GOOD AS NEW
From sea safaris to cycle loops and pampered pooches, here are just some of the fresh experiences to try along the Wild Atlantic Way
Whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, a nature lover or simply someone who thinks they’ve seen and done all the country has to offer, there’s always something new to experience.
At the end of last summer, Galway city welcomed the arrival Wildlands Adventure Park – one of the country’s largest aerial, woodland trekking and ziplining courses. Other outdoor activities at this energetic adventure destination include archery, tag archery, disc golf, orienteering, field archery, forest trails, cycling and bush craft. Indoors, there are multiple climbing walls, adventure play, a sports hall as well as yoga and wellness.
Lockdown saw many of us welcome a new furry member to the family – and holiday time doesn’t mean having to leave your four-legged friend behind. There are plenty of luxury hotels offering pooch-friendly experiences and with its awesome beaches, the Wild Atlantic Way is a special treat for dog and human alike.
The lakeshore suites at the likes of
Harvey’s Point Hotel in Co. Donegal come complete with pet-friendly facilities.
In Galway, you’ll find The Twelve – home to toys, doggie bowls and a luxury pet suite as part of its Pampered Pet Program.
The Clew Bay Bike Trail is a new bike and ferry route looping magical Clew Bay in Co. Mayo, curving around the coastline, incorporating both Clare Island and Achill Island. New ferry sailings connect the islands on Wednesdays and at weekends for July and August. This glorious route runs through some of Mayo’s most attractive seaside towns including Westport, Louisburgh and Mulranny over a distance of 81km, with an optional 10km loop on Clare Island. The total trail distance, including ferries, is 105km.
Also fresh among the attractions for 2021 is a new two-boat service in scenic Co. Cork.
Dursey Boat Trips, leaving from Garnish Pier, has been set up to open up a safari experience of the wildlife, inlets, coves and rocks that lie around the Beara Peninsula.
Coming soon …
More new attractions are also on their way in the Wild Atlantic way as part of a €73million tourism investment. Fort Dunree and Head in Co. Donegal will feature Ireland’s first funicular cable railway. The one-of-a-kind attraction will offer a thrilling ascent to the high fort amid incredible 360-degree vistas. A dramatic glass walkway at the site will jut over the waters of Lough Swilly, providing spectacular views.
Westport House and Gardens Estate in Co. Mayo is also being reimagined to provide a multi-layered, multi-day experience. The new attraction on the 300-acre site will allow visitors to explore ancient Irish rituals and Ireland’s connections to the land as told through a series of wild and natural spaces.