14 adventures to enjoy across Ireland
I've had my share of adrenaline-fuelled escapades across Ireland, so I've compiled some of my favourites into a list to give you some inspiration.
A Derry Festival
Ireland has tonnes of incredible festivals, but did you know that Derry is known as the festival city? It's famous for its Halloween festival, but there are plenty of events to choose from year-round. I absolutely love the jazz festival, with live performances across the city and everyone out dancing in the streets.
Saltee Islands
The Saltee Islands off the coast of Wexford are one of my favourite day trip destinations in Ireland. Hop on a ferry from Kilmore Quay and spend a few hours exploring the island. There are no facilities on the island, so bring what you need and make sure to leave no trace. If you're lucky, you'll see puffins, but there are a whole host of birds to see, including gannets and razorbills.
Falconry
While seeing a bird of prey soaring towards you is awe-inspiring, there's definitely a hit of adrenaline when those razor-sharp talons are aimed at your own hand. The Hawkeye School of Falconry at Lyrath Estate offers several falconry experiences, including an optional owl encounter, which I highly recommend.
Mountain Skills
If you love hiking and want to take it off-trail for a bit more adventure, then you should try a Mountain Skills course. I did my level one last year with Mountaineering Ireland thanks to Roz Purcell. Roz often offers places on Mountain Skills courses to help get more people into the outdoors, so keep an eye on her socials @thehikelife. Otherwise, check out the Mountaineering Ireland website for course details.
Emerald Park
I couldn't talk about adventures in Ireland without mentioning Ireland's only theme park. As a self-confessed adrenaline addict, there's nothing I love more than the rush of a rollercoaster. Dino Dash and the Cú Chulainn coaster are my favourites.
Explore Inis Mór
Hop on board the Doolin Ferry to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. Once on land, visit Dun Aonghasa, a hill fort that's over 3000 years old and is perched on the edge of a cliff. Check out Poll na bPeist/The Wormhole, a spectacular rectangular blow hole carved into the rocks. On the way back, cruise under the cliffs of Moher before landing back in Doolin.
Explore Ireland's Waterways
Hire a boat, load on a bike and do some slow travel. I spent a day exploring the Barrow Way by boat and bike. I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, a cyclist, but what better place to give it a go than a riverside greenway with no traffic. This trip allowed me to explore Ireland in a new way and see parts of the countryside that I wouldn't have been able to access otherwise.
Dark Sky Tour
If it involves constellations, astronomy or astrology, count me in. Terra Firma runs a stargazing safari and dark sky tour, which takes you into the Gold Tier-certified Mayo Dark Sky Park to marvel at the sky and glimpse nocturnal wildlife.
Sea Kayaking
Sea cave kayaking at Hook Head in Wexford has been on my adventure bucket list for years. The Irish Experience offers tours of hidden sea caves and coves with expert guides. Keep an eye out for local seals, basking sharks or dolphins as you paddle.
Surfing in Sligo
Sligo is essentially a mecca for surfers. While the water may be chilly, surf lessons are always fun. There's something about crashing into the waves over and over, surrounded by a bunch of people trying and failing just as spectacularly as you, that makes you feel alive. Strandhill is where several surf schools are located, so if you're looking for a lesson, that's where you need to go.
Whale Watching
West Cork is one of the best places in Ireland to spot marine wildlife. Tours run year-round from Baltimore harbour and give you the chance to spot minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, seals, dolphins and more.
Wild Atlantic Road Trip
Have you really even seen Ireland if you haven't road tripped the Wild Atlantic Way? If you don't drive, rope a friend into being your chauffeur, because there's nothing like navigating our tiny winding roads, with views for miles in all directions, and being able to stop roadside to pet a Connemara pony or pick up a handknit jumper.
Sunset by the Sea
Irish sunsets are second to none. I love grabbing a bag of chips from Saltee's in Kilmore Quay, then wandering down to the beach to watch the sky slowly transform into a swatch of red, orange and pink. It's the perfect summer evening activity!
Alpaca Trekking
Alpacas are one of the cutest animals on the planet, and these days, there are magical places dotted around Ireland where you can take an alpaca for a walk. There's something very zen about it because the alpacas seem to prefer a slower pace. I tried this at Cranfield Alpacas in Co.Down, but there are plenty of places to try it around Ireland.
There are so many adventures in Ireland that this article could have been twice as long! But that's the fun part, for every adventure you experience, a new one will pop up for you to try next time.
For now, I hope this gives you some inspiration to get out there and explore our beautiful island.
