Take a break from the mundane and let your spirits soar with an Irish activity break. From tranquil walks along startlingly beautiful coastline to cycling through lush countryside, there is a range of adventure activities to suit everyone. If water sports are your thing, why not take a surfing or sailing lesson in one of the many sheltered bays. Don’t fancy getting wet? Embark on an equestrian adventure through the rolling forests or gallop on a wind-swept beach. Or why not visit one of the outdoor adventure centres to get your heart pumping? Whatever your choice of Irish holiday activity, we have it covered!
To feel the pulse of a place you have to touch it. There’s simply no better way to do that than by getting grounded and travelling by foot. Ireland offers endless trails, waymarked ways and looped walks for everyone from the hardcore hiker equipped with map and compass to the family out for a stroll with the dog.
If you do opt to engage a local guide, you’ll get a lot more than someone to just show you the way. With each step you take, you’ll be gleaning fascinating details about the region’s flora, fauna, archaeology, history, myths and legends.
Mountain biking If you love to feel the wind in your hair and adrenalin pump through your veins as you fly along, then you will love mountain biking. Even on your first day you can be swooping through trees, splashing through rivers and riding over rock gardens, all with a ridiculous grin plastered on your face.
And when it’s time to rest those weary legs, your guide is likely to be a rich source of information about where you can relax and revive yourself. He/she is likely to know which cosy pub serves the best pint and hosts the best traditional music session and which restaurants will help you to refuel in style.
Perhaps the jewel in the crown is the web of trails at Ballyhoura which weaves across the borders of counties Limerick, Tipperary and Cork. In total there are 98km of tracks including forest road climbs, twisty singletrack and ‘North Shore’ style sections where elevated boardwalks get you over obstacles like rivers and ditches.
Choose from hundreds of looped walks If you love to walk, even when you’re on your holidays you’ll be looking for great routes where you can step it out. Well, look no further. Ranging from short strolls to long hikes, we’ve got more than 200 looped walks at locations across the country. There’s a perfect option for everyone including those with grandparents along for the trip or children in buggies.
If you don’t have your own mountain bike or feel nervous taking to the trails for the first time, don’t worry, help is at hand. There are plenty of providers that can provide advice, bikes, guiding and lessons on the trails.
The great thing about these walks is that they are well signed so really easy to follow. Our website www.discoverireland.ie/ walking gives details on all looped walks; you’ll get a detailed description of the route, including length, what the terrain is like and whether you could tackle it in your runners or should really be in boots with ankle support. You’ll also find details on historical artefacts to look out for or wildlife that might cross your path. Each looped walk comes with a downloadable map that you bring on your trip with you.
information on the area, leaving you free to relax and have a good time.
Now all you need to do is make those sandwiches and fill the flask with some steaming hot tea, and you’re away!
Walking and Hiking
Some local operators and guides have developed their own inspirational routes such as island hopping through Connemara or meandering along the Ring of Kerry. With others, your routes will take you along our fabulous way marked ways like the Burren Way, Connemara Way, Dingle Way, Kerry Way, Sheep’s Head Way or Wicklow Way.
Somewhere to dry your boots, a hearty meal and a warm welcome when you get back from a long day in the hills... these are what great walking holidays are made of. That and fantastic scenery, fresh air and great trails of course.
There’s simply no better way to experience a country than by cycling. Freed from the confines of a car and released into the fresh air, your senses can absorb the sights, sounds and scents of the countryside. Stop to chat with the people you pass, take an impulsive detour and discover a secret sandy strand, or slow down long enough to absorb the local history and culture. Simply put, your bicycle offers you an open invitation to meander and explore, wherever and whenever you please. Happy pedalling!
Some of these great walking locations include:
Cycle touring
The Burren, Co. Clare, Wicklow, Donegal, The Slieve Blooms, The Glen of Aherlow, Co.Tipperary, Connemara, KerryKillarney, Beara & Sheep’s Head Peninsula’s, West Cork and The West Coast Off Shore Islands
If the idea of a cycling holiday tickles your fancy but you would love some help with the organisation, hooking up with a guide or even booking a bespoke cycle touring holiday might make sense for you.
Check out www.discoverireland.ie/walking for further information on great walking locations in Ireland.
There are endless options to suit all levels of cyclist, from those who seek a spin for just a few hours every day to those who fancy travelling from one side of the country to the other.
