FIVE GREAT ACTIVITIES
Mountain-biking dates: Ballyhoura is mountain-biking heaven, with highly-rated international-standard competition facilities (visitballyhoura.com). The trails don't destroy the beautiful forest, with its tall deciduous cover, red squirrels and deer, and nesting hen harriers. Couples going mountain-biking on a date has turned out to be a thing: Kim and Kanye even turned up recently, apparently. visitballyhoura.com
Gorge-walking: Wetsuits, shoes, helmets and gloves on, you pick your way up a river canyon against the flow of the water. Swim in pools, haul yourself up slippery rocks, and swing from overhanging branches as you do so. One of numerous thrills available at Killary Adventure Centre in Connemara. killaryadventure.com
Electric-biking: We've been converted to this way of exploring the Irish countryside. All the fresh-air benefits without the hard work, and you cover more ground.
Stack-climbing: Cnoc na Mara, near Glencolumbkille, Co Donegal, is a 100-metre sea stack in one of the most inaccessible locations in Ireland. Gaining the summit is like being reborn into a world where anything is possible. uniqueascent.ie
Cave-camping: Let the rising tide of the sea seal you in to one of the dry sandy-floored caves at Maghera, Co Donegal. Do it once, and don't be afraid of the descending night. Primal relief comes with daybreak in this magical space.
Donegal coast, Killybegs to Ardara.
FIVE COASTAL WONDERS
Killahoey Beach, Dunfanaghy, Co Donegal: Go horse riding, surfing or take beach exercise with surf school Narosa which holds a "surf fit" class on the strand. narosalife.com
Coral Beach, St Johns Point, Dunkineely, Donegal: At the tip of one of the longest peninsulas in Ireland is a pretty little pink coral beach offering stunning views across Donegal Bay, and as far as Co Sligo. The waters around the lighthouse at St John's Point are very popular with divers.
Old Head, Westport, Co Mayo: Suit up and have helmets at the ready – coasteering at Old Head is not for the faint hearted. Explore caves and woodlands, go rock hopping and be prepared to be physically and mentally challenged as you end your trip with a daunting cliff dive into the roaring Atlantic. adventurewest.ie
Zetland Pier, Adrigole, Cork: Trek through overgrown brambles and apparent dead ends to reach this hidden paradise which exists for only a couple hours either side of low tide and is known only to clued-in locals. Long after the sand is swallowed by turquoise waters, you'll still have the rocks on either side of the tiny inlet to jump in from.
Copper Coast, Co Waterford: Approach its beaches and caves from the water. You don't see half of the amazing views from the road. Experience this impressive stretch of Waterford coast from kayaks, learn some local history while paddling in and out of the caves and tunnels. pureadventure.ie
Cape Clear, Co Cork
FIVE GREAT CAMPING SPOTS
Wild Atlantic Camp, Creeslough, Co Donegal: Between Creeslough and Dunfanaghy, the highlight of this newly opened "glamping" site is its "just for two" cosy wooden pods, fully furnished with lace curtains, rattan chairs and fairylights. wildatlanticcamp.ie
Pure Camping, Querrin, Loop Head, Co Clare: Trea and Kevin Heapes run an ecocampsite outside this small village on Loop Head, where you can pitch your own tent or stay in one of the pre-erected bell tents. purecamping.ie
Cladagh Glen, Co Fermanagh: Pitch your tent by the wooded glen beside the Cladagh river which carves its way from the Marble Arch caves through the limestone rock of this woodland paradise. Follow the walking trail to the scout centre, with toilet, barbecue and campfire facilities. cladaghglen.com
Mongolian Yurt Camping, Cape Clear, Co Cork: Take the 45 minute ferry trip from Baltimore out to Cape Clear, where you can rent a cosy yurt. yurt-holidays-ireland.com
Gorumna Island, Galway, in a Chausson campervan: Connected to the mainland by the Béal an Daingin Bridge, one of our readers' entries made this trip an enviable one. From Omey to Claddaghduff, from Cleggan to Inishbofin – fuchsia laden hedges and deep warm evening swimming at the piers – who needs Greco-Roman shores when island hopping is available here outside our doors?
Skellig Michael, Co Kerry.
Photograph: Getty Images
FIVE LESSER-VISITED ISLANDS
Inistrahull, Co Donegal: Six miles north of Malin Head is a 114 acre deserted island which the last inhabitants left in 1928. Now you'll find ruined dwellings, old field systems, wild deer, eider duck, and a deserted lighthouse. Easily accessible from Malin Head, Bunagee or Portaleen.
