An Adventure Travellers Guide To Ireland

Ireland’s rugged terrain and wild coastlines make it a dream location for adventure travellers who don’t mind a little rainfall. From big-wave surfing on the western shores to summiting the country’s most majestic peaks, there is adventure to be had across the island. Here is Culture Trip’s guide to adventure travel in Ireland’s four provinces.

1. Munster (South of Ireland)

Natural Feature

Cliffs of Moher, Lough South, County Clare, Munster, Ireland

The Wild Atlantic Way tourist trail doesn’t get much wilder than County Kerry. And while driving the Ring of Kerry route could be considered a form of adventure travel in itself (it’s notoriously narrow in places), hiking the area is considerably more rewarding – especially if you’re able to ascend Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, along the way. Although caution is advised when tackling this climb, if you do manage to reach its peak, you’ll be rewarded with some of the most dramatic scenery in the entire country. If Kerry is a little too off the beaten track, or you’d rather try one of the world’s fastest-growing water sports instead, Mallow in County Cork is home to Ballyhass Wake Park, Ireland’s largest cable wakeboarding facility. It accommodates both beginners and experienced wakeboarders.

2. Leinster (East of Ireland)

Park

In the east, your first port of call should be Kilkenny’s Castlecomer Discovery Park, which launched Ireland’s longest over-water zipline in 2016 – 300m (984ft) long and 35m (115ft) above ground at its highest point. The park also offers treetop rope walks, boating and more. If you’d like to get a bit closer to nature, the Kippure Estate Adventure Centre on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains National Park offers wilderness skills, clay shooting, mountain navigation, kayaking and other adventures in some of the most beautiful countryside in Ireland. It also has various lodges and hostel-style accommodation for rent. In Dublin, the Howth peninsula is popular with kitesurfers.

3. Ulster (North of Ireland)

Natural Feature

Tullan Strand, a 1 mile ,long surf beach extending north from Bundoran, County Donegal, Ireland. Image shot 07/2014. Exact date unknown.

Ulster’s adventure pursuits range from the classic – boat trips, climbing, diving and so forth – to the refreshingly obscure, such as blokarting (also known as land yachting). However, the region is probably most famous for surfing; the town of Bundoran in County Donegal has been named one of the world’s best surf towns by National Geographic. After trying your hand at the legendary waves there, why not try hovercrafting on the Causeway Coast with FoyleHov? Alternatively, put on your hiking boots and take your pick from the Mourne Mountains, the Slieve League Cliffs (among Europe’s highest sea cliffs) or one of the Seven Sisters – a chain of peaks in the Derryveagh Mountains.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.