Likewise, there is literally a hiking trip for every budget, whether you want to treat yourself to gourmet picnics and high-end hotels or if staying in small friendly B&Bs and eating hearty sandwiches for lunch is more your style. For more information on using a walking holiday operator please visit www.discoverireland.ie/walking
Great Walking Locations
Organising your Walking Holiday There are lots of advantages in using local walking operators to help organise your walking holiday. Whether you’re a dab hand with a map and compass and want to navigate your own way, or whether you’d love someone to guide you, they can make your whole break hassle free by planning everything from your accommodation and meals to transferring your luggage and route planning. If you’re travelling solo, it can also be a fantastic option for hooking up with like-minded people.
Cycling and Biking
DID YOU KNOW ...that Killarney National Park is the country’s oldest? Established in 1932, it contains
Many local cycling operators offer assistance with bike rental, route planning, accommodation and luggage transfer. They’ll also provide invaluable tidbits of
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Adventure Activities Water Based You’d never think it but Ireland is the 20th biggest island in the world – boasting roughly 3,171 km of coastline. Add to that more than 950 km of waterways navigable by pleasure craft, uncountable freshwater lakes in the midlands, and rivers that cascade from the mountains which dot the coastline, and what do you have but an overlooked water sports haven. From the high-octane kick of whooshing down your very first wave on a surfboard to mellowing out on water as still as glass in a sea kayak, there is a blissful watery way for just about everyone to spend a day in this country – from the adrenalin junkie to the serenity seeker and from the young to the young at heart.
With Ireland’s 3,171 km-long coastline, ‘kid in a candy store’ is the expression that springs to mind when it comes to sea kayaking. In West Cork there are laidback paddles in sheltered inlets like Rineen or magical midnight jaunts on Lough Hyne, Europe’s first Marine Nature Reserve. These are ideal for beginners or family groups, including grandparents and kids alike. For the more adventurous or experienced, taking in the age-old sea stacks and ethereal caves on Waterford’s Copper Coast or heading on a guided expedition-style overnight trip out to the many offshore islands in Mayo’s Clew Bay might be more the ticket.
Scuba Diving & Snorkling Ireland is a diving and snorkelling paradise boasting great visibility, numerous mysterious wrecks and nutrient-rich water teeming with sea life. Lots of dive schools provide access to the myriad of sites and many offer inexpensive introductory ‘try dives’ to get you started. You can expect to meet cheeky seals that will mimic beginner divers and snorkellers, often nibbling on their fins and playing ‘hide and seek’. Dolphins, migrating basking sharks, porpoises, whales and even leatherback turtles also frequent our Gulf Stream-fed waters. Amateur and professional underwater photographers can capture colourful images of velvet swimming crabs, bloody Henrys, dahlia anemones and a wealth of other species.
With roughly 3,171 km of coastline and more than 80 different species, Ireland offers some of the best sea angling in Europe. Sea fishing is one of the easiest types of fishing to try if you’re a first timer and a licence or permit is not required.
And if your appetite is whetted for more cycling, you can also explore the six looped cycling routes around Achill and Westport (three in each). Bike hire is also available in both towns and you can download route maps or find details on accommodation at www.discoverireland.ie/cycling . You’ll find the area heaving with adventure possibilities.
Skippered sea angling boats or charter boats are licensed to take a maximum of 12 passengers and can be found all around the Irish coastline. Most offer a full day’s fishing at sea and rod hire is available and guiding provided. Local tackle shops can also provide names of local operators. If you are interested in trying your hand at fishing from the shoreline, maps are available to download from the Inland Fisheries Ireland website www.fishinginireland.info/sea
DID YOU KNOW Sheep’s Head cycle way opened in 1996 along a network of old mass, school and
Climbing & Mountaineering
Sure the biggest waves ever surfed in Europe have been ridden on Irish shores over the last few years at spots like Aileens, Mullaghmore and Pampa. But there are also benign beach breaks where a great choice of surf schools means professional tuition and excellent equipment to help you learn everything from the basics to tackling more challenging waves.
These days, the sport of kitesurfing is blooming in Ireland. The skies above our beaches and lagoons are painted with brightly coloured kites, where seasoned enthusiasts hang in the air for an impossibly long time and first-timers hang on for dear life. And many qualified activity providers have popped up to cater to the growing number of converts.
Over millennia, Ireland’s mountains and coasts have been carved by the elements, creating airy peaks, dizzying ridges, narrow gullies and weathered cliffs and crags. Epic sounding place-names tell tales of adventure…Howling Ridge in Kerry’s MacGillycuddy Reeks, Great Gully in the Wicklow Mountains or An Bonnan Bui in Clare.
