Summer is right around the corner, and what better time than the warm and sunny months of 2021 to go out on some outdoor adventures. In this article, we discuss various holiday and getaway locations in Ireland, for outdoor enthusiasts to make the most of the upcoming summer. Also, the activities are picked from various provinces!
1. Hike Leinster’s Highest Peak
East of Dublin, the Lugnaquilla is the province’s highest mountain, standing at a 925m elevation. Depending on the trail that you wish to take, the 10-16km hike up will take you between 5 and 8 hours and will reward you with phenomenal views all across the lands of Leinster; the “Lug” stretches a long and broad mountain range, so it offers hikers views of the local Wicklow mountains and the sandy beaches of the Irish sea.
2. Visit the Saltee Islands of Wexford
Also in Leinster, and just off the Kilmore Quay, you will find one of the most famous bird sanctuaries in Ireland. Well known for its beautiful puffins and other wildlife, you can relax on the cliff edge and watch nature play, as well as having the chance to go and explore the Saltee Islands, by inspecting its various caves and beaches. Since the Saltee Islands are private property, you cannot set up camp, but you can book day trips.
3. Climb Ireland’s highest peak
The Carrauntoohil is Ireland’s highest peak, breaching 1038m and calls on some of the most adventurous explorers out there. To explore this mountainous region of the Munster province, hikers commonly choose either of three routes: the Devil’s Ladder, Brother O Shea’s gully or the Caher route. While most travellers pick the first route, all three climbs are challenging, and will take you an average of 6 hours to complete – that is to climb up and back down, so it may take longer if you choose to have a picnic a kilometre up in the skies…
4. Wild Cooking
Have you ever seen those viral Tik Toks about chefs cooking out in wilderness? Well, the province of Munster is home to “The Wild Kitchen”, and, arguably, this should be on everyone’s bucket lists! You first take a Wild Food Walk across the lands and seashore of Lahinch, and then use your foraged ingredients to cook up an interesting, and uniquely delicious meal.
5. Go Snorkelling in Keem Bay
Achill island, located in the province of Connacht, provides travellers with unforgettable views and memories, and is a well-known snorkel trail due to its pristine waters and adventurous landscape (goes hand-in-hand with a climb up the local Croaghaun mountain!). A vibrant life of fish, eels and sea urchins await you; Achill Island’s ecosystem was attractive and inspirational even to visiting writers Heinrich Böll and Graham Greene.
6. Cycle a part of the Wild Atlantic Way
In the province of Ulster, but, just like the Achill Island, still on the Wild Atlantic Way, is a long stretch of road. Quiet roads offering soothing and aesthetic views of Irish beaches and cliffs. There are some well-known sections of the roads, such as the part in north Donegal, where you couldn’t be any closer to the sea unless you actually stepped foot in it! But the roads of the Wild Atlantic Way stretch 2500km and three provinces, so not only can this journey take you cross-province, but it also allows you to pick and choose which sights you would be most happy seeing; the beaches, mountains, grasslands and plains; and whether you’d prefer a hilly, tougher ride, or something more soothing and laid back.
The choice is yours, now go out there and enjoy Ireland!
