928

saywhatyousee wrote: »

i would recommend strandhill ,rosses point and carney all nice seaside villages and close to sligo too with public transport links aswell if you dont drive

along with over inflated property prices

Son Of A Vidic

OP - what are you worried about? You'll have less queuing to do, no matter where you go or what you're doing. Less traffic and therefore less incompetent drivers to deal with. Cheaper priced booze which will probably taste better also. All you'll need is a set of wheels and if you got those, then you've nothing to worry about.

dee o gee

Obviously Im going to give a shout out for my own village here, but dromore west is about 10-15 minutes from Enniscrone and pretty much in between Ballina and Sligo town (20-25 mins in either direction). It's on the main road so there'l be no trying to negotiate back roads in bad weather (although the N59 wasn't great at the best of times either :rolleyes:). There's a few pubs, 2 shops, playground for kids.

As long as you drive your grand, but if your planning on relying on public transport and taxis forget about it!

Some info on yourself would help! Any kids, dogs? Are you a long strolls on the beach or nightlife type of person? Enniscrone beach is ok, way too crowded in the height of summer, but once you walk away from the crowds it's nice, there's at least 2 other beaches within driving distance either. There's a swimming pool (great with kids but too shallow really for proper swimming), think there's a gym in there as well.

steph1

There is no problem getting taxis from Ballina to Enniscrone or vice versa. I am a taxi driver and I often get fares out to Enniscrone and I have no problem taking any fares to there. People just need to pre-book a taxi.

AskMyChocolate

Heh gang,
Thanks a million for all the replies. In response to your questions, I was hoping to move to somewhere beside the sea where I could surf. I don't drive so would be relying on public transport, taxis. Are taxis expensive? I will look at Strandhill, Ballisodare etc. Thanks.

Chocolate.

starbelgrade

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Heh gang,
Thanks a million for all the replies. In response to your questions, I was hoping to move to somewhere beside the sea where I could surf. I don't drive so would be relying on public transport, taxis. Are taxis expensive? I will look at Strandhill, Ballisodare etc. Thanks.

Chocolate.

You won't get much surfing done in Ballisodare unless you plan surfing on the river!

And if you don't have a car, I really wouldn't advise moving to Enniscrone. There's plenty of places to rent on the Strandhill side of town. Lots of people surf there - it seems to be a good place for beginners & learners, so it depends on what you're after.

There's also buses out to Strandhill, but I don't know much about them - maybe someone else can help there. I'd advise getting something near enough to town, so you're not reliant on Sligo's "amazing" public transport to get in & out of town for shopping & socialising, then just bus it out to the surf spots when you feel like it.

Plazaman

Definitely would rate Strandhill better over Enniscrone from a public transport point of view. Taxis generally run between €12 and €15 from Sligo to Strandhill but there are 6 or 7 buses per day from Sligo (CLICK HERE) and even if renting/buying in the village, there always something happening year round, a lively spot.

tedshredsonfire

Chocolate go strandhill, surf is more consistant in that where one are may not have waves another could. eniiscrone would leave moe surf options open to you along the coast but you would have to have a car to access them no question.
Strandhill will be a bit more expensive to rent than eniscrone in winter but in summer i guess both would be the same. far more life and access in strandhill. always have the option of thumbing into town from there too if the bus is gone. join the surf club and walk/cycle to surf each day.

westtip

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Heh gang,
Thanks a million for all the replies. In response to your questions, I was hoping to move to somewhere beside the sea where I could surf. I don't drive so would be relying on public transport, taxis. Are taxis expensive? I will look at Strandhill, Ballisodare etc. Thanks.

Chocolate.

