Adventure Holidays in Ireland
Where nature and culture collide
50 shades of green, black stout, welcoming people and the legendary Irish craic - these are just a few of the many images that come to mind when thinking of Ireland, the green island on the Western end of Europe. With its breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage, Ireland offers a perfect blend of adventure and immersion for those seeking a unique holiday experience. From outdoor enthusiasts to families with children in tow, this enchanting island promises something for everyone. Discover the myriad of adventures and local experiences awaiting you as you explore this captivating country.
Our Ireland Adventure Holidays
Find inspiration in our complete adventure holiday packages to Ireland or let us know your wishes and we will be happy to plant your perfect adventure holiday to Ireland with you!
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As you embark on your adventure holiday in Ireland, the blending of outdoor activities, local experiences, culture, and gastronomy will ensure you create lasting memories. Whether you're scaling mountain peaks, savoring a hearty Irish meal, or exploring ancient castles, this enchanting island has something to offer every traveler, making Ireland the perfect destination for a memorable adventure holiday.
Outdoor Adventures - between wild Atlantic coastline and idyllic mountains
Ireland's diverse terrain, from rugged coastlines to lush green valleys, provides a gigantic playground for any outdoor enthusiasts. The country's stunning scenery is best explored through various thrilling activities. Embark on the vast network of hiking trails crisscrossing Ireland, including the renowned Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland's West coast or the ancient the Wicklow Way closer to Dublin. Encounter charming villages, picturesque lakes, and verdant fields on cycling tours through Ireland's charming countryside and dive into an array of water-based activities, from kayaking along the dramatic Cliffs of Moher to surfing the Atlantic waves in County Donegal.
Family Adventures - an ancient playground filled with castles, ruins and legends
Ireland welcomes families with open arms, offering a range of activities tailored to all ages. Family-friendly hiking, walking and cycling routes are abundant, ensuring that all members of the clan can enjoy the adventure holiday. Children will love to discover ancient castles, pre-historic sites and exciting caves while venturing through the green countryside of Ireland. For an unforgettable family adventure, embark on a coast adventure to spot dolphins and whales or opt for a trip to Fota Wildlife Park, where they can get up close and personal with exotic animals. Ireland is rich in folklore, and what better way to engage your children's imaginations than with a visit to the Leprechaun and Fairy Underground Cavern in Carlingford, or a trek through the magical Glendalough valley, home to legends of fairies and mythical creatures.
Local Experiences - simply enjoying the Irish craic!
It might sound like a clichee, but no trip to Ireland can be complete without a visit to a good old traditional Irish pub. Experience the heart of Irish social life by visiting traditional pubs where you can enjoy live music, storytelling, and a pint of the famous Guinness. These cozy establishments offer a glimpse into Ireland's rich musical heritage and the chance to mingle with locals. All pubs serving food in Ireland also welcome families with children. Also don't miss the opportunity to indulge in authentic Irish cuisine. From hearty stews to fresh seafood, there's something to satisfy every palate. Visit local farmers' markets to sample artisan cheeses, freshly baked bread, and artisanal products, or take a cooking class to learn the secrets of traditional Irish recipes. Old-fashioned whiskey distilleries all across Ireland have been revived over the last decades, taking visitors on a journey through the history of Irish whiskey making. Special Irish whiskey tasting are available in distilleries, many pubs and restaurants.
Get inspired - travel bonanza, tours and stories
About Ireland
Ireland covers approximately. 84,500 km2, of which about 80% form the Republic of Ireland while the remaining are part of the United Kingdom, known as Northern Ireland or Ulster. The coasts on the North, West, and South borders the Atlantic Ocean and the East side of Ireland is separated from from Great Britain by the Irish sea. With water all around, the sea is never further away than 110km from any place in Ireland.
The coastline is characterized by impressive sea cliffs, sandy beaches, historic villages, medieval castles, and alluring islands where locals still cherish old traditions. The central green countryside is surrounded by mountain ranges, and home to meandering rivers, and many small lakes, besides rolling hills. The capital Dublin - located on the Eastern coast of Ireland - offers all the rich culture and diversity. Its surroundings home to important historical heritage like the archeological site Brú na Bóinne with its large collection of Neolithic monuments - such as Newgrange tomb that is over 5000 years old.
Ireland has developed as a high-end destination, attracting travelers with original accommodation, local food and foremost a set of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Ireland's Atlantic coastline, the Wild Atlantic Way, offers 2,400km of magnificent unspoiled scenery with rugged shores, scattered islands and lush green hills, fabulous seafood, crafty drinks and whiskies, and endless opportunities of activities on land and water all along the way.
