Catering to all tastes

 Bernie’s Cupán Tae, Co Cork livingthesheepsheadway.com/cupan-tae/

When it comes to Ireland’s national drink, you might think of Guinness. But when it comes down to it – it’s always going to be a good cup of tea. So, on your western adventure, why not stop off and enjoy a cuppa at ‘the tea shop at the end of the world’?

What began as a prefab, where owner Bernie served hot drinks and homemade scones to walkers on the Lighthouse Loop Walk at the end of the Sheep’s Head Peninsula, has become legendary. It still has its tasty tea and scones, but is now just as famous for its salmon sandwiches and apple pie. Simple food, done well. And a walk out to the lighthouse with views of the Atlantic Ocean has to be in the cards!

 Dingle Tasting Tour, Co Kerry

Meet the people who produce some of the greatest Irish food. Hear their wonderful stories and experience their passion for their craft.

The little fishing port of Dingle serves up authentic Irish culture and the Dingle Tasting Tour definitely serves some of the world’s best food. Experienced guides will take you through the town of Dingle, visiting a few of the town’s best food and beverage locations. There, you can enjoy authentic, local food and drink, as well as listen to stories of Dingle’s past. Try seafood straight off the boat, then Irish beef from local pastures, or locally crafted gin and beer. Plus, you get exclusive access to tasters from Dingle’s most iconic restaurants and pubs, created especially for the tour. dingletastingtour.ie

 Catch and Cook, Co Kerry

Make the most of your trip to Dingle by catching your own fish! Experience what the Wild Atlantic Way has to offer with its breathtaking scenery and delicious local food. Spend your morning fishing outside the mouth of Dingle Harbour and cooking your catch at Dingle Cookery School. No experience of fishing or cooking is required, and all fishing gear is provided as you are taken through the entire process of fishing and cooking. When you eat your catch of the day, you can feel proud that you worked hard for your meal! This class is dependent on the weather and sea conditions. dinglecookeryschool.com

 The Burren Food Trail, Co Clare burren.ie/taste-the-burren/burren-food-trail/

Eat your way around one of the most beautiful landscapes with the Burren Food Trail. Visit farmer’s markets, cafés, restaurants, and gastropubs dotted across Clare and feel the true passion for food.

You can stop at every establishment, or just dip in and out along the way, and learn about how the local food is produced. Enjoy some of the best food in the west, prepared by talented chefs using the best local ingredients, by ordering the Burren Food Trail Signature Dish at each location. Head off on a self-guided tour and experience local food such as Burren Gold cheese, St Tola Goat Cheese, Burren Smokehouse and Taste the Atlantic, Flaggy Shore Oysters and more. You will never look at food the same way again.

 Surf’s up

The beautiful Fanore Beach in the heart of the Burren, Co Clare, with all its space and uncrowded surf, provides the ideal location for those wanting to learn to surf.

Aloha Surf School offers professional surfing instruction for people of all ages and abilities, with all equipment provided. You’ll learn how to read the ocean with a trained eye, handle rip currents, and how to time and catch waves safely. Lessons range from individual to group and families. To book lessons at Aloha Surf School and for price details, log onto the website, surfschool.ie.

Or, if you’re visiting Lahinch in Clare for your holidays, check out Lahinch Surf School which also offers professional surfing lessons.

Visit surfschool.ie and lahinchsurfschool.com

 ‘It’s the climb’

Perhaps not for the fainthearted, rockclimbing can be a brilliant full-body workout, as well as offer great views. There are plenty of places to go rock-climbing in the west of Ireland, particularly Co Donegal. The county boasts two major Irish mountain ranges, as well as over a thousand kilometres of coastline, one hundred sea stacks, such as Gull Island and Tormore Island, and many diverse climbing locations. Donegal currently plays host to several lifetimes’ worth of world-class rock climbing in some of the most beautiful and unspoilt places in Ireland.

Whether you have tried rock-climbing before and were left wanting more, or are a total beginner, consider a course with Unique Ascent. The company provides taster sessions for beginners and an introduction to rock-climbing course for those who want to learn more. You could also give Tyrolean traverse a go too if you’re feeling really adventurous. This is a method of crossing through free space between two high points on a rope. In rock climbing, a Tyrolean traverse is most often used to gain access to a sea stack and return to the mainland after climbing the stack (pictured above).

Visit uniqueascent.ie

 Fly through the treetops!

Get all the family involved and enjoy the thrills of Zipit Forest Adventures in Lough

Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co Roscommon.

Built in a natural forest setting, Zipit’s fun-packed circuits include zip-lines, swinging logs, cargo nets and rope bridges. Trained instructors are on-site to provide assistance and encouragement, and to help you overcome all the challenges. In Lough Key Forest Park, there’s also a range of water-based activities, cycling tracks, and woodland walks. Prices for online tickets to Zipit are €18 for 7-8-year-olds, €28 for 9-11-year-olds, €32 for 12-14-year-olds, €35 for 15-17-year-olds, and €40 for 18 years and over. To book Zipit, visit zipit.ie/locations/ lough-key

 Starry-eyed surprise

Experience the wonder and serenity of kayaking peacefully under the stars. Lough