Many of these Irish Surf Association-approved schools are headed up by some of Ireland’s finest surfers. Many of them have ridden those aforementioned headline-grabbing behemoth waves. And they are just waiting to pass on their impressive wave knowledge to novices.
Windsurfing too is enjoying a massive upswing in popularity. The sport has come a long way since the early days when a beginner would spend weeks frantically ‘uphauling’ the sail, only to topple over backwards when it finally emerged from the water. With modern equipment, a novice can be standing and cruising happily in a few hours, soon to look forward to the thrill of ‘planing’, ‘carve gybing’, ‘water starting’ and hanging out of the powerful sail in a harness.
But you’ll need experience to go it alone as these routes involve proper rock climbing and scrambling (where you’ll need your hands and feet). As well as a map and compass, be sure to know when and how to use ropes and harnesses.
Dotted with lakes, and criss-crossed by weaving rivers and historic canals, this country is a watery paradise for those looking to go with the flow on a cruising holiday. Take your pick from shiny modern cruisers or cosy old-world barges as you experience life in the slow lane for a change. In this extensive region, from Belleek in the west of Fermanagh down to Limerick where the Shannon meets the sea, there is a growing awareness of somewhere very special. Here is a real sense of community shared by many towns and villages, reflecting the gentle pace of the waterways, and the people who are drawn to them.
When you’ve decided where to go and what to do, rest assured that you’ll be well looked after. Wherever you see the get out there sign, you’ll know that you, your soaking wetsuit and your soggy towel are welcome! Accommodation providers that display this sign will also have a drying room for your gear and a secure area for your kayaks and surfboards. They’ll even make your breakfast early or prepare a pack lunch for you if you want to get going early. Some of these adventure hotspots include Lough Derg, Sligo, West Clare, WestCork/Kerry, Achill, Ballyhoura, Westport, Waterford and Connemara.
With our huge network of rivers, loughs and canals and our many famous angling festivals, Ireland is perfect for coarse fishing, whether you’re a competition or pleasure angler.
If your idea of a perfect holiday is the peace and quiet of an angling break, we’ve got some fantastic places for you to visit. First up, you will be treated to great fishing in these spots. But you’ll also find delicious food, lively pubs and welcoming accommodation for when the rods are stowed away. For further information on great angling locations please visit www.discoverireland.ie/ angling While there’s nothing like hooking & cooking your very own ‘catch of the day’, a policy of catch and release fishing is encouraged to safeguard fishing for future generations
DID YOU KNOW In Ireland, there are 3,171 km of coastline, 14,000 km of riverbank, 200,000 hectares of lake and almost 100 species of fresh and saltwater fish to test your angling skills!
Off-Road Driving, Quad Biking, Go-Karting and More If it’s rally driving that lights your fire, you’ll be well catered for at Monaghan’s Rally School Ireland and for those who are more into motor racing, check out Mondello Park. All levels of expertise are catered for, from the Sunday driver to the budding bat out of hell! If this all sounds a bit hard core, you might prefer to have a go at go-karting or even quad biking and off-road buggying, where you can experience the rough and tumble that comes hand in hand with tight corners, varied terrain and muddy ditches. You can try these activities all over the country, from Donegal to Wexford and Limerick to Louth. For more information on adventure activities please visit www.discoverireland.ie/adventure
For more information on adventure holidays in Ireland please visit www.discoverireland.ie/adventure
Taking to the trail
Equestrian Activities
Whatever your idea of adventure is, we think we’ve got the perfect activity lined up. If you’ve a head for heights, we challenge you to go skydiving, bungee jumping or mountaineering. Not for the fainthearted but memories are made from such adrenalin-fuelled antics! If, on the other hand, you like to keep your two feet well and truly on terra firma, what about some paintballing or clay pigeon shooting? And for those who like to sit back and enjoy the ride, do you fancy a go at off-road driving or go-karting?
Known as ‘the Land of the Horse’, Ireland boasts some of the best riding breaks you could wish for. Whether you are an accomplished rider or are more blessed with enthusiasm than technique, there are mounts and options to suit you. Choose from beach rides where you could gallop down an empty strand, post-to-post treks which will explore the finest local scenery or cross-country routes that will challenge your skills. Whichever you pick, one thing is for sure – you’ll end the day on a fresh air high and with a smile on your face!
