You can catch a bird’s eye view from on high, take a hike through hills and vales, chase freedom on two wheels, or maybe a cruise will float your boat. It’s all there to discover.
There’s adventure aplenty, from surfing a wave along the Wild Atlantic Way (where you can also climb the Reek) to hiking the boreens and back roads.
Find relaxation within the natural rural beauty of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, where the lattice of land and water trails includes an abundance of activities and attractions, including the Beara Breifne Way and the river Shannon.
Along Ireland’s Ancient East are dramatically located lighthouses, ancient rocks to climb and neolithic structures older than the pyramids. You can follow in the footsteps of the Vikings, and the nation’s capital contains a wealth of activities and excursions along the Dublin coastal trail, within the surrounding mountains and all across the city.
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Here’s 12 to try.
Natural highs
Beyond the Trees Avondale at Avondale Forest Park, located near Rathdrum, is a fully wheelchair accessible 1.4km treetop walk that takes you up to a 38m viewing tower, high amid the eucalyptus, larch and giant redwoods. Look out over the forest canopy to a 360-degree panorama of one of the lushest parts of the country. The gentle gradient allows you ascend at a leisurely pace, before hopping on a giant slide to whiz back down.
Climb to the top of the world
The Reek, as Co Mayo’s holy mountain Crough Patrick is affectionally known, stands tall as a ship’s prow guarding the entrance to Clew Bay. Standing 765 metres high, the Reek has been a place of pilgrimage since at least the fifth century, when it is said that our patron St Patrick spent 40 days fasting at its zenith. It’s a tough climb across shale and it is advisable to bring wind and waterproofs as well as a stick to help you make the ascent but the reward is the panoramic view from its plateau top. On a clear day it is a wonder to behold with sea below stretching out as far as the eye can see. The vista is framed to the north by the Nephin mountain range with the wilderness of Connemara to the south. You can also see the bay’s many islands.
discoverireland.ie/mayo/crough-patrick
Soak up the magical peace of Clonmacnoise, the sixth-century monastery founded on the banks of the Shannon that became a great seat of learning, trade and craftsmanship, as well as the site of some pretty unpeaceful raids by Vikings and others. Visitors can explore ruins of its cathedral, round towers, high crosses and churches, with hundreds of ornate early Christian grave slabs.
heritageireland.ie/places-to-visit/clonmacnoise/
Wheely cool
Get the adrenaline pumping at Glencullen Adventure Park, set in the Dublin mountains almost at the Wicklow border. Take your pick from 16 downhill trails ranging in technical difficulty from intermediate to full-on pro. Full suspension bikes can be rented on site and full-face helmet, elbow and knee pads are included in the price. And if you don’t want to do the uphill part, a fleet of vans provide an optional extra of a speedy uplift service too.
In Wicklow, Killruddery might get all the fame, thanks to its starring role in TV series such as The Tudors, but Belmont Demesne, right next door, is a star in its own right. It offers a wonderful network of paths and walkways, including terrific cycle paths through fields and forest. Bring your own bike and go free or call into Fatbike Adventures to sort you out with wheels, including electric ones, so that multigenerational groups can enjoy a spin together.
Clew Bay Bike trail is the first looped cycle experience of Clew Bay in Co Mayo, taking in both Achill and Clare islands. It’s just over 100km in all, 14km of which are on ferries, so you can take a breather. This new way to explore the Wild Atlantic Way passes some of the country’s most beautiful coastal scenery and through towns such as Westport, Newport and Mulranny, with mighty Croagh Patrick all the while monitoring your progress. Bicycles, including electric options, can be hired at several points along the trail.
The life aquatic
Rub a dub dub, how about a cruise in a tub? A great new addition to Lough Ree this year is the Hot Tub Boat, giving up to six visitors at a time a chance to get out on the water while sitting in it. With cool views, warm water and BYOB (there are coolers on board) what’s not to love? There’s a great sound system on board the Afterglow to play all your favourite tunes.
For wibbly wobbly fun on the water, don’t miss Wibit Wipeout Aquapark in Co Waterford. More than a tongue twister it’s a fantastic obstacle course that will have the whole family out on the water and in floods of laughter. Visitors to Wibit, which is run by Dunmore Adventure in Dunmore East, jump, slide, climb and swing their way around, with the added bounce of water trampolines. Just bring togs, towel and energy; they’ll supply the wetsuit for free.
You can also get out into the great wide open while on a city break in the capital. Dublin Bay Biosphere is a great big adventure playground right on its doorstep. Landlubbers can explore the Dublin Coastal Trail from Skerries to Killiney, while salty seadogs take in the seaward side with a boat tour around Ireland’s Eye. Soak up the sea spray, spot seals and seabirds, or just sit back and relax while your skipper keeps you briefed and entertained about all the mysterious caves, smugglers coves and ancient monasteries that you sail by.
On the ground
Did you know there’s a place in Ireland where the water buffalo roam? Get up close and personal with these majestic creatures as they graze the lush grasslands of the Lynch Home Farm in Muskerry, Co Cork. The family purchased 31 of these wonderful animals from Italy in 2009 and now have a herd of more than150. For a great day out. take a tour with farm guide Dorothy O’Tuama to pet the baby buffalo and find out how these fantastic beasts make the most wonderful mozzarella.
For a hilarious weekend fixture, check out the Dublin Football Walking Tours, kicking off at 11.30am on selected dates in July, hosted by Après Match funny man Gary Cook and TD Aodhán Ó'Ríordáin. One does hilarious impressions and the other talks for a living, so it’s not a good walking tour, it’s a great one, packed with ancient gossip, fascinating facts and cracking stories. They start and end at Dublin’s Little Museum on Stephen’s Green, making it a perfect après brunch option.
Get a bug’s eye view of the country with Mud Bugs, a provider of nature-based activity boxes and workshops for kids. It’s based in south Leitrim and is run by a professional forest school leader. Sign up for one of its free Welly Walks, which take place across Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands on the last Saturday of the month.
For great things to see and do in Dublin, Ireland’s Ancient East, Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands and along the Wild Atlantic Way, visit discoverireland.ie
Free your mind and wallet at the same time
A holiday at home is packed with great places to visit. And many won’t cost you a cent. Whether it’s taking a looped walk at Lough Boora Discovery Park in Co Offaly, spotting wild birds and even wilder sculptures, or watching the master glassblowers at work at Jerpoint Glass in Kilkenny, there are loads of great free things to see and do.
Got bikes? Head to one of our wonderful greenways, free of traffic and packed with scenic spots to stop and picnic. Pack a flask and explore the vast wilderness of national parks, from Wicklow to Killarney. Or soak up some culture at venues such as Dublin’s National Gallery and Chester Beatty Museum or Cork’s Crawford Art Gallery, with free tours to help colour in the background.
From history at the Hill of Tara in Co Meath to natural wonders like the Glencar Waterfall in Co Leitrim, Ireland is rich in visitor attractions that pay dividends in memories yet cost nothing but time.