Ireland is on many a bucket list for its magical beauty and appeal, with Americans constantly romanticizing the lush landscapes, fantastic golf, biting whiskey, hopping pub scene, and idyllic backdrops of Irish culture amplified by holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and TV shows like Game of Thrones. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll discover Ireland is so much more than the stereotypes. For the more spirited souls, there are A-Z adventure opportunities with varying degrees of extremes and a variety of landscapes primed for exploration by land, sea, and sky.
While leprechauns, pots of gold, and corned beef and cabbage are essentially an American construct, the country itself does have a strong folk culture that only adds to the appeal. Ireland was named after “Ériu,” the pagan goddess, and fairies are the more commonly found spirit creatures, with tales just about everywhere. It’s a place where religion, myth, and folklore intertwine, with almost every sentence starting with allegedly, and everyone offering a different interpretation of the legends of the Emerald Isle. The line between truth and exaggeration often blurs, which as a storyteller, I adore, but those who prefer a more black-and-white version of history may not. For instance, I bet you didn’t know Halloween started there?
From windswept cliffs and ancient castles to scenic drives and remote islands, Ireland is a dream for travelers chasing natural beauty, cultural depth, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Just a hop, skip, and a jump across the pond, Ireland is also one of the easiest and quickest countries to get to in Europe, with many direct flights from gateway cities across America. Coupled with the fact that they speak English, albeit sometimes with super strong accents and dialects, it’s a great place to dip your toe into international travel and get a taste of traveling abroad without the strife or culture shock of more foreign entities. A bonus? The Dublin airport even offers pre-clearance, which alleviates the headache and hassle of waiting at customs upon your return home.
From the must-see outdoor destinations to the more off-the-beaten-path attractions in Ireland, here’s how to Riverdance your way to adventure across the Emerald Isle! Let’s crack on, shall we?
Outdoor Activities in Dublin
Whether you’re pedaling along coastal roads or hiking through misty mountains, Ireland’s landscapes offer endless trails for outdoor lovers—think dramatic cliffs, quiet forests, and paths steeped in Celtic lore.
Hiking and Biking in Ireland
All of Ireland is known for its hiking and biking, and both are top hobbies inside and outside the major cities. But be warned, what the locals call a casual walk may be more of a long trek to some. While there are more green rolling hills than dramatic altitude gain (1,038m is the tallest peak in the country), you could walk or pedal on for miles through the lush landscape (I was getting strong New Zealand vibes from all the countryside and sheep).
The Howth Coastal Walk offers breathtaking cliffside trails with panoramic views of the Irish Sea, Baily Lighthouse, and Ireland’s Eye.
Howth Coastal Walk
Howth Coastal Walk is one of the best examples of that. Just 30 minutes outside Dublin, five trails of varying lengths and difficulty skirt along the coast. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure as you amble by a protected UNESCO bay biosphere, a lighthouse, a Viking town, William Butler Yates’ home, where U2 played their first performance, an 11th-century abbey, and the fishing village and yacht club. Whether you spend an hour or a day soaking in the seaside views, it’s a great break from the hustle and bustle of city life. And a bonus?You can even get there by train from downtown to avoid the hassle of parking.
Surf, kayak, or coasteer your way along Ireland’s rugged coastline, where Atlantic swells and scenic bays offer thrills for every kind of water adventurer.
Watersports in Ireland
It’s easy to forget Ireland is an island, making watersports another top outdoor activity in Dublin and around the country. A big destination for surfing, sailing, kayaking, and the like, more unique water sports include kitesurfing, coasteering, sea stack climbing, and e-foiling (more on that later!). Don’t forget to wear a wetsuit, though, because the water temperatures range from 44-60 degrees Fahrenheit and it never gets much warmer than that (brr!).
In Dublin, your best option to splash around and get your adrenaline going is to try wakeboarding at Wakedock Cable Park, where cables replace the need for a boat. Geared toward first-timers and experts, one-on-one instructors and rental gear are included so you can feel confident working your way up to obstacles and more advanced maneuvers. (Unfortunately, they are closed for the 2022 season but hope to reopen soon).
