Wonderful West: Two-mile-gate, Scarriff, Mountshannon

Who says you need to go to the coast to visit the beach? Lough Derg has three Blue Flags, and one of these is at Two-mile-gate, a little lakeside beach where you can dip your toe or go for a swim. Here, you can stop off to enjoy a picnic on the boats and just across the road is Ballycuggeran Woods, impressive oak wood with looped walks and panoramic views of Lough Derg from its highest point. Scarriff and Tuamgraney are beautiful historical villages with a marvellous woollen mill and chocolate factory - just two of the hidden gems you might find. Trips out on the lake are offered at Scarriff Harbour with Derg Boat Trips.

If you head for Mountshannon, there’s another Blue Flag beach here, but this time, travel out across the lake to

Holy Island with local guide Gerard Madden of Holy Island Tours. You can spend a half day here walking amongst its six ruined churches and round tower while keeping a lookout for the local white-tailed sea eagles, which were reintroduced to the area in 2012. This is a breathtaking experience, but bring wellies - it’s mucky in places!

Across from the harbour, you can go for a walk through the quirky and beautiful Aistear park in Mountshannon. Run through the maze and along the paths overlooking the lake, or travel along the labyrinth. The wildness and beauty of this area have attracted many skilled artists and provides a diverse range of crafts, paintings, bog oak sculptures and mosaics for gifts and take-home memories. Some of these artists offer workshops as well, so you might even pick up a skill!

For an alternative view, try discovering the great outdoors and beautiful nature of Lough Derg on horseback with a guided tour with An Sibin Riding Centre in Whitegate. Enjoy a combination of visiting the ancient Irish castles, and monastic ruins with a lovely guided trail ride through Irish bogs, fields and local farmland.