Activity Holidays In Ireland

Visiting Ireland can be an adventure all in itself – the amazing scenery, dramatic cliffs and coastlines, majestic mountains; even the brooding weather that comes in straight from the Atlantic. But if you think that Ireland is just for the more relaxed and gentile holiday maker then think again. If you’re after an adrenaline fuelled adventure from your holidays then give Ireland a go.  The Island of Ireland’s countryside is the activity holiday makers dream providing a wild and open playground for most adventure activities – from bivouacking in the Wicklow mountains to riding the surf at Strandhill; paragliding above Seefin in County Kerry to caving deep underground at Shannon cave in County Fermanagh. And the great thing about Ireland is that you won’t be joining a queue or jostling with crowds to get your adventure fix.

As with any adventure sport or activity holiday you need to make sure that you’re sufficiently trained and prepared for what you intend to do, or that you are under the tuition and care of trained instructors or guides. There are plenty of sports schools, training centre, coaches and guides in Ireland so there’ll be no problem finding someone to help you on your activity holiday.  This isn’t just safety advice, it’s common sense and you’ll get so much more out of your adventure day if you know you’ve got it covered. It’s important to take out holiday insurance if you’re visiting Ireland from the United Kingdom or abroad, whilst an E111 is great it’s best to take out your own higher levels of cover when you’re taking a few more risks than the average holidaymaker.  Many holiday or travel insurance policies cover a range of activities or adventure sports but it’s vital you check whether the sports you plan to do are in fact covered.

Find Adventure and Excitement in Ireland

So, you’ve decided you need to top up your adventure levels, you’re properly insurance and have the necessary kit – what’s Ireland got to offer?

Ireland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Irish Sea to the east and the St. George’s Channel and North Channel to the north and south.  Ireland also has many great Loughs or Lakes and literally hundreds of miles or rivers.  An activity holiday in Ireland just wouldn’t be complete without trying at least a couple of water sports. With a little practice you’ll be riding the waves and speaking the Surf Lingo.  There are over 50 recognised surf beaches across Ireland – Strandhill, Bunmahon,  Dunluce, Garretstown,  Tramore and many more. If you need a bit of help to get going contact one of the many surf schools – there are schools at Lahinch, Bundoran and Fanfore beaches.  If you’ve got the hang of riding the waves why not try diving beneath the waves with scuba diving.  To get you going try a discover diving day – in just a day you’ll have learned the basic principles of diving and diving techniques, practiced these in safe, shallow water where you’ll learn to clear water from a mask recover a regulator, ascend from a dive and how to communicate underwater using hand signals. And if you’re ready and wiling, at the end of the day you’ll move into deeper water with your PADI Instructor and get your first fantastic experience of open water diving. There are many scuba diving schools including Scuba dive West in County Galway, Adventure Diving in County Meath and DV Diving in County Down to name but a few.

With all the fantastic Irish mountains and hills you’d be crazy not to want get into the great outdoors. But there’s more than one way to experience nature – keeping your feet firmly on the ground with extreme hiking or caving or flying high and looking down onto it.  Walk every one of the 134 miles of the Ring of Kerry ascending the highest mountain range in Ireland the MacGillycuddy Reeks.  If you’re out and about make sure that you include some unconventional earthy sports. Try your hand at rock climbing, from simple rock scrambles in the Burren to all out climbs in the Dingle Peninsula  or bog snorkelling (flipper your way across 120 yards of water logged peat bog without using swimming strokes).  See the Irish countryside from a whole new perspective when you take a tandem paragliding flight – there’ll be no experience like it, soaring silently about mountains and fells. And if you get hooked you can try a starter day where you’ll get airborne under your own steam.

This is just a taste of the adventures and experiences you can have on your activity holiday in Ireland. But there are loads more from horse riding to kite surfing, sailing to sphereing! And if you’re after a place to stay that gives you the freedom to try these activities and somewhere comfortable and warm to recover then a self catering holiday cottage in Ireland is the best solution.