Ireland is a world-class playground for adventure holidays , writes Padraic Woods- so if you fancy becoming a surfer, caver, biker or boarder, here's all you need to know
THE PHRASE "adventure activities" may conjure up images of white-water rafting in New Zealand, surfing in Australia or rock climbing in South America.
What you may not realise is that Ireland stacks up with the best of them as a playground for adventure enthusiasts - we really have it all.
I've spent the last year travelling the length and breadth of the country in search of the country's top adventure activities. Some are physically demanding while others are more relaxed and allow you time to appreciate the great outdoors.
I've climbed Ireland's highest mountain, kayaked around the isolated islands of west Cork, explored the rugged coastline while "coasteering", surfed some of Europe's best waves, paraglided above Mount Leinster, horse-trekked through picturesque Achill Island, kitesurfed on the shores of our capital, mountain-biked on one of Europe's newest and best biking trails, reached high speeds land sailing in a blokart, cycled one of the world's most famous coastal roads, watched a fin whale feeding off the coast of Cork - along with many more action-packed adventures.
1 Hillwalking, Carrauntoohil, Co KerryCarrauntoohil in the Macgillycuddy Reeks is the highest peak in Ireland at 1,040m. On a hot summer's evening we set off from Cronin's yard (www.croninsyard.com) on Brother O'Shea's gully route, one of the longer but more scenic routes up Carrauntoohil. After a relatively easy start the route quickly became a lot steeper; the sweat started pumping and the shirts came off. The route passed high above Lough Gouragh and Lough Callee and, eventually, to Ireland's highest lake, Cummeenoughter. After a demanding final stretch we reached the cross at the top and absorbed the spectacular view.
www.corkkerry.ie.
Best time to go June to September.
More information about hillwalking at www.mountaineering.ie. For other routes up Carrauntoohil, go to www.kerrymountain rescue.ie
2 Caving in Belcoo, Co FermanaghCaving involves crawling around in mud, getting wet, sometimes climbing using ropes, often squeezing through small and dark places. Marius Leonard, an experienced cave guide, opened my claustrophobic eyes to this subterranean adventure activity at the Corralea Activity Centre in Belcoo. He provided appropriate clothing, safety gear and instruction before taking us on a fascinating trip through both wet and dry caves in Fermanagh and Cavan.
ProviderCorralea Activity Centre (00-44-28-66386123, www.activityireland.com).
CostA half day of caving costs £26 (about €33) per person, with a minimum of seven, or £60 per person for a group of two.
AccommodationThe Corralea Activity Centre offers self-catering cottages.
Best time to goThe caves may be flooded after heavy rainfall. Contact the Corralea Activity Centre to check conditions.
More information about caving at www.caving.ie
3 Rock climbing, Dalkey Quarry, Co DublinWe met with our guide Gary on a sunny September morning in the car park of the impressive Dalkey Quarry for a one-day beginners' rock-climbing course. The day began with a climb designed to teach us basic skills and advanced quickly to harder, more physically demanding climbs.
ProviderAverage prices are between €60 and €100 per day. A one-day beginners' course with Adventure Agency Ireland (www.adventure.ie) costs €80. All equipment is provided.
Accommodationwww.dalkeyvillage.com.
Best time to goSpring to autumn.
More about rock climbing www.mountaineering.ie or www.climbing.ie
4 Sea kayaking, Castle Island, Co CorkThere wasn't another person in sight as we kayaked the short distance from Schull harbour to the island's pier, situated just below the castle ruins. The conditions were perfect, the sea was flat, the sun shining and there was little wind.
We unpacked the kayaks, pitched the tent and prepared the barbecue. By 11pm the setting sun had cast a beautiful red glow across the sky. As we made our way around the island in the kayaks a shoal of mackerel created a boiling effect in the water around us, and the ruins of a nearby cottage formed a perfect silhouette against the backdrop of the red sky. This trip will be hard to beat.
ProviderSchull Watersport Centre (028-28554, www.schullwatersports.com), and Skibbereen's Atlantic Sea Kayaking (028-21058, www.atlanticseakayaking.com) offer a range of different kayaking tours.
AccommodationSchull is popular during the summer months so it may be wise to book your accommodation ahead. www.schull.ie/stay.htm.
Best time to go Any time between May and August.
More about sea kayaking at www.canoe.ie
5 Surfing, Co Sligo and Co ClareAlong the west coast of Ireland, the powerful Atlantic Ocean has carved out some of Europe's best surf spots. The waves of Co Sligo were our choice. Easkey's famous reef break proved too much of a challenge for us beginners so we warmed up by surfing the beach break in nearby Ennischrone.
Our first venture into west-coast waves gave us a taste for more so we drove south towards some of the busiest seaside towns in Co Clare. The turning tide and crowded beach at Lahinch dictated that we move on to Spanish Point. As the waves got bigger, so too did the crowds.
ProviderThere are numerous surf schools in both Co Sligo and Co Clare. Sligo: www.seventhwavesurf school.com, www.perfect daysurfing.com, www.strandhill surfschool.com, www.nwsurf school.com, Clare: www.lahinchsurfschool.com, www.benssurfclinic.com, www.surfschool.tv.
AccommodationIn Easkey try LJ's hostel (086-8154400), and in Clare try Lahinch hostel (065-7081040).