Dursey Island, Co Cork: A cable car connects this island off west Cork to the mainland and the journey is as exciting as the island. No shops, pubs or restaurants.
Skellig Michael, Co Kerry: An ancient settlement of beehive cells in stone on a daunting sea stack. Reach it from Port Magee on a ferry which takes only 25 minutes.
Heir Island, Co Cork: Situated in Roaringwater Bay, inhabited but quiet Heir Island is dotted with charming cottages and deserted beaches – perfect for swimming, walking , diving and exploring. Take the ferry from Cunamore Point.
Inishturk Island, Co Mayo: Famous for its picturesque GAA pitch which clings to its shoreline, this is among our most remote inhabited islands. The cliffs rival Co Clare's Moher, the fresh lobster from the community centre is excellent, and the diving is some of the best in Europe. Ferries from Roonagh Quay.
Coole Park, Gort, Co Galway.
Photograph: Getty Images
FIVE WOODLAND WALKS
Coole Park, Gort, Co Galway: See the initials of some of Ireland's finest 20th century artists – Yeats, Synge, Casey – carved into an old copper beech tree on a walk through this vast bluebell carpeted woodland.
Fairymount Farm, Ballingarry, Roscrea, Co Tipperary: Take the Heritage Walk in this organic farmyard setting and let it lead you up a hill through cowslips, hawthorns and the 150-year-old oak wood, until you reach the ancient Crannog on Lough Nahinch. fairymountfarm.com
Dun na Rí, Kingscourt, Co Cavan: A sanctuary for birdsong and wildlife located on the River Cabra, this woodland is of particular interest to birdwatchers, with pheasant, cuckoo, skylark, woodcock, barn owl, mallard, teal, coot and moorhen.
Templemore Town Park, Co Tipperary: Built around a perch-filled lake, this park offers playgrounds and "fairy trails" for the young, and peace under the canopies of mature oak and beech trees for everyone else.
Ballycarton forest, Co Derry: Climb the Ballycarton forest hills on a mountain bike on a clear winter night with a head torch to enjoy unrivalled views of the night sky and the ripple of the Foyle river.
Antrim coast, Co Antrim. Photograph: Getty Images
FIVE REGIONS THAT HAVE IT ALL
Some people like to experience nature and get their adrenalin rush at the same time. Others prefer to get away from all. In these spots, you can do both:
- Carlingford Lough and Cooley peninsula, Co Louth
- Hook Head peninsula, Co Wexford
- Inishowen, Co Donegal
- Loop Head, Co Clare
- Antrim coast, Co Antrim
Night kayaking, Lough Hyne, Co Cork
FIVE WATER-BASED WILD THINGS
Night kayaking, Lough Hyne, Co Cork: Late at night on Lough Hyne, you can look up at a bright, clear Milky Way. Look down, and any movement of your hand or paddle in the water produces a matching Milky Way among the phosphorescent plankton in the water. You can snorkel through the rapids by day, watching various fish, seaweeds, starfish and mussels rushing past you. atlanticseakayaking.com aquaventures.ie
Coasteering: Tog yourself out in wetsuits, boots and helmet and take a guided tour of the rocky shoreline, with some cave exploration and cliff jumping thrown in. Available in Strandhill, Co Sligo; Achill and Clare Island, Co Mayo; Kenmare, Co Kerry; among others. Our videographers tried it in Hook Head, Co Wexford with Shielbaggan Outdoor Education Centre. shielbagganoec.com
Kayak in Cavan: A guided two-hour trip is a marvellous introduction to Lough Oughter. You'll see the landscape and lakescape much as the first human inhabitants might have seen it from the dug-outs that have been found nearby – glittering water, wooded drumlins, pristine atmosphere. cavancanoeing.com
The brand-new Blueway: Be captivated by exotic sea life on this series of marine trails in Mayo and Galway: Killary, Mannin Bay, Inishbofin, Louisburgh and Achill. Each canoe or kayak trail is 10 to 15 kilometres long; the snorkelling trails are one to three kilometres. A series of "taster days" take place on Sundays this summer, including at Killary, Co Galway, tomorrow. blueway.ie
The Clear Lake, Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co Laois: The Clear Lake is about 15 metres in diameter and sits in the middle of a bog off the Gortnameale Eco Trail walk, on top of one of the highest peaks of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. It is known only to locals and tour guides, and it is unknown how deep the lake is, or how it came to be there with no streams or drains running into it.
