Born to be wild!

surf kayaking, sailing, pier jumping, gorge walking and other activities.

Individuals, families and groups are catered for and options range from a quick hour-long session, to more challenging outings throughout the north-west and its wealth of scenery and wildlife. Choose the option of surf kayaking the glassy waves at Donegal’s unspoilt beaches, or canoeing down tranquil waterways and following archaeological heritage trails. River trips are available for everyone from beginners to experienced paddlers for both young and old. Equipment is provided including kayaks, canoes, wetsuits and all protective clothing, as well as full changing facilities with showers. The adventure doesn’t stop with the activities as they also have a water park at Moville, a big inflatable floating assault course on the Lough Foyle. It is a guaranteed fun day out for adults and kids.

Visit inishadventures.com email info@inishadventures.com, or call (087) 220 2577

 Under the sea

If you’re looking for some wild water activities this summer, then look no further than Wild Water Adventures in Tralee, Co Kerry. They offer weekly youth Sailing Camps from Monday to Friday for 8-18 years, adult dingy sailing classes, coasteering tours, sea kayaking tours, wild swimming tours, open water swimming events, SUP, giant SUP, along with kayak rental. Co-owner John Edwards has spent his life in the water and his knowledge of local swimming areas means he can always find amazing places to swim, no matter what the weather is like.

Put on your wetsuit and find secret swimming spots, jump from cliffs into the sea, swim under sea arches, swim around Fenit Lighthouse, and explore caves in the cliff face. Or go wild and discover secret lakes, hidden coves and forgotten beaches, while relaxing in the crystal-clear waters. Coasteering is off-site on Kerry Head, while the other activities are run from their centre in Fenit, just outside Tralee.

“We are all about having fun on and in the water,” says co-owner Michaela Edwards.

“Our priority is our clients’ safety and we have a high ratio of leaders to clients. We want to deliver the best adventures for our clients with lasting memories.”

Everything is safety-first, as you will be in the hands of the experienced and qualified beach lifeguard guides. They cater for individuals, families, groups, schools, corporate, clubs, hens and stag dos, and all tours are tailored to suit the needs and abilities of each group.

Call (087) 910 1290, email info@wildwateradventures.ie or message them on Facebook at facebook.com/wildwaterKerry

 With a paddle

Explore the beautiful Shannon Blueway by paddleboard with Leitrim Surf Company, who specialise in stand-up paddleboarding and surf experiences. Try a waterway safari, tour the Leitrim coastline, and journey through Ireland’s stunning waterways.

If you have never been paddleboarding before, don’t worry as beginners are catered for, with beginner lessons at Tullaghan Strand so you can see what all the fuss is about. If you’re looking for a starter adventure, paddling in Leitrim can be peaceful as you ramble down the Blueway with your expert guide as you see lakes, canals, rivers, and inlets. For those looking for real exhilaration, there are excursions to fast flowing rivers, waterfalls, and rapids.

Instructor Lee Guckian is a water sports instructor, river rescue technician, and beach lifeguard with 20 years’ experience in outdoor adventure management, so you know you are in safe hands. Call (086) 349 4013 or visit leitrimsurf.ie

Kelleher of The Useless Project speak about how to be more sustainable on your road trip in the west this summer

According to Behaviours & Attitudes research, 56pc of us appreciate nature more since the lockdown, and 46pc are more aware of the environment. Staycations can be an eco-friendly way of taking time off and appreciating your surroundings, as there are ways to limit your CO2 footprint, protect our natural environment, and also save money while supporting local businesses.

According to Geraldine and Taz of The Useless Project, which aims to make sustainability more accessible and appealing for all, trying to live as sustainably as we can is less about individual actions, “It’s more about the influence that each act has the potential to wield,” explains Geraldine. “Individual actions, such as opting for zerowaste produce or going vegan, can influence friends and family, who in turn, can influence their surrounding communities. Before long, these communities can lead to entire societal shifts. Think of it as a very positive pyramid scheme!”

Eco-friendly road trip

Within two years, The Useless Project (formally Sustainable Fashion Dublin) has gone from a side-hustle, to part-time gig, to full-time career, engaging an online community of over 45,000 people. Geraldine had originally been writing for a women’s fashion magazine and started feeling disenfranchised with consumer culture, becoming increasingly aware of the horrors of the fast fashion industry.

At the same time, Taz – a freelance podcaster and charity-shop enthusiast – had been posting on Instagram about her love of charity shopping. She had an idea to host a sustainable fashion event, which Geraldine came across and got involved in. Today, The Useless Project organises events such as flea markets (which are yet to start back after Covid) and provides tips on being sustainable in all aspects of life, including while travelling. And one of their main tips for being more environmentallyfriendly on a road trip in the west of Ireland this summer, is to “bring your own (BYO) as much as you can”.

Taz says, “There is no excuse for single-use water bottles. Get yourself a reusable one, fill it up before you leave, and you’ll save money in the long run.”

