Ireland (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Fionn Davenport [9]
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TAILORED TRIPS
ADRENALINE ADVENTURES
If you like your Irish visits served with a shot of adrenaline, start nice and easy with some sail-powered beach buggying, better known as blokarting Click here, on the beach in Tramore, County Waterford. Alternatively, test your skills with some quad biking Click here in Borris, County Carlow, before heading west to County Kerry, where you can engage in a spot of horse riding Click here in Dingle. Pick the pace up and take flight with some white-knuckle kitesurfing Click here in Castlegregory. Next, stay firmly on the water and learn the difference between goofy and regular with a surf lesson Click here in Lahinch, County Clare – you’ll need the lessons later on! Get back on dry land and cross the wilderness of Connemara by hiring a mountain bike in Clifden or Inishbofin. Afterwards, head for Glassillaun Beach, County Galway, to go scuba diving Click here in some of the country’s clearest waters, full of colourful marine life brought north by the Gulf Stream. Down the road in Leenane, scramble down on foot to Killary Harbour to sail its sheltered waters in a catamaran Click here. Finally, try out your newly acquired skills and surf on world-class, near-perfect 3m tubes at Bundoran, County Donegal.
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IRELAND OF THE ANCIENTS
Begin at the stunning Neolithic tombs of Newgrange Click here and Knowth Click here in County Meath, in the heart of Brú na Bóinne (the Boyne Palace), where the legendary Irish hero Cúchulainn was conceived. Nearby, stand at the top of the celebrated Hill of Tara Click here, a site of immense folkloric significance and seat of the high kings of Ireland until the 11th century. Across the plain is the Hill of Slane Click here, where St Patrick lit a fire in 433 to proclaim Christianity throughout the land. Venture west to Kells Click here on the road travelled by Queen Medbh herself in the Irish Stone Age epic, the Táin Bó Cúailnge, pausing to explore the monastic ruins and high crosses before continuing to County Roscommon. Just outside Tulsk village is Cruachan Aí Click here, the most important Celtic site in Europe, with 60 scattered megalithic tombs and burial sites. Head south to Clonmacnoise Abbey Click here, the 6th-century monastic site in County Offaly. Continue south through the heart of the country to the impressive monastic site that sits atop the craggy Rock of Cashel Click here in County Tipperary. Turn east and head through County Kilkenny, stopping at the Cistercian Jerpoint Abbey Click here, at the pretty village of Thomastown. From here, travel northeast to Wicklow and magnificent Glendalough Click here, where the substantial remains of a monastic settlement linger by two lakes – it’s as atmospheric a site as you’ll ever find.
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CHILDREN ON BOARD
Ireland has plenty to offer kids beyond the dubious pleasures of a visit to a museum under the promise, ‘you’ll appreciate this someday.’ Get them surfing Click here the waves in Dingle, County Kerry. Let them get up close and personal with abandoned beasts of burden at a donkey sanctuary Click here in County Cork. If you want to give them a history lesson, make it fun at the Irish National Heritage Park Click here, just outside of Wexford Town. Explore their inner Viking with a Viking tour Click here in Athlone, County Westmeath, or explore the ruins and assorted wonderments at Lough Key Forest Park Click here in Boyle, County Roscommon. In nearby County Mayo, watch the kids get harrrdy in the Pirate Adventure Park Click here at Westport House. Cross the border and go back in time to the 18th and 19th centuries in the Ulster American Folk Park Click here, outside Omagh in County Tyrone. Then return to the 21st century – and beyond – at Belfast’s fun-filled interactive science centre W5 Click here.
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THE IRISH PANTRY
There’s some great eatin’ in Ireland these days, with culinary