OPEN


 

National Parks

   Find Me in

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...

show all Activities & Adventure »

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.

View all Cycling & Biking

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!

View all On the Water

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.

View all Equestrian Adventures

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!

View all Walking & Hiking

More Activities & Adventure

View all Golf

Time for a few holes?

View all Surfing

Lets go surfing!

View all Angling

Find out more about fishing

View all Adventure on Land

Find a unique Adventure

   Get me here

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.

show all Arts, Culture & Heritage »

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.

View all Uniquely Irish

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.

View all Ireland through the Ages

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.

View all Natural Ireland

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.

View all Explore the Arts

More Arts, Culture & Heritage

View all Discover Literary Ireland

Find out about literary festivals

View all Nature and Wildlife

Take a walk on the wild side

   Find me a in

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.

show all Food »

Food Festivals learn more »

Food Festivals

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

View all Food Festivals

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.

View all Food Trails

Cookery Schools learn more »

Cookery Schools

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

View all Cookery Schools

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.

View all Food & Farmers Markets

More Food

View all Eating Out

Go on, you’re worth it...

View all Meet a local Food Hero

Treat yourself to a nice meal out.

National Parks

Play Video

Taking a walk in one of Ireland’s six national parks is a chance to immerse yourself in raw, unspoilt nature. The landscapes of these protected areas vary dramatically. From the Burren’s shattered limestone rock garden to Killarney National Park’s shimmering lakes and exquisite natural woodland, each and every park is a hiker’s dream.

A long group walking in the Burren

The Burren draws many who like to explore the bare stone hills which are dappled with Alpine and lowland flowers and Neolithic monuments. There are many walking routes but the 123km Burren Way is probably the most famous.

Read more about the Burren
a group resting by the river in Glenveagh

With mountains, moorlands, lakes and woods, Glenveagh National Park in north-west Donegal offers a real wilderness feel. Experienced hikers might be tempted to climb the two highest peaks – Errigal and Slieve Snaght, and there are many shorter waymarked trails too.

Read more about Glenveagh
The lake and valley at Glendalough

Centred on Glendalough, the Wicklow Mountains National Park offers a network of nine waymarked trails. If you’re handy with a map and compass, that’s just the start. This park is also a great place for spying on nature. It is one of Ireland’s major deer habitats and bird species include ravens, red grouse, skylarks and meadow pipits.

Read more about Wicklow
Ballycroy National Park mountain and lake

Ballycroy National Park in northwest Mayo is the newest in the country. Dominated by the Nephin Beg mountain range, it is a remote and unspoilt wilderness where Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain stretch into the distance.

Read more about Ballycroy
An aerial view of the lake in the park

In the South West, Killarney National Park boasts a stunning array of mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. There is an excellent network of surfaced tracks in the Muckross, Knockreer and Ross Island areas of the park which are ideal for walkers.

Read more about Killarney
The mountain range in Connemara National Park

Several of the imposing Twelve Bens are within the Connemara National Park so it’s little wonder that there’s plenty of challenging hiking on offer. But there are also more sedate routes. Pick up nature trail booklets at the visitor centre near Letterfrack or if you want to bag a more manageable peak, scale Diamond Hill.

Read more about Connemara