She continues, “Always leave a spot as you found it, unless it’s covered in rubbish. In that case, help the local fauna and flora by spending five minutes picking up what you can and disposing of it in the next bin you see. Beach clean-ups are another lovely way to give back to an area you are exploring.”

Geraldine also advises using reusable picnic utensils, when dining al fresco.

“Reusing is always better than recycling, so we’d recommend swapping paper napkins for cloth and opting for BYO cups instead of Styrofoam. Instead of plastic cutlery, bring whatever you use on your kitchen table.”

Sustainability is also about supporting local, and Geraldine and Taz say there are many companies producing high-quality food and drink. “For locally-produced picnic foods, our favourites are: Tola Cheese in Clare, Connemara Smoked Salmon, Booch from All About Kombucha (based in Galway), a few ice-cold bruskies from Galway Bay, and bread and treats from Baker Boys from Sligo Town.”

Green driving

With emissions from road traffic being a source of harmful air pollutants, Taz and Geraldine, who are ambassadors for the allelectric Volkswagen ID.3, recommend fully electric vehicles.

“There are the obvious benefits of no fuel or engine, and therefore none of the tailpipe emissions that fuel produces. Fewer emissions means reduced greenhouse gasses, which is what we really need right now.

“Ireland is especially fortunate when it comes to opting for fully-electric vehicles, as a large percentage of our energy is sourced from renewables such as wind and solar.

Plus, there are many high-speed charging stations around Ireland using 100pc green energy, like IONITY.

“Our Volkswagen ID.3 was also delivered to us with a certified net-carbon neutral balance, so we know that emissions have been reduced or off-set (when reduction is not yet possible) throughout the full manufacturing process.”

Both Geraldine, who is originally from Dublin, and Taz, who hails from Multyfarnham in Mullingar, are excited to explore more of the west in their Volkswagen ID.3 this summer.

Taz says surfing in Sligo is on her bucket list. “I feel like there may be a warrant out for my arrest by admitting that in all my 29 years living on this fair isle, I have never given it a go! But I’m adamant that 2021 is the year.”

Taz adds that she has fond memories of visiting Doolin in Clare when Covid restrictions were lifted in the summer last year, “I spent a couple of glorious days in Doolin, before getting the bus to Galway in order to travel back to Dublin. That bus journey from Doolin to Galway along the stunning flaggy shore is etched into my memory. I blared traditional music in my earphones and took in the expanse of the Atlantic, feeling very proud to be Irish.”

Geraldine says she is looking forward to doing the Greenway from Westport to Achill again, “I also want to visit some of my favourite restaurants and cafés in Galway.

“I love Connemara. I always remember that long bus journey to Achill Island for Irish College in my school days and how mesmerised I was by Connemara. I thought it looked like some magic land straight out of a fairy-tale, and continue to think so every time I visit.”

Keep an eye on theuselessproject.com for more tips and details on when their events are back up-and-running. Follow @theuselessproject on Instagram

Sustainable attractions

Taz and Geraldine recommend some top attractions and activities in the west, with a focus on sustainable practices moderate difficulty, making them suitable for family groups to enjoy. However, all trails start with an ascent, before reaching level ground.

 Cycle the Great Western Greenway in Mayo – Cycling causes virtually no environmental damage and you’ll take in incredible views.

 Windsurfing on Achill Island with Pure Magic – Support a local business while having fun!

 Foraging Wild Atlantic Cultural Tours –These great tours are led by Denis Quinn. Eating wild is a way to eat sustainably, when done responsibly.

 Get a coffee and banana bread from Shells in Sligo’s Strandhill – And watch the surfers catching some waves.

 Visit natural wonders – Some of the most amazing beaches in the world are found in the west of Ireland, with Gurteen Bay being our favourite. Make sure to keep them clean!

 Airbnb tours – Airbnb has a plethora of tours provided by local people, definitely check it out.

 Stay at Madra Rua – This B&B is located on the Wild Atlantic Way and its rooms overlook Trawbreaga Bay and Doagh Island. The breakfast is organic, and they use organic bamboo bed linen and organic cotton towels.

 Experience an eco-retreat – Crann Og Eco Farm is a beautiful farm, offering an Eco Cabin Hideaway on the edge of a gorgeous forest in Galway.

The one-hour Heritage Trail (white trail) is approximately one hour and 15 minutes, taking in the Holy Year Cross, woodland and habitats. The hour-long Monastery Trail is part of an existing monastic trail that runs across the mountain between the Augustinian Abbey of Lissonuffy on the west, and Cloontuskert on the east. The Trim Trail (green trail) takes approximately 45 minutes and the Yellow Loop Walk is about one hour and 15 minutes, providing a full Slieve Bawn experience, taking in its views and the Holy Year Cross. The Orange Loop Walk is approximately one hour and 10 minutes and mainly on forest roads. There is a 10-space car park at the site. Visit visitroscommon.ie/sliabh-bawn-trimtrail or coillte.ie/site/sliabh-bawn-windfarm