The Southern and Southwestern area boasts iconic scenery including the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle peninsula. Further North, the magnificent Cliffs of Moher: awe-inspiring, wild and beautiful. In between, you will find fantastic sandy beaches, popular among surfers and a perfect destination for a family holiday in the summer. Ireland's Burren and Killarney National Parks spoil you for choice with many options for hiking, climbing, cycling or watersports and you will find many local initiatives in sustainable and heritage tourism. The small city of Cork is ireland’s food capital, known for its gastronomic specialties and lively markets as well as alluring historic center.
Northwestern part of Ireland, is the cultural heart of Ireland. The main city of Galway is a young and vibrant university town where you can immerse in art and music festivals. Besides, it is the gateway to the less-visited Connemara with award-winning beaches and crystal clear waters, perfect for a relaxed family holiday with plenty of outdoor activities at hand.
Ulster and Northern Ireland is a truly authentic region and the destination for those looking for an off-the-beaten adventure holiday. It encompass areas of great natural beauty, such as Antrim coastline leading up to the UNESCO Giant’s Causeway, an unparalleled display of volcanic and geological formations leading all the way into the ocean.
Travel Tips
When to travel
With its mild climate and its easy access, Ireland is a country that can be visited all year round. The most popular time to travel is between May and September with July and August being by far the busiest months.
Ireland's eastern coast tends to be drier and warmer than the western part, where, especially over the winter months, the conditions can be stormy, cold and wet. Temperatures all over Ireland hardly ever fall below 0 degrees though. From late October to mid March, the days tend to be quite short, so if you are looking at touring, the longer days of the year would be more suitable.
Ireland usually sees the driest and warmest season in May and June, making the time perfect for outdoor activities all across Ireland when the often boggy underground has dried up. While there is a chance of storms due to the hurricane season across the Atlantic, September can bring some lovely late summer weather with mild and sunny days, especially on the east coast.
How to travel
With an annual passenger volume of almost 33 mio in 2019, Dublin airport is by far the busiest airport in Ireland. To compare, Shannon Airport in the west saw around 1,7 mio passengers while Cork airport saw just under 300,000 passengers over the same period.
Dublin serves an extensive network of destinations and airlines, connecting Ireland to mainland Europe and North America. Direct routes are also operated to the UAE and Asia. The best European hubs to connect to Dublin are London Heathrow, Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt.
In Ireland, the easiest way to get around is by rental car. The bus network is extensive and connections are frequent, but public transport mainly connects the main centers and it can be challenging to travel in rural areas or off the beaten track. The Irish train operates a centralized system through Dublin, so depending where you want to go, the journey might be intricating due to the detour to Dublin.
Travelling with children
The wealth of exciting ancient history, outdoor opportunities and fantastic scenery makes Ireland a great destination to visit with the whole family. The country is not large and a good road network makes it easy and reasonably fast to travel across the country.
Though Ireland would not be considered to be a beach destination by many, Ireland offers some extraordinary long sandy beaches with calm waters, which are perfect for swimming, surfing or watersports. Further, Ireland has some exciting marine wildlife and it is possible in many places to spot seals, dolphins and whales in their natural habitat.
Ireland’s rich cultural and historical heritage includes ancient castles, vibrant cities and fabled creatures. Many sights exploring the mythical world are laid out for kids and offer great entertainment for old and young.
Hotels and B&Bs offer family accommodation with family rooms or separate lodges to house larger family groups. Restaurants nearly always offer a kids menu or will prepare smaller portions. It is always possible to request a cot or high chair for small kids.
What to bring
It is not a myth that it rains a lot in Ireland, so whenever you travel, the most important thing to bring is a waterproof jacket. Umbrellas might be used in urban areas, though rain is often accompanied by strong winds, making the use of umbrellas often challenging.
Comfortable and decent shoes are essential as no matter where you go or what you plan to do, you should prepare to walk quite a bit, also in the cities. If you are planning on hiking, waterproof hiking shoes or boots are advisable as trails are not always well maintained and often lead through boggy and wet terrain.
Even though people tend to be obsessed with the weather, temperatures are moderate and never get extremely low or high. Warm evenings are rare, even at the height of summer, so always prepare for chilly evenings with a warmer jumper, cardigan and jacket.
The sun gets surprisingly strong over the summer months, so sun lotion, a sun hat and sunglasses are recommendable. A small backpack or handbag will be perfect to carry your belongings when out and about.
While people enjoy a casual style in their routine or when outdoors, especially the younger generations love to dress up in the evening, so you should also pack a nice outfit if you plan to hit the town in the evenings.
Adventure Holidays Destinations
Click below for more useful and practical information on traveling to Ireland.
Adventure Holidays Destinations
Adventure Holidays Destinations
