The island of Ireland is renowned for its stunning natural beauty, iconic landmarks and rich cultural heritage. Yet many visitors only scratch the surface of what it has to offer. Here are some unforgettable experiences to tempt your clients off-the-beaten-track.
1. Emerald Outdoors activities, Kenmare
Active clients? Emerald Outdoors, based in unspoilt Kenmare Bay offers a wide range of land and water adventures from axe throwing and clay shooting to paddle boarding.
For something special, recommend the Night Kayak Trip. As darkness falls, your clients will paddle out under a canopy of stars and watch the water sparkle with bioluminescence, at one with nature.
2. Treaty City Brewery, Limerick
In the heart of Limerick’s medieval quarter, make sure your beer-loving clients drop in on Treaty City Brewery.
A cornerstone of the city’s thriving craft beer scene, it’s committed to locally sourced ingredients and innovative techniques. Book a tour for your clients and they’ll not only learn about the beer making process and get to taste some of the wares but also hear tales of Limerick’s history.
3. The Gobbins cliff path
Perched amid the wild beauty of Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route is The Gobbins, a special attraction for thrill-seekers and nature lovers alike.
This adventurous cliff-path at Islandmagee, County Antrim was designed by an Edwardian railway engineer and enhanced during its 2016 redevelopment.
Clients taking the tour here can expect to see dramatic mountain ranges, rockpools brimming with life, and hidden sea caves.
4. Kerry Greenways
The Ring of Kerry driving route is famous but there’s a deeper way to explore the beautiful local landscapes. The Kerry Greenways follow the paths of an old railway line and can be tackled by foot or bike.
A standout suggestion is the 13.6km greenway from Tralee to Fenit, which will treat your clients to views of Fenit Harbour and Mount Brandon.
Those up for a longer distance can take the 53km route from Listowel to Limerick through the kind of lush river valleys and woodlands that give the Emerald Isle its name.
Along the way they’ll discover golden beaches, ancient heritage sites and charming towns with great food and welcoming accommodation.
5. Sauna & Sea, Portstewart
For a memorable wellness experience, send your clients to Portstewart Strand in Northern Ireland, one of the North Coast’s most picturesque beaches.
Here they can soak in those stunning coastal views while unwinding in an authentic wood-fired Finnish sauna, then follow up with an invigorating dip in the sea.
It’s a unique way de-stress while connecting with nature and a sure holiday highlight.
6. Killarney National Park photography tour
Where better for clients to hone their photography skills when touring the Emerald Isle than Ireland’s oldest national park?
Stretching across 26,000 acres, Killarney National Park is a visual feast of mountains, lakes, woodlands and waterfalls.
Specialist tours here combine tips on technique with leisurely walks through the landscape. Photographers of all levels can choose varied lengths, from two hours to two days.
7. Boat House Gallery and Glass Workshop
A stone’s throw from the iconic Giant’s Causeway, Boat House Gallery is a souvenir centre with a difference, nestled on Innisfree Farm.
Your clients can get hands on here, creating glass art using the intricate Tiffany technique and old stained glass sourced from a local church.
When they’ve made their unique souvenir, there’s art to browse and buy from six resident creatives.
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8. King John’s Castle
Limerick’s most iconic landmark is King John’s Castle at the heart of the city’s Medieval Quarter, where 800 years of dramatic history are brought to life.
Your clients can take an immersive tour with a costumed guide, try their hand at Medieval games in the courtyard and learn more about local sieges and warfare through interactive audio-visual displays.
9. Foynes Flying Boat Museum
Just outside Limerick, Foynes Flying Boat Museum is a unique showcase of the pioneering days of transatlantic passenger travel, set inside the original Foynes Airport Terminal Building.
Early aviation and the maritime history of the River Shannon and Port of Foynes are covered, besides other local claims to fame, from the invention of Irish Coffee to Maureen O’Hara’s glittering Hollywood career.
10. Wild Water Adventures social swim
If your clients are sea swimmers, they shouldn’t miss the chance to join Fenit’s Social Swim this summer. Organised by Wild Water Adventures, the event runs between April and October in sheltered Tralee Bay with the Slieve Mish Mountains as a backdrop.
The site is 10 kilometres from Tralee at the end of the Tralee-Fenit Greenway (see number 4, above), so the Social Swim makes a fitting finale. As the name suggests, it draws swimmers of all abilities together in a jopositive atmosphere.
