Travel bible puts the Forty Foot swim on bucket list

Its new Atlas Of Adventure is the ultimate adrenaline encyclopaedia of the most thrilling outdoor experiences from more than 150 countries around the world, ranging from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.

Ireland is singled out in the book as a ‘top destination for coastal adventures, testing endurance events and multi-day walks’ with the reward of ‘end-of-the-day pints’.

‘Ireland is defined by the sea,’ says Lonely Planet. ‘Huge waves, towering cliffs and long beaches attract elite surfers, sea paddlers, climbers, kiters and open-water swimmers.’

In among chapters on ascending Ecuador’s spectacular Avenue of Volcanoes and ice-skating around Stockholm’s archipelago is a recommendation on wild swimming in Ireland – with the Dublin’s famous Forty Foot given a special mention along with the annual River Liffey Swim which took place over the weekend.

‘Ireland has a long tradition and a contemporary enthusiasm for open-water swimming,’ the guidebook reads.

‘The Forty Foot on the edge of Dublin Bay is mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses and still attracts sea swimmers year-round while each August the capital’s Liffey River hosts the world’s secondoldest continuously swum open race.’

The Atlas Of Adventure also lauded Tourism Ireland’s phenomenally successful Wild Atlantic Way which is attracting bus- loads of tourists to the country’s coastal byways.

‘In a country, less than 500km long, the Irish have conjured up the innovative 2,500km Wild Atlantic Way, which follows the coast-hugging roads and boreens (lanes) of the west coast to string together adventure-activity outfitters, spell-binding seascapes and welcoming bars,’ said the Lonely Planet in the Atlas Of Adventure.

And the influential travel company said one of the biggest draws to water-sports enthusiasts is the Atlantic surf.

‘Ireland has Europe’s biggest, best and most varied surf, and with a warm wetsuit you could spend a lifetime exploring its wild, rocky coastline. From Donegal in the north, all the way down the west coast, past County Cork to Wexford, this indented, swellbattered coastline delivers waves to suit everyone from wild-eyed grommets [young surfer] to charging big-wave riders.’

But it singled out the ultimate wave created at certain times of the year at the Cliffs of Moher when conditions are just right. ‘The “perfect” big wave is Aileen’s, a 12m monster off the colossal Cliffs of Moher in County Clare.’

The country was also mentioned as a ‘world-class sea-kayaking destination’ as well as being great for climbing, cycling and hiking opportunities.

‘Ireland is defined by the sea’