For those who prefer to get a bird’s eye view of Dublin, head to Croke Parke Skywalk. A panoramic view of the capital from 17 stories up, there are five viewing platforms for different perspectives of the city. Pro Tip: The sunset tours are the most popular.
What’s a trip to Europe
without some old-world opulence? Ireland is said to be home to an astounding
3,000 castles and ruins, so you’re never more than a stone’s throw from living
out your princess fairytales (with a few you can even spend the night in!).
Home to the legendary Blarney Stone, the Blarney Castle is a medieval stronghold that invites visitors to kiss the stone for the gift of eloquence. Courtesy of Blarney Castle and Gardens
Pucker up at Blarney Castle
The number one attraction in Ireland is kissing the Blarney Stone at the gorgeous Blarney Castle outside Cork. According to legend, kissing the limestone is said to provide the individual with the “gift of gab,” which translates to eloquence in speech and flattery (and I could think of a few who could use that these days…cough, cough Adam Levine). Like many Irish tales, the stone’s origin is spotty, but some say it was the Lia Fáil—a magical stone upon which Irish kings were crowned. While you’re in there, give yourself time to tour the castle and magnificent gardens.
Learn the Ancient Art of Falconry at Ashford Castle
Hawk walk at Ashford Castle. Learn the ancient art of falconry with a bird of prey trained to follow you from tree to tree through the wooded pasture before swooping down to land on your gloved fist. The lesson is about an hour long with 2-3 hawks per participant. Ashford is also one of the castles you can sleep at.
Tucked within the wild beauty of Glenveagh National Park, this 19th-century castellated mansion overlooks Lough Veagh and offers a fairytale setting surrounded by rugged mountains and manicured gardens.
See a Castle in the Heart of a National Park
Ireland is home to six national parks, and Glenveagh National Park in Donegal is simultaneously the second biggest and one of the least visited. It is also the only national park in the world with a castle in the middle. Formerly a private estate, the 19th-century mansion was sold to the office of public lands when the owner got tired of all the upkeep (cue the world’s smallest violin). After you hike or bike to the fortified walls, the gardens and tea house are the perfect reward to take in the views.
Set against a backdrop of forested hills and mirrored lakes, Kylemore Abbey is a neo-Gothic masterpiece with a romantic past—paired with a beautifully restored walled garden.
See the Nuns Home at Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
Nestled in the heart of Connemara, on the Wild Atlantic Way, Kylemore Abbey is a haven of history, beauty, and serenity. Home to a Benedictine order of Nuns for the past 100 years, it’s a magnificent 1,000-acre estate. Give yourself plenty of time to explore because also on site is a gothic church, tea house, craft shop, and chocolate kitchen, plus the gardens, which you can get to by shuttle bus.
Dating back to the 13th century, Leap Castle is renowned as one of Ireland’s most haunted sites, with legends of the “Bloody Chapel” and the mysterious “Red Lady” attracting visitors seeking a blend of history and the supernatural.
Get Spooked at Leap Castle in Coolderry
What claims to be the most haunted castle in the world, Leap Castle attracts paranormal investigators from all over the globe. And with names like the “Bloody Chapel” and “the Murder Hole” room, it’s easy to see why. Now a private residence, tours are offered by request from the owner to learn about its dark past.
While there’s no passport checkpoint or extra stamp, and you likely won’t even notice you’ve crossed a border, Northern Ireland is an entirely separate country that’s part of the UK, not the EU. It’s on the pound, not the Euro, uses MPH instead of KM, and has a very complicated relationship with the crown (visiting during the queen’s funeral was…enlightening). As such, it opens up a whole additional set of options for Ireland adventures.
Chase Ireland adventures along the Causeway Coastal Route for one of the world’s most scenic road trips—linking castle ruins, cliffside roads, and the legendary Giant’s Causeway. Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland.
