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HIKE the Causeway Coast Way. The hiking trail is 51km, but don’t let that figure put you off.
There are many subsections or shorter distances in the trail that you can go for. Starting at Ballycastle, Co Antrim, and ending in Portstewart, Co Derry, the route will take you along some breath-taking scenery.
From a sandy three-mile Whitepark Bay Beach, along the Giant’s Causeway and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge – there is an array of attractions to visit on the way. If you do fancy going for the entire route, it will take you two or three days. Road trip anybody?
EXPLORE Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Co Roscommon.
This park is brimming with things to explore and will make for a good weekend away with family or friends. Get immersed in nature by going on the tree canopy walk that will give you a bird’s-eye view over the park, or take a boat trip on Lough Key.
If you are looking for even more excitement there are 900m of ziplines that will surely get your heart racing. The park also does orienteering, where participants follow detailed routes that navigate through different terrains. This activity is also available for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility.
VISIT Wicklow Gaol.
With the introduction of a virtual reality tour, you will get to fully experience what this prison looked like in the 1700s. Be prepared for a scare, as one of the ghosts appears in the room during the virtual tour.
Other attractions in Wicklow Goal include an audio-visual tour with holographic displays, a replica prison ship and life-sized mannequins. There is lots to learn at this attraction, ranging from the Famine years, the Civil War and the 1798 rebellion. Night tours are also available.
CYCLE the Old Rail Trail in Co Westmeath.
This 42km-long route between Athlone and Mullingar will boast with the beauty of the Midlands. It follows the path of the old railway network that once connected Dublin to Galway and Sligo.
Along the way, you are not only surrounded by the lush green of the countryside, but can also make a stop at various tourist attractions. Make a detour to see the Hill of Uisneach, Ireland’s mythological centre, and take a moment to appreciate the restored Castletown Station. There are also smaller sections if you don’t want to cycle the full route.
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