Derryveagh Mountains, Co. Donegal
FIVE HIGH-ALTITUDE ESCAPES
- Twelve Bens, Co Galway
- Comeragh Mountains, Co Tipperary
- Derryveagh Mountains, Co Donegal
- Slieve Bloom Mountains, Co Laois
- Macgillicuddy Reeks, Co Kerry
Lough Boora Parklands, Co. Offaly
FIVE EASY-ACCESS WILD SPOTS
Lough Boora Parklands, Co Offaly: In a post-industrial site moulded by years of Bord na Móna peat extraction, these extraordinary lands (prairie-like open spaces, brimming with biodiversity) are being rehabilitated. Walking guides, a sculpture trail, 40kms of hiking trails and 14 of bike trails, all make the trip worthwhile. loughbooraparklands.com
Barrow Valley and Blackstairs Mountains, Co Carlow: The river Barrow cuts slowly through the area; nearby is the rugged Mount Leinster, and the Blackstairs Mountains. The five-mile walk or bike ride by the Barrow river has a well maintained path. blackstairsecotrails.ie gowiththeflow.ie
The Comeragh mountains: If solitude defines wilderness, there are few places in Ireland that give you such a good chance of being totally alone within a few minutes of leaving the road as this small mountain range. The very distinctive coums offer a remarkably remote atmosphere. comeraghswild.com
Killarney National Park: You can take a train to Killarney, and walk straight into the national park from the town, and from there walk, or rent bikes or kayaks. Nathan Kingerlee sums up the atmosphere. "Yourself, your kayak, red deer, sea eagles, numerous dotted islands, limestone caves and ancient monastic ruins. This is my favourite place in the world; and you should see the sunsets over Dingle Bay from a kayak on Lough Lein." outdoorsireland.com
Lough Derg: Angling in Lough Derg during the Mayfly season is a must for fishing enthusiasts looking for the wild brown trout which turns up at the beginning of summer. Plus, you can enjoy a variety of watersports and cruising.
Lough Inagh Lodge, Co. Galway
FIVE PLACES TO CALM DOWN AFTER GOING WILD
Lough Inagh Lodge, Co Galway: Beautifully appointed and located fishing lodge and hotel overlooking Lough Inagh, Connemara, Co Galway. Close to the truly wild 12 Bens mountain range, the Blueway, and adventure centres at Killary and Delphi. loughinaghlodgehotel.ie
The Wild Honey Inn, Lisdoonvarna, Co Clare: Informal pub atmosphere but with food said to be approaching Michelin star standard. They have bedooms too. wildhoneyinn.com
Step House Hotel, Borris, Co Carlow: One of the best small hotels in the country, with a restaurant any five-star would be delighted to call their own. A gem, and great for the Barrow Valley. stephousehotel.ie
Talbot Hotel, Belmullet, Co Mayo: Lovely boutique hotel in the middle of Belmullet, one of the most remote parts of Ireland. Hotel and restaurant have become a destination for weddings, hen parties. thetalbothotel.ie
Deebert House, Kilmallock, Co Limerick: The graceful Deebert House B&B is a beautiful building, close to the Ballyhoura region. Next door, The Deebert House Hotel offers more accommodation. deeberthouse.com
Thanks to all the people around the country who contributed to the Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland project over the past 10 weeks. The information contained in these pages was supplied by
Irish Times
readers and our own journalists. Thanks to: Gerarda Arnold, Stephen Bender, Sean Beattie, Shane Bisgood, Rosita Boland, Tim Burke, Kevin James Burns, Ann Campbell, Andy Chapman, Fionn Davenport, David Deighan, Mark Donovan, Kerrie Duffy, Donna Dupuy, Roisin Finlay, Catherine Foy, Sarah Garlick, Conor Goodman, Maria Gkinala, Michael Guilfoyle, Laurence Mackin, Michelle Higgins Conway, Shane Holland, Rebecca Horan, Niamh Kelly, Anne Keegan, Eoghan Kidney, Nathan Kingerlee, Claire Looby, Maura Lyons, Iain Miller, Eoghan McCarthy, Grace McHale, Susan McNamara, Cathal Nolan, Bryan O’Brien, Martin O’Brien, Tom O’Herlihy, Cathal O’Donoghue, Anne O’Shaughnessy, Eoin O’Hagan, Nuala Redmond, Rianne Smith, Dawson Stelfox, Doireann Sweeney, Niamh Towey, Treasa Toye, Lynn Walsh, Joseph Whelan, Paddy Woodworth
