Active Holidays in Ireland

Walking and Cycling

According to temperature records, April and June are best months to visit weather wise. The secret is not to worry about the weather too much and be prepared for all seasons; take a good rain jacket. In the summer months from June through to August temperatures don’t go much higher than 20 degrees, and the daylight hours extend up to 17 hours. You can expect to see some beautiful sunsets and sunrises. The Kerry Way and Antrim Coasts can be busy in July and August however the trails are never crowded.

Festivals and Events

There is no doubt that one of the highlights of Ireland is the people. Its incredibly charming atmosphere can be felt no matter where you are. St Patrick’s day is one not to be missed on 17 March. Take in the vibrant colours of the parade through the city centre of Dublin, watch some quirky street theatre or soak up one of the many live music acts on offer; there’s a piece of Irish culture for everyone. Dublin is a great place to start, before our Wicklow Way trip. There are some other great events around the country, such as Galway Oyster Festival in Ireland and Cork Jazz festival

Good to know

You will most likely make new friends in Ireland especially if you are hiking as everyone loves to talk. Whether you’re on a mountain path, a remote coastal terrain, or you stop for a well-earned drink in the pub ‘Falite’ is the word of welcome. Arrive on foot, and your ‘falite’ is a given!

Ireland is a dream tourist destination. It has mesmerizing UNESCO world heritage sites, some of Europe’s most vibrant cities, a troubled but interesting history, rapidly evolving foodie scene, and Guinness. Outdoor lovers will find lots to be excited about in Ireland, with acres of wild and windswept countryside, quaint villages and dramatic coastal cliffs making up the country's incredibly varied scenery.

Dublin

The home of Guinness, it’s a small city with a huge reputation. One of the greatest reasons to visit Dublin is the people. Dubliners are the greatest hosts of all, a charismatic bunch with mesmeric soul and sociability. If Guinness and charming people aren’t enough, there are great sights to explore such as Phoenix Park, the library inside Trinity college and the National Gallery of Ireland. You wouldn’t be in Dublin if you didn’t finish your day with a well-earned drink in the Temple Bar. 

Recommendations: Dublin is a great place to relax before the Wicklow Way trail in Ireland. If your interested, read Cara’s blog. One of her highlights was “From the observatory deck of the Guinness Storehouse you can see the Wicklow Mountains".

Ring of Kerry

Known as Irelands most scenic tourist trail, the Ring of Kerry runs 120 miles through some of southwestern Ireland most spectacular landscapes. You can expect to see lush meadows, glacial lakes,and dramatic mountains. Some of the highlights include the rugged Beara Peninsula, the Kerry Way and Killarney National Park which is a UNESCO world heritage biosphere reserve. 

Recommendations: Discover the unspoilt beauty of the Kerry Way on foot, a 210km Irish national walking trail which also takes in the highlights of the famed Ring of Kerry route.

The Giant's Causeway

Northern Ireland's only UNESCO world heritage site. The natural wonder is compromised of around 40,000 polygonal basalt rock columns, formed by the ancient volcanic landscape and stretches along the coastline like a series of gigantic stepping stones. 

Recommendations: Why not take a day trip from Belfast, or enjoy a walking trip which includes the Giant’s Causeway, it will definitely be a trip with memories that will last a lifetime.

Skellig Islands

Irelands magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Skellig Islands are accessed from the popular Ring of Kerry tourist trail. They are made up of 2 islands; Skellig Michael and Little Skellig. When you first reach the islands you will be struck by their rugged beauty, as they scale some 700ft above you. You can expect a wonderful array of birdlife as you climb the 600 steps to the peak. Here you will find one of the oldest and best-preserved monasteries in Europe. Allow your imagination to take you back to the time of the monks, it’s the perfect escape! 

Recommendations: Planning and preparation are key to explore these incredible little islands.  The trips are weather permitting and the boats will not depart if conditions are too harsh so it's always good to have some flexibility. We also recommend booking well in advance as a limited number of boats depart for the Skelligs and they do book up at popular times. The trips are even more popular since Skellig Michael was used as the site of the first Jedi Temple in the latest Star Wars trilogy.