Top Outdoor Activities in Ireland
Top Boating Trips
Imagine the scene: gentle waves lap at the edges of your boat as it heads for open water, drawing a perfect silver line across the tranquil, mirror-flat surface. Every sound is crystal clear—a dog barks, a kingfisher whirrs past flying low across the water, and fellow sailors shout a hearty welcome. This magical moment can easily be yours in Ireland, thanks to the wealth of possibilities for either guided tours or private hires.
Coast or Inland
Ireland's indented western seaboard from Donegal to Cork has many first-class sailing opportunities. The main towns have sailing clubs in scenic areas. The best option is to choose an area such as West Cork and spend a week sailing from port to port. If you want to enjoy the very heart of Ireland, the River Shannon offers an unequaled choice of boating trips from the Northern Midlands down to Killaloe in County Clare. Cruisers can be hired at Carrick-on-Shannon, Banagher, and Portumna. Crossing the Irish border, the Shannon–Erne Waterway has opened up a little-known area of untamed beauty, and the renaissance of Ireland's canals is a regeneration success.
The Five Best Boating Trips
Fermanagh Lakes: With 700 km (430 miles) of rivers, lakes, and canals, Fermanagh is tops. Upper and Lower Lough Erne are dotted with islands topped with castles or Round Towers ideal for exploring.
River Barrow: Hire a traditional steel canal boat at Rathangan in County Kildare for a 120-km (75-mile) trip along the idyllic Barrow—Ireland's oldest navigation—passing through a Chaucerian landscape and dropping anchor at Graiguenamanagh (pronounced "grayg-na-mana" and known as Graig); en route, sign up for a canalways pub crawl.
River Shannon Cruising: One of the best places to hire from is the delightful boating town of Carrick-on-Shannon—putter your leisurely way down to Lough Ree or as far as the Lower Shannon.
Royal Canal: With its reconstructed locks and bridges, the 145-km (90-mile) canal is perfect for those on narrow boats, and in 2010 it became fully navigable from Dublin to Richmond Harbor in County Longford. Towpaths run from the Liffey all the way to the Shannon.
West Cork Sailing: The harbors of the ports of call along this coast, such as Kinsale, Glandore, Baltimore, and Bantry, offer delightful overnight stays.
Guided Tours or Private Hire
A first-time boater? Get some courses under your belt by contacting the International Sailing Schools Association. If you want to sit back and have it all done for you, book half-day or full-day guided pleasure cruises.
Information
The best resources about boating in Ireland include: www.sailing.ie; www.issa-schools.org; www.discoverireland.ie/lakelands; www.waterwaysireland.org; www.iwai.ie; Canalways Ireland (www.canalways.ie); Cruise Ireland (www.cruiseireland.com); Emerald Star Cruisers (www.emeraldstar.ie); and Riversdale Barge Holidays (www.riversdalebargeholidays.com).
Best Walks and Hikes
Catch the right day and an Irish hilltop can seem like a slice of heaven. The country is laced with 33 well-marked walking trails. If you're not feeling adventurous, strolls through a forest park or a lakeside wander are wonderful options. If you’re going for bragging rights, consider walking the extension to the world-renowned International Appalachian Trail. The two best websites for hiking information are www.discoverireland.ie/walking and www.walkni.com.
The Top Five Hiking Regions
Ballyhoura Country: Whether it's mountain biking or hiking through a lesser-known portal of Irish countryside, Ballyhoura's Mesolithic past comes alive across lakelands, parks, and the ancient Lough Gur in counties Limerick and Cork.
The Reeks of Kerry: Munster, in the southwest of the country, has Ireland's biggest mountains with MacGillycuddy's Reeks in Kerry (3,414 feet) leading the way in the hierarchy of height. They attract serious hill walkers and serious gongoozlers (those who like to gaze up at the peaks).
Ulster Way: Relaunched in 2009, the 1,000-km (625-mile) circular Ulster Way crosses the most stunning upland areas of Northern Ireland including the impressive Mountains of Mourne.
West Is Best: Many of Ireland's west-coast walking routes are framed by spectacular Atlantic scenery: Connemara, Sligo, and Donegal are renowned for the allure of their hills with thrilling views.
The Wicklow Way: Starting in the suburbs of Dublin, 137 km (85 miles) of trails take you through the heart of the spectacular Wicklow Mountains. Check out some of the gorgeous villages along the way.
The Top Five Walks
The Barrow Way, Co. Carlow. Follow the Barrow River on a 113-km (70-mile) meander through the forgotten Midlands, where countless historical sights pepper the pastoral landscape. It's a feast for wildlife lovers as well.
Burren, Co. Clare. An unforgettable trip into an otherworldly place, this lunar landscape is threaded with looped walks, rare flowers, and ancient ruins, many with a backdrop of unbeatable views across Galway Bay. The entire Burren Way is a 123-km (76-mile) pleasure-filled walk.
Glendalough, Co. Wicklow. The gentle, three-hour circular Spink Walk takes you across a wooden bridge, along a boardwalk, through conifer woodland, and alongside the Upper Lake, with sweeping views over the valley.
Silent Valley, Co. Down. Catch a bus from Newcastle and, after a two-hour (undemanding) walk around this idyllic place, you will realize why it was so named.
Slievenamon, Co. Tipperary. An unmistakable landmark famed in song, there is an easy track to the top where a burial cairn reputedly contains the entrance to the Celtic underworld.
Weather or Not
Irish weather is fickle, mist comes down quickly, and it's easy to get lost. Check the forecast and leave word with someone at your hotel about where you are going. Layers of waterproof gear and fleeces are a good bet so you can strip off when the sun comes out. Even though signposting is generally good in hill areas, bring a map: free walking guides are available from regional tourism offices, but invest in Ordnance Survey Discovery Maps, available at newsagents for €8.