Adventure Racing
Beach Riding
Land Based
The elation of riding along a beach in Ireland is truly unparalleled. Hard packed sand provides a wonderful flat surface for horses to stretch out at full speed with no danger of holes. There are few things in life more exhilarating than a brisk gallop on the beach next to the waves breaking beside you, salt spray flying and the feeling of a horse’s powerful shoulders moving beneath you.
If you’re game enough to sign up for an adventure race, you can look forward to running/hiking off road, cycling and kayaking. But lots of other challenges like navigation, abseiling, swimming, shooting or even horse riding might just be thrown into the mix too. Races often take place amidst Ireland’s most stunning scenery – but there are urban events too. Some of Ireland’s best-known races include Gaelforce West, the Wicklow Adventure Race, Achill Roar, the Dingle Adventure Race in Kerry, Motivate Challenge in Co. Kildare, the Connemara Adventure Challenge, the Connemara Rough Diamond, Gaelforce North and Sea2Summit in Westport.
Coarse Fishing
Game Angling
Sea Angling
Bike Hire is available at Westport, Mulranny & Achill so even if you don’t have your own bike there’s no excuse!
If you’ve got water sports adventures on your mind, the destinations listed below offer endless choice – from wake boarding to windsurfing and sea kayaking to surfing.
On the big lakes, it is especially recommended to hire a ghillie/guide for safe and successful boat fishing. Most guides also have rods for hire. Local tackle shops are an excellent source of advice and help. Pike fishing is available all year round but the best time of year is from September to April. Check out www.fishinginireland.info/pike for further information.
Great Angling Locations
Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
Cruising Ireland’s Waterways
Compiled and published by Ordnance Survey Ireland, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8, Ireland. The inclusion of parts or all of Northern Ireland is by permission of the Land & Property Services who retain copyright in the data used. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Ordnance Survey Ireland, Government of Ireland and Crown copyright. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. © Ordnance Survey Ireland 2011. © Crown Copyright and Database Right 2011 Arna thiomsú agus arna fhoilsiú ag Suirbhéireacht Ordanáis Éireann, Páirc an Fhoinnuisce, Baile Átha Cliath 8, Éire. Áirítear Tuaisceart Éireann uile nó cuid de, le cead na Seirbhísí Talún agus Maoine, ar leo cópcheart na sonraí a úsáidtear. Sáraíonn atáirgeadh neamhúdaraithe cóipcheart Shuirbhéireacht Ordanáis Éireann, Rialtas na hÉireann agus na Corónach. Gach cead ar cosnamh. Ní ceadmhach aon chuid den fhoilseachán seo a chóipeáil, a atáirgeadh nó a tharchur in aon fhoirm ná ar aon bhealach gan cead i scríbhinn roimh ré ó úinéirí an chóipchirt. © Suirbhéireacht Ordanáis Éireann 2011. © Crown Copyright and Database Rights 2011. Printed by Scotprint.
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Travelling this greenway, you’ll be surrounded by idyllic countryside. This is a chance to drink in the view of the spectacular Nephin Mountains and across Clew Bay to Croagh Patrick. You could even stop off for a hike on the Lettermaghera Loop walk. Or if you’re a history buff you can visit fascinating gems like the seven-arch bridge over the Black Oak and Bunnahoona rivers, Grace O’Malley’s Rockfleet Castle and a 15th century Dominican Abbey.
Adventure Hotspots
The majestic and hard fighting pike are found predominantly in rivers and lakes of the midlands and Lakelands and can be fished from the shoreline or from a boat. Pike fishing in Ireland is generally free with the exception of a few fisheries.
Game angling is an umbrella term used to cover salmon, sea trout and brown trout angling. Ireland has an abundance of rivers flowing to the sea containing salmon, sea trout and brown trout. There are also numerous loughs (lakes). As with all types of fishing, the local tackle shop can provide you with the help and advice you need to get started check out www.fishinginireland.info
Surfing
And don’t worry, it’s not that cold! Thanks to modern wetsuit technology, the warming effects of the Gulf Stream current, and the adrenalin that will course through your veins, you’ll barely feel a chill as you harness the magic that the ocean has to offer.
Every care has been taken to ensure accuracy in the compilation of this brochure. Fáilte Ireland cannot, however, accept responsibility for errors or omissions, but where such are brought to our attention, future publications will be amended accordingly. Some sporting activities may by their nature be hazardous and involve risk. It is recommended in such cases to take out personal accident insurance. While most operators would have public liability insurance, it is desirable to check with the establishment or operator concerned as to the level of cover carried. © Fáilte Ireland. Published by Fáilte Ireland.