Take a Scenic Road Trip
Drive theCauseway Coast, which is considered to be one of the best road trips in the world. It hits a number of Northern Ireland’s top outdoor activities along the 130-mile route from Derry to Belfast. Attractions include castles, beaches, and tons of Game of Thrones filming locations. Two not-to-miss are the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Giants Causeway. You can technically do it in a day, but you’d be rushing to see everything so we recommend taking a few days to spread out the scenery, give yourself a break from driving, and take it all in.
Don’t look down on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, a swaying span suspended 100 feet above crashing waves—connecting the mainland to a tiny island once used by salmon fishermen. Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland
Traverse the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Ireland’s famous rope bridge, Carrick-a-Rede, is suspended 25 feet above the crashing waves below and has been around since the mid-1700s. Initially a route for fishermen to get to the little island to cast a line, at only 1 meter wide, it is narrow and very windy, so if you’re afraid of heights, it may not be the adventure for you. For everyone else, though, it’s a great photo op, but be prepared to wait as there is a single file line to cross on both sides.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the interlocking basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway are steeped in legend and geological wonder. Courtesy of Lindsey Cowley (top) and Tourism Ireland (bottom)
Embrace Your Inner Giant
One of Ireland’s most well-known and Instagrammable photo spots, the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a set of towering basalt columns that shoot out of the sea. Formed by volcanic eruption millions of years ago, they created nearly perfectly symmetrical hexagonal pillars that took the shape of a natural staircase. Legend has it the natural phenomenon was said to be created by Irish Giant Finn McCool. Pro Tip: Don’t miss the Dark Hedges while in the area. It’s one of Ireland’s lesser-known natural wonders and was also featured in Game of Thrones!
Sometimes called land sailing or sand yachting, blokarting is a three-wheeled kart is outfitted with a sail that’s propelled by wind, which you steer by hand. Accessible for all ages, it’s one of the fastest-growing land-based sailing activities and is truly a sport enjoyed by all generations. Note: Be aware the sport is heavily weather-dependent, so if the conditions aren’t perfect, they may not be able to go. You may want to consider having an alternate activity in mind to avoid disappointment.
Step into Westeros with a visit to Northern Ireland’s iconic Game of Thrones filming spots, from the haunting Dark Hedges to Castle Ward, the real-life Winterfell. Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland (left) and Game of Thrones Studio Tour (right)
Relive the Drama at Game of Thrones Filming Spots
Northern Ireland is home to more Game of Thrones locations than anywhere else in the world, with 11 alone on the grounds of Castle Ward. The farm was the location of Winterfell, the famous backdrop for the pilot and much of season one. Castle Ward is also where fans will find Whispering Wood scenes like Robb Stark’s Camp, the Baelor battle, and when Brienne confronts the Stark men. For the full experience, fans can also tour the studio in Banbridge to see costumes, props and sets from the popular HBO series.
Get an Adrenaline Rush E-Foiling / E-blading
Get with Strangford Lough Activity Centre to try one newest sports in the world on the largest saltwater loche in the UK, a partially landlocked arm of the sea. Basically a cross between motorized surfing and stand-up paddle boarding, a hand remote controls your speed as you lean side to side to steer and eventually catch air. There is a bit of a learning curve as you start on your stomach, work your way to your knees, and eventually stand up, but it is great fun and easy to learn in the calm waters protected from the swell.
The inspiration for CS Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia,The Mourne Mountains are an area of outstanding national beauty. If you’re up for a challenge, there’s an extreme cycling route and The Mourne Wall Challenge, a 31 km hike across 7 of the ten tallest peaks in Northern Ireland. For a more casual, unique saunter, you can also walk with an alpaca in tow through Cranfield Alpacas.
Leap from sea cliffs, scramble across rocks, and swim through sea caves—coasteering is Ireland’s most adrenaline-pumping way to explore its wild Atlantic coastline.
