World Country Guide

Sport & Activities

Horseriding
Equestrianism is one of Ireland’s principal tourist attractions and facilities for horse riding are found all over the country. A full list of stables and riding holidays is available from Filte Ireland (see Contact Addresses section). The principal racecourses are at Leopardstown, Fairyhouse (Irish Grand National every year), The Curragh (Irish Sweeps Derby) and Punchestown (an international cross-country and three-day-event riding course).

Hiking
Ireland’s sparsely populated countryside makes it ideal for walkers of all levels. The mild climate means that the mountains are accessible all year round. The more mountainous areas are towards the coast, which makes for dramatic seascapes, especially by the Atlantic Ocean. More adventurous walkers may want to tackle Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil (1041m/3415ft) in Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, in the far southwest of the country. Other notable mountains include Croagh Patrick (765m/2510ft) near Westport in Co Mayo, a holy mountain and, on the last Sunday in July, a place of pilgrimage. Its distinctive conical summit is silhouetted against the horizon for miles, acting as a beacon to pilgrims. St Patrick is supposed to have driven all the snakes out of Ireland from this mountain. The 12 Bens in Connemara offer lovely hill walking, with views over towards the jagged coastline. The beautiful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains is barely one hour’s drive from Dublin. There are 28 national waymarked ways in the country, including the Kerry Way, the Beara Way and the Wicklow Way. Tailor-made tours with a local guide can be arranged through Walking Cycling Ireland (e-mail: info@irelandwalkingcycling.com; website: www.irelandwalkingcycling.com). There are many gentle walks for the less energetic.

Cycling
Although some of Ireland’s coastal parts are mountainous, the sheltered valleys and the gently undulating central plain are excellent for easy cycling. Roads are well-maintained and most are very quiet. Inland, the landscape is dotted with small farms, and one is never too far away from some form of civilisation if one requires it. There is a surprisingly high number of pre-celtic monuments in lonely places; owing to old Irish superstitions, these were not cleared away when the land was farmed. The Boyne Valley alone contains over 300.

Fishing
Being blessed with miles of rivers and streams and over 5500km (3500 miles) of coastline, Ireland offers excellent fishing. There is no closed season for freshwater angling, but March to October are the most suitable months for bream, rudd, roach, dace and perch. For coarse angling, there are new regulations regarding share certificates; further details can be obtained from Filte Ireland (see Contact Addresses section). Game fishing requires a licence and, generally, also a permit. The brown trout season is usually from mid-February or March until 30 September. Open salmon season is 1 January to 7 September, according to district. The best sea trout period is from June to 30 September or 12 October in some areas. Salmon licences/permits also cover sea trout. Along the Atlantic coast, sea angling is possible from piers, rocks, in the surf or during a day’s boat fishing excursion (which can be organised locally).

Golf
There are 350 golf courses run by the Golfing Union of Ireland, and many people come to Ireland specifically for a golfing holiday, where the course rates are relatively cheap compared with the UK. The courses are set both by the sea and inland – two-thirds are 18-hole.

Other
For those travelling in pursuit of culture or in order to discover their roots, Ireland has much to offer. There are summer schools all over the country, where it is possible to learn Gaelic and to pursue other courses in Irish culture. Courses available include archaeological walks around Celtic sites, classes in traditional Irish music, courses on literary figures such as Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats and Gerard Manley Hopkins, and on popular culture and storytelling. A list is available from Filte Ireland.
Accommodation can be arranged with local families, and programmes of entertainment are laid on for the evening. These courses attract participants from all over the world. Genealogical centres exist widely, and will help those who come to trace their family history. Filte Ireland (see Contact Addresses section) publishes a free booklet called Tracing your Ancestors. They can put visitors in touch with the appropriate centre. The National Library of Ireland offers a free genealogy advisory service run by a panel of genealogists and an expert member of staff, which provides visitors with an overview of genealogical records and gives advice on specific family research. Further information is available (tel: (1) 603 0200; fax: (1) 676 6690; e-mail: info@nli.ie; website: www.nli.ie).
Pilgrimages to and within Ireland are burgeoning and visits to religious sites such as the Knock Marian Shrine in Co Mayo are increasing in popularity. The national sports are Gaelic football and hurling.