Off the beaten track - adventure activities around Dublin….

Dec. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- Rock-Climbing/Abseiling: Rock Climbing is one of the most exciting sports around. It is also one of the safest. You can quickly learn all about the equipment used, how to use them correctly, climbing techniques and also how to set up systems safely. You can do a 1 day rock climbs in Dublin or go climbing throughout the country in groups.

Sea-Kayaking: Ireland has a spectacular, rugged coastline. Often the best way to see it, is from the water. You can do a half day of kayaking or a night sea kayak. This can be done in numerous parts of the country, especially in county Kerry. You can even circumnavigate the island of Ireland if you are so inclined!

Horse riding: You can experience riding freely down the beaches in Kerry or through the hills in Wicklow. In Wicklow, which is close to Dublin, you can go riding on the fabulous Glendalough Estate, in the shadow of Scarr Mountain, or all around Lough Dan. Ireland is well-known for horse-breeding. If horses are your thing, check out the Irish National Stud farm close to Kildare town.

Bog-Snorkelling: This must be a once in a lifetime chance - to snorkel in a bog! The world championship was held in Ireland not so long ago. Who knows, you might be a natural! There are not many places in the world where you can do this, that’s for sure! This year the Irish Rugby Player Trevor Brennan tried it out and he said that this was the funniest thing that he has done in Ireland! Try it out in the Bog of Allen (County Kildare) and different parts of the country. Prepare to get down and dirty.

Learn to play the Bodhrán: Entertain (annoy?) every-one at home by learning how to play one of Ireland’s traditional instruments- the Bodhrán (“bohrun”) - a drum played in most authentic Irish bands. The training takes place in the privacy of a tutor’s house. After your lesson you will be taken down to a local pub where you may get the chance to join in and play with the professionals. If you are good enough, or maybe just try hard enough, you might just be treated for a pint or two for your efforts.

Seaweed Baths: After a long day of hiking/running/cycling - relax in the medically proven therapeutic seaweed baths in Strandhill, County Sligo. Good for arthritis, migraines, rheumatism, hangovers and just for making you feel good. Get away from world just for one hour and melt yourself into the warm water and seaweed and let it take all your troubles away!

Mountain Biking: Do some mountain biking in the Ballyhoura region, or in the Slieve Bloom mountain range. You can also do one day mountain biking trips in Wicklow, or on the internationally acclaimed Ballinastoe track. This is a fantastic sport! You will get to paddle through forests and over boardwalks. There are little jumps for the more experienced. Usually the gear is provided, including helmets, so no need to bring your own.

Take a Black Taxi in Belfast: A bit further afield, about 2 hours away from Dublin, Belfast is waiting to be discovered. The best way to experience the so-called “troubles” era is to take an informative tour with a local taxi – called a “Black cab tour” See the peace wall, colourful murals and visit the estates where the loyalists and republicans live side by side. In this way you really see what the troubles were like and hear it from the locals themselves.

Guinness factory tour: For those who have been there, done that, sold the T-shirt already. Have a go at pint or two of Guinness, for that after action-satisfaction feel. Taste the creamy mothers milk that we call Guinness and live through the amazing story of the Guinness family and the evolution of the brand that is internationally recognised. It is said, that even on the moon, Neil Armstrong was dying for a pint of the black stuff! Anyway, you can’t come to Dublin and not go to the Guinness factory. It is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eifel tower. Shame on ye!

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We run outdoor and cultural tours of Ireland. We are based in Dublin but tour nationwide. Some of our day tours include 1 day tours to the cliffs of Moher and the Giants Causeway, http://www.cliffsofmohertours.ie and http://www.giantscausewaytours.ie