Mate, Enniscrone is a great place to live. There is superb surf at the point up by the pier wall, and then there is Easkey just down the road, the beach surfing is a ok but it depends what level you are looking for there is a 27 hole championship golf course, 3 or 4 excellent pubs. Good Dining at Ocean Sands, Diamond Coast hotels, Gilroys bar, and quite excetional pub food at the Pilot bar, there are two very good cafes - the Blue Water and Magumbas there are 3/4 good general food stores a garage, post office, barbers, ladies hairdressers (2) 2 takeaway chips and everything type things, and a superb health/leisure centre at Waterpoint where you also have 3 all weather seven a side pitches and excellent gym and moderate swimming pool sauna, steamroom and jacuzzi (compared with Dublin current offers are 99 euro for three months membership), a pint of guinness in the town is 3.70, lager 4.00 (3.90 in one place I think), its 45 minutes drive from Knock airport, its 45 minutes drive from Collooney for trains to Dublin on the Sligo line or 15 minutes drive from Ballina - where shopping is ok - food shopping it has Lidl Tesco and dunnes. Enniscrone also has one of the best butchers in the West of Ireland, a beauticians, a well stocked and reasonably priced hardware store and dispensing chemist it also has state of the art public health centre which has two GPs two nurses and other social service uses, oh and there is a library and if your house catches fire there is a fire station in the town as well. Enniscrone! check it out on [url]www.enniscrone.com:[/url]) there is also a night club for six months of the year. However my final thought is - about public transport teh bus service is unfortunately not great so that may be your downer.....

steph1

I live in Ballina myself but I think Enniscrone is a lovely place a fantastic beach to walk on and I regularly see surfers when I go up there. Shopping wise it is fine but if you are doing a big shop you would need to go to Ballina or Sligo Town.
Taxi fares from Enniscrone to Ballina are around 20 euro at night and sure if you have four in the car it would be a fiver a head. There is a bus eireann bus from Ballina to Sligo and I think there are a few each day but you should check the bus eireann website.
Is this a permanent move? Maybe you could rent for a while to see if you like the place before making a definite move?

UrbanSea

I'd definitely be of the opinion that I'd rather live in Strandhill. As other's said it's a lovely spot and near town with very good transport in and out.Always something to do aswell.

sligopark

Enniscrone vs Strandhill - I think the argument boils down to the quality of surf, the communities, and whether you want to be close to either Sligo or Ballina.

Son Of A Vidic

Agreeing with my fellow Sligonians OP, I'd recommend Strandhill alright since you haven't got any wheels. Public transport is much better and getting a Taxi from Strandhill to Sligo would be a lot more affordable.

AskMyChocolate

Thanks everyone for all the info. I looked at Strandhill but the rents seem to be higher and I would be limited to about €500-525 p/m. I might be able to find something though.

sligopark

€500 for a room? Houses are available out there for that and less ...

westtip

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all the info. I looked at Strandhill but the rents seem to be higher and I would be limited to about €500-525 p/m. I might be able to find something though.

you will get a great place in Enniscrone for this much. the key question - where are you working? One other thing about Enniscrone - it has good broadband, and oh yes if you have children a state of the art new childcare centre with playschool, a walking club recently started, etc etc.

Conor Bourke

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Thanks everyone for all the info. I looked at Strandhill but the rents seem to be higher and I would be limited to about €500-525 p/m. I might be able to find something though.

Please tell me you're budgeting 500 for a whole house? Is it just you moving or will it be a family move?

CityMan2010

I dont think its amenities versus non-amentities, good surf versus great surf, buses taxis or bicycles, I think the most important thing is the way of life you are happy with...its sorta like the town and country mouse...its more what sort of life your able to adapt to, and will like in the long term.

IMO I would recommend going to Sligo Town/City first of, and that includes NOT going to Ballisodare and Strandhill...make the change gradually.

It takes a long while to settle in somewhere...if you are fully financially self sufficient and are well used to living in small rural areas and are not bothered about an active social life and are just going for the surf, I would say yeah, go to Enniscrone...but I wouldnt want to see the move going "tits up" for ya...

But one thing is for sure, if you can get over the adjustment quickly, I would redcommend that any of the places previously mentioned would be preferable to Dublin, anyways thats only IMO....Good luck with the move..

gugleguy

I have taken holidays in Enniscone. I've been there every year since 1978, with Mammy and Daddy as a six year old nipper - I'm 39 at the end of this month.
Here are the things to bear in mind.
I'd have to robustly agree with UrbanSea.
I've stayed in Enniscrone. In prolonged bad weather. As a techie it can make you quite bored sh*tless, seriously.
Eating out: Limited Range of places to go, in saying that I would single out praise for Áit Eile in particular.

