Go to a festival
Mad about music? Fanatical about food? Crazy about culture? Ireland has a plethora of festivals livening up the streets all year – but when the sun comes out, we take full advantage! From the
Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival,
Sea Sessions Surf and Music Festival, eccentric
Camp Dalfest, and
A Taste of West Cork, we simply love to celebrate just about anything. Don’t believe us? Check out
Puck Fair, where we crown a goat king of the village
Take a road trip
The beauty of any trip to Ireland is the sheer variety packed into this tiny green dot in the Atlantic! Perhaps the best way to see as much as possible is by renting a car and going your own way: take in the
Giant’s Causeway and
Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge on the
Causeway Coastal Route. Fall in love with 5,000 years of history among the castles and characters of
Ireland’s Ancient East. Or explore all 2,500km of the world’s longest defined coastal touring route on the
Wild Atlantic Way. Trust us: the welcoming smiles of the locals make every village feel like you’re coming home.
Go camping
Across the island, caravan parks and glamping hubs are hugely popular. As well as being convenient, they offer a happy middle ground between having a roof over your head and pitching a canvas on sticks. There’s nothing quite like waking up on a mountainside with little but a sleeping bag and a zip between you and the open air! For those less enamoured by being at one with nature, check out the
Bubble Domes at Finn Lough in County Fermanagh: all the beauty, with none of the bugs!
Embrace the surf
Without a doubt, the waves of the west coast put the “wild” in Wild Atlantic Way. The special stretch reaching from Donegal town down through counties
Sligo and
County Mayo, is the stuff of dreams for those addicted to the froth and foam of a day spent on the water. Further away, the
Cliffs of Moher, County Clare; East Strand and Portrush in County Antrim; or Brittas Bay, County Wicklow are all thrill-filled spots for brave adventurers. Check out one of the many surf schools along the way for the best local tips.
Island hop
From saintly
Boa and Devenish in County Fermanagh to rugged
Rathlin in County Antrim and the movie star
Skelligs, County Kerry, Ireland’s islands are like nowhere else on earth – and summertime creates the perfect conditions for hopping in a boat and bobbing across the waves to visit. Walk along trails hewn by long-departed Blasket Islanders, check out modern island life amidst the dry-stone walls of the lively
Aran Islands, or take a trip in Ireland’s only cable car across the water to
Dursey Island off the coast of County Cork.
Go horseracing on the beach
Popular in many locations across the island, racing on the flat, golden strands along our coast has been a fun family tradition for generations.
Carrowniskey in County Mayo has seen a resurgence in interest after 28 years without a race, so expect something truly special when you visit. The
Laytown Races in County Meath are perhaps the most famous and beloved, having hosted pounding hooves and high-spirited visitors since 1868!