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Mountains To Sea

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Ireland – one hell of a place for adventure
If you find that the ideal way to switch off is to turn on your adventure and activity mojo, Ireland offers the perfect natural playground. Get a fresh view of our mountains, lakes and coastline with easy-going options like hiking, biking, sea kayaking and angling. Or unleash that inner adrenalin junky with pursuits ranging from white-water paddling to wake boarding and sky diving to surfing. Why not visit one of Ireland's many outdoor adventure centres...

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Cycling & Biking learn more »

Cycling & Biking

Plan your cycling break in Ireland - choose from cycling routes, including mountain bike trails, long-distance options and family friendly jaunts.

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On the Water learn more »

On the Water

Whether you’re a born water baby or simply want to dip your toe into the water sports world, check out a host of great activities. Will you learn to surf or sail, wakeboard or windsurf? Whatever you pick, we reckon it’s time to dive in!

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Equestrian Adventures learn more »

Equestrian Adventures

There is maybe no better way to connect with the Irish landscape than by travelling on horseback. Whether you're an experienced rider or a novice, you’ll be matched up with the perfect mount to show you the way.

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Walking & Hiking learn more »

Walking & Hiking

There’s nothing quite like taking a walk in a new area to really get a feel for the place. From the Sunday stroller to the hard-core hiker, we’ve got the perfect walk for you. So be sure to pack those walking shoes!

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More Activities & Adventure

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Time for a few holes?

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Lets go surfing!

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Find out more about fishing

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Find a unique Adventure

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Precious Gems
Old and new, Ireland’s landscape of arts, culture and heritage offers a kaleidoscope of delights. Get in touch with the energy of the past when you visit treasures like the Skelligs and the Carrowkeel Tombs. And feel that same creative vibrancy within the modern scene where artists as diverse as Philip Treacy, Graham Knuttel and Roddy Doyle thrive.

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Uniquely Irish learn more »

Uniquely Irish

Want to hear the bodhrán? Or have a go at sean nós dancing? Go to a GAA match, to your local for a trad session or chat as Gaeilge on a Gaeltacht island. You don’t have to go far, the sporting and cultural events unique to Ireland are all around you.

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Ireland through the Ages learn more »

 Ireland through the Ages

The story of Ireland and her people through the ages is a rich and diverse one, with many influences, having shaped our Landscape, our People and our Society. Nowhere is this more visible than in our historic castles, towns, sites and attractions.

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Natural Ireland learn more »

Natural Ireland

When the New Seven Wonders of Nature are announced on 7th November 2011, will the Cliffs of Moher be among them? The Clare landmark is Ireland’s entry to the global competition, joining other famous attractions like the Grand Canyon and Kilimanjaro.

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Explore the Arts learn more »

Explore the Arts

Look to Ireland's unique culture and heritage for an unforgettable holiday experience. Awaken your senses at one of the many cultural events happening around the country, whether by day or by night.

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More Arts, Culture & Heritage

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Find out about literary festivals

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Take a walk on the wild side

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Get a taste for genuine Irish food.
Discover Ireland’s restaurants, enjoy regional dishes or sample local fare from passionate artisan producers. From food festivals to farmers markets, restaurants and cookery schools, read on and find out more about Irish food.

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Food Festivals learn more »

Food Festivals

Fresh local produce and celebrations of great Irish food, here’s our pick of upcoming Irish foodie festivals.

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Food Trails learn more »

Food Trails

Choose from a selection of Ireland’s tasty food trails in Dublin, Cork, and Kilkenny to name a few.

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Cookery Schools learn more »

Cookery Schools

Search through our selection of Cookery schools and cooking courses in Ireland.

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Food & Farmers Markets learn more »

Food & Farmers Markets

Natural ingredients and fresh produce at your fingertips… great places to see, taste, and talk to producers about local food.

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More Food

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Go on, you’re worth it...

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Treat yourself to a nice meal out.

Authors a go-go come back in 2012

Sunny seaside location – check. Accumulated literary greats  – check. Weekend-long literary love  – check. Hello Mountains to Sea. Now, it doesn't take much to entice us to a cutesy harbour town but that pull gets a little greater when we know that wordsmiths like Sebastian Barry, Edna O'Brien and Melvyn Bragg will be there.

What's that? There are writers workshops, too? From Oliver Jeffers and Gerry Stembridge? Right, that's it, when's the next DART?

A day at Mountains to Sea Book Festival

Hop on the DART and shoot along the coast to the harbour delights of Dun Laoghaire. Between talks, grab a slice of childhood with a 99 from Teddy's and stroll the pier. After your long lunch, the lilting tones of wordsmiths like Michael Ondaatje and Meg Rosoff will be guide you back to the festival’s seafront site. Listening is hungry work so slip into Hartley’s for some sophisticated fish and chips. Post grub, make for the city centre where you can waltz in and out of Dublin’s finest buildings thanks to the Open House festival.

Open your eyes at Open House Dublin
Oliver Jeffers - One of the authors providing workshops at Mountains to Sea

Belfast man Oliver Jeffers will be imparting his writerly words of wisdom for budding Childrens writers

Author Workshops

Short Story MasterclassThe art of keeping it short with novelist Éilís Ní Dhiubhne

Creating CharactersCharacter building with director and novelist Gerard Stembridge

Non-Fiction and MemoirJournalist Molly McCloskey gives the low down on real writing

Songwriting SeminarLyrical learnings as imparted by songwriter John Spillane


Get your tickets for Mountains to Sea
Sebastian Barry

When asked why he writes Robert Coover, author of The Public Burning, says, ‘Because art blows life into the lifeless’. Sound bites like that make his Beckett Address this year unmissable. Other literary notables to be heard are Melvyn Bragg, Sebastian Barry, Edna O’Brien and Patrick Ness. Word is that Pauline McGlynn aka Mrs Doyle will be appearing, too. So, you'll be there right? Aaaah, go on....

Start the story at Mountains to Sea