Try Coasteering
An exhilarating cross between rock climbing, cave exploring, and cliff jumping, coasteering is the best way to get up close and personal with Ireland’s rugged coast. Trips are tailored to the group’s comfort level, so while it may seem intimidating to jump off the jagged cliffs, try not to let it deter you – yolo, right?
Ireland’s Top Attractions – Must-See adventure Spots
Rising over 700 feet above the Atlantic, the Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most iconic natural wonder—offering jaw-dropping views, dramatic sea stacks, and a windswept sense of awe.Photos Courtesy of Chaosheng Zhang (bottom and left) and AirSwing Media (top)
Get Inspired at the Cliffs of Moher
With a million annual visitors, the Cliffs of Moher are Ireland’s most-visited natural attraction and a UNESCO-designated Geopark. Located in Galway Bay on the west coast, the unique landscape has inspired artists, musicians, and poets and intrigued scientists and geologists for generations. Walked the paved trails for epic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands, and don’t miss a visit to Burren National Park, Ireland’s smallest national park nearby. The area is known for its glacier-era limestone cliffs and 300 million miles of underground caves — some that you can tour.
Circle through 111 miles of Ireland’s most scenic landscapes on the Ring of Kerry, where coastal cliffs, emerald hills, and charming villages unfold around every bend.Courtesy Cahir Davitt / Davitt Photography (right and bottom)
Drive or Bike the Ring of Kerry
The most famous road trip or cycle route in Ireland, the 170km loop through the Ring of Kerry takes you from quaint seaside villages to towering castles along the dramatic coast, offering up some of the best photo spots in Ireland. Three stops not-to-miss include: Moll’s Gap, Torc Waterfall, and the Gap of Dunloe.
Rappel across the dramatic sea stacks of Cruit Island’s rugged coast—a bucket-list adventure for climbers looking to scale Ireland’s wild Atlantic edge with nothing but waves below and wind above. Fun fact: this photo won a national travel award!
Ascend the Sea Stacks at Cruit Island
The only place where granite hits the sea, there’s more climbing in Donegal than the rest of Ireland combined, and about 18,000 unclimbed routes within 10 minutes of where we set up shop. Unique Ascents is home to the world’s only professional sea stack climber who will help you rock climb, abseil (rappel), then ascend over the rocky cliffs for a bird’s eye view of the island.
After all that, we think you’ve more than earned a drink! Visit the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, Ireland’s most famous attraction. You can tour the factory, have a tasting lesson, and even get your face printed on a beer for the ultimate selfie…sorry stoutie. For another must-see spot to cheers with beer, Sean’s Bar in Athlone is the oldest pub in the world, which has been pouring pints since 900 AD (over 1100 years ago).
Warm your soul with a glass of smooth Irish whiskey—whether neat, in a tasting room, or straight from the source at one of Ireland’s legendary distilleries. Courtesy of Tourism Northern Ireland (top) and Hu O’Reilly (left)
Whet Your Whistle with an Irish Whiskey
For something a bit stronger, the Jameson Distillery Tour in Dublin is another must-do and one of Ireland’s finest exports. There are blending and cocktail classes, tastings, and bottle-your-own excursions. For the whiskey girls and whiskey guys, you can also follow the whole Irish whiskey trail, including a stop at the Old Bushmills Distillery in Antrim, the world’s oldest distillery. Slainte!
Ireland Adventures
Ireland has adventures in their DNA. Whether you’re kayaking beneath the towering Slieve League cliffs, catching your breakfast on a fishing tour in Portrush, or hiking the scenic trails of the Beara Peninsula, Ireland invites you to step beyond the guidebooks and explore from A-Z with experiences that stir the soul.
https://thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/ireland-adventures-ggnoads.jpg10171200Lohttps://thedownlo.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/downlo_logo-no-tagline.pngLo2022-09-29 23:51:002025-05-08 17:09:41The Best Ireland Adventures: 22 Things You Need on Your Emerald Isle Bucket List
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