154 Outdoors- Other to Explore in Ireland

The Arigna Mining Experience is a centre dedicated to the coal mining history of Arigna over a period of 400 years, local geology and coal, as well as new forms of renewable energy. It is Ireland's first museum dedicated to coal mining. Experience what it was like for yourself on a guided tour underground with a former coal miner who brings the history of the coal mine and previous iron mine to life.

The Atlantic Drive is without doubt an awe inspiring and dramatic experience. Starting from Mulranny this drive takes you along a very rugged coast, dramatic rough seas and cliffs. Some of the local roads that follow the coastline of Achill, and which boast some of the most spectacular views of the area, have been designated ‘The Atlantic Drive’.

The Wild Atlantic Way on Ireland’s west coast leads you through one of the world’s most dramatic coastal landscapes, a landscape on the edge of Europe that has shaped the development of its people, communities and settlements. It’s a place to experience nature at its wildest, a place to explore the history of the Gaels and their religion; a place to experience great events, great food and drink, great music and the craic.

Avondale House, birthplace and home of Charles Stewart Parnell , is set in a magnificent 500 acre forest park near Rathdrum in County Wicklow. The river Avonmore flows through the park on its way towards the Irish Sea. The House is now a museum. This interesting Georgian house was built in 1777, and contains fine original plasterwork and the Parnell family furniture.

Bád Eddie or Eddie’s boat are the names given to the old wreck at Magherclogher beach, Bunbeg Donegal. Cara Na Mara is the official title of the abandoned fishing vessel ran into trouble during stormy seas in the early 1970s. The boat featured in the 1985 Clanad and Bono video. Eddie’s boat was the reason for the one hour journey from where we were staying and it was certainly worth the effort.

The Ballybay Wetlands Centre is an impressive multi-purpose venue set in the heart of co Monaghan with sweeping views of the surrounding wetlands. Wetlands are considered to be the most biological diverse of all eco systems serving as home to a wide range of plants and animal life. Many species of birds,fish and animals and amphibians rely on wetland habitat for breeding,foraging and cover.

Ballygilgan is a national nature reserve of approximately 73 acres the Maugherow Peninsula in County Sligo, Ireland. It is home to Ireland’s biggest mainland flock of barnacle geese. The Reserve is west of the village of Carney on the shore of Drumcliff Bay, Special Area of Conservation, between the road and Lissadell Strand.

Possibly one of the most intriguing sites in Carlingford and Cooley Peninsula. Often referred to as the Famine Village. It is a Deserted Village located on the South Commons, People often wonder how old it is and was it a famine village. These were the arable plots: the families probably really lived off the 450 acres of commonly held grazing that surrounded them.

Barnesmore Gap is that big opening between Croaghconnelagh and Croaghonagh mountains . Here in this very fine mountain pass the traveller is absolutely shut in between these two great hills as he wends his way along a really excellent road that traverses the gap. It is an area of complex geology, but its main feature is granite formed in the Devonian period, 400million ears ago. The gap held glaciers in the Last Glacial Period flowing to the Atlantic through what is now Donegal Bay.

The Barrow Way is a 114km long distance walking trail along the River Barrow in the South East of Ireland. It rises in the Slieve Bloom Mountains in the southern midlands, and flows to join its two ‘sisters’, the Nore and the Suir, before flowing into the Celtic Sea at Waterford Harbour. It is designated as a National Waymarked Trail by the National Trails Office of the Irish Sports Council and is managed by Waterways Ireland.

Benwee Head is located in a remote area in the northwest of county Mayo. Over 250 metres high cliffs rise above the Atlantic floods. This Dicovering Point offers some of the most dramatic coastal scenery on the Wild Atlantic Way and commands spectacular views on majestic cliffs, rugged headlands, rocky coves and jagged stacks.

This is an international centre for peatland education, conservation and research run by the Irish Peatland Conservation Council. Peatlands are made up of dead plant material and they are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Raised bogs have been growing in Ireland for the past 10,000 years.

Clara Bog is the finest remaining example of a raised bog in Ireland today. The nature reserve is home to many protected wildlife species. The site is protected under a number of national and international designations including National Nature Reserve, a Special Area of Conservation, Ramsar Wetland Site, Natura 2000 site, and Natural Heritage Area.

Brandon Point is situated at the foot of Mount Brandon. It is a popular bird and sea life watching spot on the Dingle Peninsula. It is the second highest peak after the MacGillycuddy Reeks. Brandon Point is 40km west of Tralee and 20km north of Dingle.

The Broadmeadow viaduct is a rail bridge carrying the main Dublin to Belfast railway across the estuary of the Broadmeadow River, about 13 kilometres north of Dublin, Ireland. Just north of Malahide village, it is approximately 180 metres (600 feet) long and is a section of a longer crossing constructed as an embankment.

Brú na Bóinne is one of the most important prehistoric megalithic sites in Europe drawing thousands of visitors daily. Each of the tombs has their own myths to explore against the beautiful backdrop of the gently meandering River Boyne. The archaeological landscape within Brú na Bóinne is dominated by the three well-known large passage tombs, Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age.

The Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark is an internationally designated area of geological interest in The Burren region of County Clare, Ireland. It is the third Geopark to be designated in Ireland, and is recognised at both European and global levels. It comprises dramatic glaciated karst landscapes on Ireland’s Atlantic coast which have been fashioned in a variety of limestones, sandstones and siltstones originating during the Carboniferous period.

The Burren is one of the most naturally beautiful and dramatic landscapes in the world and a must-see when you are visiting Co. Clare. Discover the magic of the 'Boireann' or 'stony place' in the Burren Centre. This visitor centre is in the heart of Kilfenora. Explore their fantastic exhibition on Clare's cultural heritage and audiovisual theatre, narrated by famous environmentalist Éamon de Buitléar.

Callan Motte is a motte-and-bailey and National Monument in Callan, Ireland.The eastward facing base of the Motte is situated approximately 100m from the King's River and its floodplain. This floodplain extends along the western riverbank, interrupted only by a small series of riverside residences adjoining both sides of the bridge.