Best time to goSwells are best between September and May.
More about surfing at www.isasurf.ie
6 Mountain biking, Ballyhoura, Co LimerickThe Ballyhoura mountain-bike trail boasts a grand total of 90km of purpose-built single track, consisting of three world-class graded trails. This is the largest mountain-biking area of its kind in western Europe.
We were met by some experienced riders. As we made our way along the trails, they careered down the single track at breakneck speed, paying no heed to the mud slicks, rocks, roots and tree trunks that formed challenging obstacles along the path. We were instantly hooked.
ProviderThe centre offers a range of services, including car parking, bike wash, showers and toilets. Use of the trails are free. Bikes can be hired from www.xct1.com.
AccommodationFor accommodation in Ardpatrick try Castlemoor B&B, 061-331802, or Ballyhoura Country View B&B, 086-6048993. Beach Grove, 061-355493, provides self-catering accommodation.
Best time to goGood all year round.
More about mountain biking at www.cyclingireland.ie or www.ballyhouramtb.com
7 Kitesurfing, Dollymount strand, Co DublinI took my first kitesurfing lesson on Dollymount beach. My instructor, Fransoir, began by explaining water currents, wind directions, obstacles to be aware of and how to prepare, launch and land the kite safely.
This is important information - the power in the kite is incredible.
Kitesurfing is still relatively new to Ireland, but with a good selection of safe beaches - and no shortage of wind - the sport is quickly gaining popularity. Provider Pure Magic (01-4875157, www.puremagic.ie).
CostLessons cost €135 for one session, €240 for two and €395 for four.
AccommodationCheck out the accommodation section on www.visitdublin.com or www.discoverireland.ie.
Best time to goPure Magic offers lessons every windy day, beginning early March and ending in early December. Ring ahead to check conditions.
More about kitesurfing at www.kitesurf.ie
8 Cycling the coastline, Co AntrimThe scenery provided welcome respite for the first leg of this 70km cycle. We peddled past sandy beaches, the famous Dunluce Castle and the Bushmills whiskey distillery before reaching our first stop, the Giant's Causeway. Later, as we made our way further along the scenic coastline, we spotted Dunseverick Castle, White Park Bay, and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which definitely warrants a visit.
ProviderBikes can be rented from G McAlister Cycles, 16 Glenleary Road, Coleraine (00-44-28-70344704); from the Bushmills Bike Company (00-44-28-20730262); and from The Shop, 140 Main Street, Bushmills (00-44-79-66913682).
AccommodationTry Cul-erg House B&B, 9 Hillside, Portstewart (00-44-28- 70836610), or Juniper Hill caravan park, 70 Ballyreagh Road, Portstewart (0044-28-70832023).
Best time to goThis is a busy tourist road and traffic can be quite heavy, especially during the summer months. Weekdays in the late spring or early autumn are probably best.
More about cycling at www.ncn-ni.com
9 Mountain boarding, Mourne Mountains, Co Down"King of the Dirt" is the title you may find yourself aspiring to after a few sessions with Gary Parr in the Surfin' Dirt mountain boarding centre. My lesson began with the obligatory kitting-out in safety gear, then an introductory session on the nursery slope. A mountain board is essentially a snowboard on wheels. The beginners' lesson follows a series of progressions on the lower slopes. After a few lessons boarders move onto higher, more difficult slopes, then jumps, rails and ramps can be introduced.
ProviderSurfin' Dirt (www.surfindirt.co.uk).
Cost Training sessions cost £15 (about €18) and last for three hours. Prices include board and safety gear. Returning riders pay £7 for one hour and £12 for two hours. A seven-hour all-day hire session costs £25. Board owners can ride all day for £10.
Accommodationwww.mournemountains.com.
Best time to goThe track is open all year round. Bad weather can stop play, so phone ahead to check conditions.
More about Mountain boarding at www.surfindirt.co.uk
10 High-ropes course, Leenane, Co GalwayWith rope courses, challenges involve climbing wooden poles, traversing cables and monkey rings and ropes strung between high wooden platforms or trees.
The first challenge involved a lot of teamwork; four people had to climb a six-metre-high telegraph pole, one after the other. All four climbers had to stand together on top of the pole on a small platform that, realistically, could only hold two people. The next challenge was called "leap of faith", and involved climbing an even higher telegraph pole in pairs and jumping simultaneously from the top of the pole to a trapeze pole positioned about six feet away. The last challenge was to climb Ireland's highest outdoor climbing wall. Three graded climbs allowed us to choose our own level.
ProviderKillary Adventure Centre (095-43411, www.killaryadventure.com).
CostA three-hour session on the ropes course costs €45 for adults, and €28 for children. A day of activity (10am-5pm) costs €80 for adults and €45 for kids.
AccommodationKillary Adventure Centre (K2), www.killary.com, 095-43411, has accommodation for groups and individuals coming to Killary to take part in adventure activities.
Best time to goGood all year round.
• There is a list of high ropes course providers throughout Ireland at www.30irishadventures.com.
• All of these activities feature in Padraic Woods's new book, 30 Irish Adventures, published by Mercier Press, which gives a personal account of 30 of Ireland's top adventure activities. The book is available in bookshops around the country at €19.99,
www.30irishadventures.com