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The Great Western Greenway Escape the bustle of urban life on the Great Western Greenway, the longest off-road cycling and walking trail in Ireland. From Westport to Achill running through Newport and Mulranny this 47 km long off road cycling and walking trail is ideal for getting out on a bike for a spin or stretching your legs.
Angling Activities
protected area.
native red deer.
Whether it’s lazy hazy days of river excursions in Canadian canoes, voyaging over the big blue in a sea kayak, or bubbling and bouncing rides on a white-water river, you’ve come to the right place if your idea of fun is travelling by paddle power.
Then you’ll be ready to hit the road in style again the next day.
Pike Angling
Visit www.fisheriesireland.ie to get the most up-todate information on recent catches, bait and tackle shops, maps, regulations and a whole lot more. With the wealth of detail this easy-to-use website offers, you’ll have your trip planned from start to finish in no time. Browse www.fishinginireland.info/coarse for information on hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. And if you’re looking for inspiration on other things to do and see when you’ve put your rod away for the day, you’ll find plenty of ideas here too.
And when the day’s pedalling is done and it’s time to rest those weary legs, your cycle touring company will make sure you find the best place to relax and revive yourself by suggesting great restaurants, pubs and accommodation.
fishermen’s trails and won the 2009 European Destination of Excellence Award as a
the largest area of native oak woodland in Ireland and our only remaining herd of
Kayaking
For lots more information on cycling in Ireland please visit www.discoverireland.ie/cycling
So you like to spend time in the great outdoors taking in the fresh air and beautiful scenery but you also like a challenge. Then why not try your hand at catching a fish? Getting started is easier than you might think. If you’ve never fished before and you don’t know where to start, check out www.fishinginireland.info or drop into the local tackle shop. There is an excellent network of tackle shops around Ireland in the towns and villages of the main fishing locations. Tackle shops are operated by local, knowledgeable staff and can offer lots of advice, including boat hire, guides/ghillies and tackle hire. Ireland has a diverse range of angling from pike, coarse and sea angling to trout and salmon. Before embarking on your fishing adventure, please ensure you are aware of the regulations relating to each particular type of fishing.
DID YOU KNOW ...that Ireland was first solo circumnavigated by Kerry man Tom Daly back in 1979? ...the Shannon is the longest River in both Ireland & Britain, combined with the River Erne – it’s the longest inland cruising system in Europe!
With a variety of different levels and capabilities catered for, you can opt for a gentle walk along the ebbing shoreline or vigorous gallop on the wet sand. Considering Ireland boasts some of the longest and most scenic beaches in the world, this is the ideal place to truly let go on horseback.
With some of the most amazing and unspoilt tracks in the world, it’s no wonder that Ireland has become particularly famous for its horse trekking. There are loads of options to suit every type of rider, from short children’s rides to whole days spent in the saddle. For many, there is simply no better way to relax and absorb the breathtaking scenery. You’ll also benefit from picking up some additional horse riding skills and meeting new friends along the way. With a pace that is generally slow trekking is an ideal equestrian pursuit for even the most inexperienced of riders. Generally peaceful and scenic, trekking is one of the most pleasurable ways to spend a tranquil few hours with an equine partner.
The thrill of cross country Combining speed, agility and precision, cross country riding is the ultimate sport for any equestrian adrenaline junky. Tackle banks, water obstacles, drops and wooden logs as you negotiate your way around one of Ireland’s many excellent cross country courses. For more advanced riders, there is usually the option to bring your own horse and whizz around at your leisure. Or if you fancy improving your skills, you could treat yourself to a cross country lesson. A qualified instructor will help you tackle the obstacles, one by one, building your confidence as you go. Cross country riding in Ireland is a thoroughly rewarding holiday with a difference. It’s an opportunity to look back and say you did something testing, inspiring and fun. For more information on Horse Riding in Ireland please visit www.discoverireland.ie/ equestrian
DID YOU KNOW Famous Irish racehorse Shergar won the 1981 Epsom Derby by a record 10 lengths, the longest winning margin in the race’s 226-year history. Unfortunately his most famous legacy was the mystery surrounding his kidnapping by masked gunmen. Despite an extensive investigation, the horse was never seen again.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES MAP