Adventures in the rugged west

From mountain climbing to canoeing to horse-riding, here are some thrilling activities for the adventurous in Ireland this summer

Hyne is one of the most beautiful spots in West Cork. And Atlantic Sea Kayaking offers a 2.5-hour Lough Hyne Night Kayaking Tour, allowing visitors to take in its beauty and have some fun in the process! The tour is for all abilities, aged 18 and over, and it costs €75pp using double kayaks. All necessary safety and kayaking equipment is provided. Book at atlanticseakayaking.com/ night-tours

 Tubing time

Smugglers Cove in Rosscarbery, Co Cork, is home to Ireland’s first tubing park.

Tubing involves riding on a large, inflatable donut-like ring through a series of downhill routes. At Smugglers Cove, there are four tracks varying from 50 to 100 metres, with the biggest being the ‘Tubby Jump’. This is a steep run into a big kicker where the rider is propelled into the air before landing onto a giant freestyle ski bag! Tubing tickets are €17.50 each, with the minimum age being eight years.

At Smugglers Cove, there’s also Crazy Golf, a golf range, a timber maze and Ireland’s largest corn Maze, which opens at the end of July from 11am until 6pm. The golf range is open until 9pm, seven days a week. Plenty of fun for all the family!

Visit smugglerscove.ie

 Horse-riding on the beach

Horse-riding along the beach is a great way for couples, groups of friends or families to spend the day. Head to Dunfanaghy Stables at Arnold’s Hotel, Dunfanaghy, which is run by Helen and Niamh Mc Daid. They’ll take you along Donegal’s rugged coastline by horseback, as they have access to the beautiful Atlantic beaches. There is a varied selection of horses to suit people with all levels of horse-riding ability. From little Shetland ponies for the tiny tots to Connemara ponies, quiet cobs, and Irish hunters, all of which are sure-footed when crossing the mountain paths and cantering along the beaches. An adult lesson is €35 per hour, a child’s (under 18s) lesson is €30 per hour, and half-hour lessons are €20 for adults and €18 for children.

Visit dunfanaghystables.com

The Great Western Greenway, Co Mayo

Cycle the 42km Great Western Greenway, from Westport to Achill, one of Ireland’s longest off-road cycling and walking trails. The stunning landscapes of the west of Ireland are brought into sharp focus on this scenic trail.

The cycle path winds its way along the coast of Clew Bay, past the beautiful views of Mayo’s mountains, bogs, farmland, and dramatic Atlantic coastline. Just hire a bike at one of the many shops such as Clew Bay Bike Hire (clewbaybikehire.ie), which offers a shuttle service allowing you to cycle only one way. It can be completed in either direction, and of course, you don’t have to complete the entire 42km, as there are a number of entry points onto the Greenway, so you can choose to cycle in smaller sections. The pathway is traffic-free with only occasional hills and plenty of places to stop, so the trek is great for all the family at most fitness levels. How long will it take to complete? The 42km cycle should take 5+ hours to complete depending on the fitness level.

Visit greenway.ie

The North Kerry Way, Co Kerry

This 48km linear walking route takes in the northern part of Kerry, starting in Tralee and ending in the town of Ballyheigue. It offers spectacular seascapes, the finest beaches in Ireland and many ancient sites, churches, and field monuments to walk through.

The route heads out of Tralee and heads northwest along a sea wall at the back of Tralee Bay. From the village of Spa, it