From walking the Mourne Mountains to surfing in Donegal, Ireland is home to a wealth of unmissable experiences to add to the top of your bucket list. Here the team from Tourism Ireland round up some of the must-do activities across the island.
Mourne Mountains walking and hiking – County Down
The Mourne Mountains are famous for their challenging peaks and gentle slopes that offer rewarding and unparalleled views. Join an expert guided walking tour and hear incredible stories about the landscape that inspired C.S Lewis’ magical world of Narnia from Peter Rafferty who views the mountains as his playground. Today, the Mourne Mountains offer an idyllic place to pause and reflect, but if the stones could speak they would tell wild tales of soldiers and smugglers from years gone by. Follow the rocky paths of Northern Ireland’s highest and most dramatic mountain range at your own pace, to be rewarded with views overlooking the magical Ben Crom Dam. Prices start from £35 per person depending on the size of the group. The hike lasts approximately five hours. See walkthemournes.com
Surfing in Donegal
Donegal is home to beaches world renowned for great surfing. Stretching 2km from Bundoran Town, Tullan Strand is Ireland’s very own surfer’s paradise. Pull on a wetsuit and take to the waves on a surfboard, paddling out into the cold Atlantic Ocean for a beginners lesson, or for those more seasoned surfers, a fun day out on the water. Not only perfect for surfing, the main beach in Bundoran is also a scenic paradise, with the Sligo-Leitrim Mountains providing the backdrop to the sand dunes and cliffs dotted along the beach, Tullan Strand is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the Republic of Ireland. Surfboard rentals are priced at £18 (€20) per day. Beginners surfing lessons are priced at £30 (€35) per person for two hours. See bundoransurfco.com
Driving the Ring of Kerry
Starting and ending in Killarney, the Ring of Kerry is 179km ring road that follows the coastal contours of the Iveragh Peninsula. The drive can be completed in a day, but it’s recommended that it’s turned into a mini getaway for those who wish to do more exploring. Wrapped in stunning visual scenery, history and wildlife, the drive is the perfect way to experience all that Ireland has to offer. Start at Killarney, a lively town offering plenty of options for food, music, and pubs, before setting straight off to Killarney National Park. Along the route expect to see other colourful towns such as Kenmare or Sneem where visitors can stop off. Or if looking for more remote stop off locations, head for rocky coves and sandy beaches along the way. The Ring of Kerry hosts a wealth of history, with ancient monuments like Eightercua stone row and Staigue stone fort dotted along the ring, as well as imposing ancient ruins of castles and abbeys watching over drivers as they take in the spectacular rolling landscape.
Skellig Michael – County Kerry
Home to one of the oldest Christian Monastic settlements in the world, Skellig Michael is a hidden island located off the coast of County Kerry. Only accessible via boat, the jagged landscape reaches out of the water as the largest of the Skellig Islands. Follow in the footsteps of monks and ascend Skellig Michael, climbing 618 steps to reach the summit that is home to St Fionan’s Monastery, where many of the beehive-shaped structures that monks prayed and lived in remain intact today. Only a lucky few get to visit this island a year due to its protected nature, meaning that Skellig Michael retains its untouched charm. Visitors should keep an eye out for native birds such as puffins and gannets – some of the only inhabitants on a breath-taking island frozen in time. These tours have limited availability in order to protect the island, so alternatively visitors can book a Skellig Michael Eco Tour and take a boat tour to circle around the islands to learn all about the history and the spectacular wildlife from expert guides on the boat. The Skellig Michael Landing Tour is priced at £89 (€103.50) per person and runs from May to September. The Skellig Michael Eco Tour is priced at £35 (€40) per person and runs from April to September. See skelligislands.com
For more information see ireland.com