AskMyChocolate

dee o gee wrote: »

Obviously Im going to give a shout out for my own village here, but dromore west is about 10-15 minutes from Enniscrone and pretty much in between Ballina and Sligo town (20-25 mins in either direction). It's on the main road so there'l be no trying to negotiate back roads in bad weather (although the N59 wasn't great at the best of times either :rolleyes:). There's a few pubs, 2 shops, playground for kids.

As long as you drive your grand, but if your planning on relying on public transport and taxis forget about it!

Some info on yourself would help! Any kids, dogs? Are you a long strolls on the beach or nightlife type of person? Enniscrone beach is ok, way too crowded in the height of summer, but once you walk away from the crowds it's nice, there's at least 2 other beaches within driving distance either. There's a swimming pool (great with kids but too shallow really for proper swimming), think there's a gym in there as well.

Is Dromore West close to Ocras Head. It seems to ring a bell from the depths of my memory. Btw everyone, in case ye're wondering why I'm set on Sligo, I spent a lot of my childhood summers in a little place called Ocras Head and they were very happy times.:)

Now who's up for gettin' ****-faced in the Beach Bar?:pac:

EverEvolving

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Is Dromore West close to Ocras Head. It seems to ring a bell from the depths of my memory. Btw everyone, in case ye're wondering why I'm set on Sligo, I spent a lot of my childhood summers in a little place called Ocras Head and they were very happy times.:)

Now who's up for gettin' ****-faced in the Beach Bar?:pac:

Me!!! Used to spend a good bit of time down there when I was younger also, lovely spot, remember some dolphins came close to the shore a few years back and we watched them. Aughris is about 10km from Dromore West so you would need a lift/taxi. I would recommend Sligo over there and I've lived in both.

dee o gee

AskMyChocolate wrote: »

Is Dromore West close to Ocras Head. It seems to ring a bell from the depths of my memory. Btw everyone, in case ye're wondering why I'm set on Sligo, I spent a lot of my childhood summers in a little place called Ocras Head and they were very happy times.:)

Now who's up for gettin' ****-faced in the Beach Bar?:pac:

About 10-15 minute drive, you won't get there by bus. Aughris and dunmoran is lovely, I used to walk the dog there a fair bit. There's another beach called trá bhuí closer to dromore west, I do see a lot of surfers there as well, usually much quieter than dunmoran as it's not as well known.

piddles

Living out Enniscrone/easkey/Dromore west is great. Country living is at especially when it's got the sea on your doorstep.
Its great to get around on if you have a bike...lol
Its a totally different life to Strandhill.... strandhill is busy and townish... out in easkey etc tranquility (sort of).
Tough decision for you to make... however if Aughis head is in your mind... you only live once go for it, even if it's just for 6 months...you'll never know until you've tried it.

AskMyChocolate

dee o gee wrote: »

About 10-15 minute drive, you won't get there by bus. Aughris and dunmoran is lovely, I used to walk the dog there a fair bit. There's another beach called trá bhuí closer to dromore west, I do see a lot of surfers there as well, usually much quieter than dunmoran as it's not as well known.

Yeah, I think it's probably Dunmoran I was thinking of rather than Dromore West. It's a beautiful area. I have a small pension, but am entitled to rent allowance. It would be a little bit less than I am entitled to in Dublin. I'm a single man so, worries about transport wouldn't be as big a concern as they would be for a family man. I think I'm entitled to €74 p/w as best as I know. I would be topping that up by about €30 p/w out of my pension, so I suppose anywhere that would have a small, self-contained flat for somewhere between €400/450 a month would be perfect. I don't know if there's anything like that around. I am looking on Daft and keeping my eyes open.

Even if I don't find anything, I must get out to Sligo soon if only for a day-trip. It holds a lot of fond memories of decent people which have only been endorsed by all the kind replies I've got from everyone in this thread.

Thanks everyone. We'll hit the Beach Bar and the first pint is on me.
Double pints for the first person to catch a pollock angling off the harbour wall.:)

Chocolate