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RTÉ News
11-08-2025
- RTÉ News
14 adventures to enjoy across Ireland
Ireland may be small, but that doesn't mean there's any shortage of adventures to be had. It simply means that we can access adventures in all corners of the country with relative ease. There really is no excuse not to get out there and try something new this year. I've had my share of adrenaline-fuelled escapades across Ireland, so I've compiled some of my favourites into a list to give you some inspiration. A Derry Festival Ireland has tonnes of incredible festivals, but did you know that Derry is known as the festival city? It's famous for its Halloween festival, but there are plenty of events to choose from year-round. I absolutely love the jazz festival, with live performances across the city and everyone out dancing in the streets. Saltee Islands The Saltee Islands off the coast of Wexford are one of my favourite day trip destinations in Ireland. Hop on a ferry from Kilmore Quay and spend a few hours exploring the island. There are no facilities on the island, so bring what you need and make sure to leave no trace. If you're lucky, you'll see puffins, but there are a whole host of birds to see, including gannets and razorbills. Falconry While seeing a bird of prey soaring towards you is awe-inspiring, there's definitely a hit of adrenaline when those razor-sharp talons are aimed at your own hand. The Hawkeye School of Falconry at Lyrath Estate offers several falconry experiences, including an optional owl encounter, which I highly recommend. Mountain Skills If you love hiking and want to take it off-trail for a bit more adventure, then you should try a Mountain Skills course. I did my level one last year with Mountaineering Ireland thanks to Roz Purcell. Roz often offers places on Mountain Skills courses to help get more people into the outdoors, so keep an eye on her socials @thehikelife. Otherwise, check out the Mountaineering Ireland website for course details. Emerald Park I couldn't talk about adventures in Ireland without mentioning Ireland's only theme park. As a self-confessed adrenaline addict, there's nothing I love more than the rush of a rollercoaster. Dino Dash and the Cú Chulainn coaster are my favourites. Explore Inis Mór Hop on board the Doolin Ferry to Inis Mór, the largest of the Aran Islands. Once on land, visit Dun Aonghasa, a hill fort that's over 3000 years old and is perched on the edge of a cliff. Check out Poll na bPeist/The Wormhole, a spectacular rectangular blow hole carved into the rocks. On the way back, cruise under the cliffs of Moher before landing back in Doolin. Explore Ireland's Waterways Hire a boat, load on a bike and do some slow travel. I spent a day exploring the Barrow Way by boat and bike. I'm not, by any stretch of the imagination, a cyclist, but what better place to give it a go than a riverside greenway with no traffic. This trip allowed me to explore Ireland in a new way and see parts of the countryside that I wouldn't have been able to access otherwise. Dark Sky Tour If it involves constellations, astronomy or astrology, count me in. Terra Firma runs a stargazing safari and dark sky tour, which takes you into the Gold Tier-certified Mayo Dark Sky Park to marvel at the sky and glimpse nocturnal wildlife. Sea Kayaking Sea cave kayaking at Hook Head in Wexford has been on my adventure bucket list for years. The Irish Experience offers tours of hidden sea caves and coves with expert guides. Keep an eye out for local seals, basking sharks or dolphins as you paddle. Surfing in Sligo Sligo is essentially a mecca for surfers. While the water may be chilly, surf lessons are always fun. There's something about crashing into the waves over and over, surrounded by a bunch of people trying and failing just as spectacularly as you, that makes you feel alive. Strandhill is where several surf schools are located, so if you're looking for a lesson, that's where you need to go. Whale Watching West Cork is one of the best places in Ireland to spot marine wildlife. Tours run year-round from Baltimore harbour and give you the chance to spot minke whales, fin whales, humpback whales, orcas, seals, dolphins and more. Wild Atlantic Road Trip Have you really even seen Ireland if you haven't road tripped the Wild Atlantic Way? If you don't drive, rope a friend into being your chauffeur, because there's nothing like navigating our tiny winding roads, with views for miles in all directions, and being able to stop roadside to pet a Connemara pony or pick up a handknit jumper. Sunset by the Sea Irish sunsets are second to none. I love grabbing a bag of chips from Saltee's in Kilmore Quay, then wandering down to the beach to watch the sky slowly transform into a swatch of red, orange and pink. It's the perfect summer evening activity! Alpaca Trekking Alpacas are one of the cutest animals on the planet, and these days, there are magical places dotted around Ireland where you can take an alpaca for a walk. There's something very zen about it because the alpacas seem to prefer a slower pace. I tried this at Cranfield Alpacas in but there are plenty of places to try it around Ireland. There are so many adventures in Ireland that this article could have been twice as long! But that's the fun part, for every adventure you experience, a new one will pop up for you to try next time. For now, I hope this gives you some inspiration to get out there and explore our beautiful island.
The Irish Sun
09-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
I went on a spooky tour of Ireland inspired by Netflix's Wednesday with haunted castles and huge waterfalls
An ancient cemetery and haunted castle were high on the agenda — both of which feature heavily in the new series WICKED WEDNESDAY I went on a spooky tour of Ireland inspired by Netflix's Wednesday with haunted castles and huge waterfalls WHEN I think of a holiday in Ireland I think, Guinness, Guinness and, yep, you guessed it, more Guinness. But my two-day mini-break to Wicklow, just 30 minutes south of Dublin, was anything but that. 4 The enchanting Wicklow mountains in Ireland Credit: Getty 4 Grave expectations for Ortega as Wednesday Credit: JONATHAN HESSION/NETFLIX In fact, it opened my eyes to this region's idyllic and dramatic rolling countryside as well as its complex history, steeped in mythology and folklore. And if I needed any more reason to visit, Ireland is now being billed as the new home of Halloween thanks not just to its long-standing roots to the pagan festival but the hit Netflix series Wednesday. 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Irish Examiner
26-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Donegal and Kerry showcase football's Wild Atlantic Way
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