Water activities

Being an island, Ireland is of course ideally suited for aquatic adventures. It has a long and illustrious history going back even to the Roman cartographer Ptolemy who first charted the River Shannon in 300BC as it was such an important trading route. Ireland's huge range of lakes, river systems and 3,500 miles of pristine coastline, offers the perfect haven for sailors and surfers alike.

Sailing
Ireland is home to some really fantastic sailing locations and indeed boasts the oldest sailing club in the world which is the Royal Yacht Club, founded in 1720. With its excellent wind conditions and (relatively!) temperate waters, there aren't many better sailing destinations than Ireland. Not only are there miles and miles of stunning coastline to choose from but would-be sailors also have a bewildering array of lakes and river systems to enjoy including the vast river Shannon which flows southwestwards through the Midlands and is in fact the longest river in the Ireland. Visitors can also charter yachts and other boats and take on the miles of stunning coastline as well as the still waters of Lough Erne, Carlingford Lough and Belfast Lough – all of which are surrounded by breathtaking mountains.

Sailing on the East Coast
Although popular sailing destinations in Ireland tend to be along the western and southwestern coastline, there is also much to said for the East coast of Ireland. With slightly less tumultuous waters, a jaunt around the Dublin coast is particularly beautiful. Visitors can easily take in sights from the Howth peninsula in the North to the affectionately dubbed 'Amalfi' coastline of South County Dublin. Sailors may also explore some of the more remote islands in Dublin Bay including Lambay Island and Ireland's Eye as well as the nearer by Dalkey Island. Another coastal gem can be found in the so-called 'sunny south east' in Wexford and Rosslare in particular.

Canoeing and Kayaking
Ireland has a particularly wide range of rivers and lakes and offers every kind of water-based activity from gentle kayaking to riding the rapids in a canoe. So, whether you are an adrenaline junkie or just looking for a relaxing and more unusual way to explore the Irish countryside, here are some of the best spots to hit for water tourism:
Connemara: This dramatic area in the west of Ireland provides a unique mixed bag of both tranquil kayaking and the more extreme. Killary Harbour is particularly good for a stunning run through Ireland's only fjord and will suit the more tranquil of travellers. If, on the other hand, if you enjoy a more brisk paced adventure than Atlantic Sea Kayaking is for you. Delphi Adventure Holidays and Killary Adventure Company are both good facilitators and organise excellent water-based trips. For more information, go to www.delphimountainresort.com or www.killaryadventure.com.

Windsurfing and Wakeboarding
Ireland is in fact a highly-ranked destination not only for amateur windsurfers but also for professionals. With consistently good winds and 3,500 miles of coastline, the elite windsurfers and wakeboarders regard Ireland as one of the best spots in the world. Highlights include Clew Bay in County Mayo, Brandon Bay in County Kerry and Portstewart in County Derry. There are also a myriad of lakes to choose from including Carlingford Lough in County Louth and Lough Erne in County Fermanagh.

Surfing
The North, South and West of Ireland is particularly suited to thrill-seeking surfers and often plays host to many a professional looking for the best waves. This is largely due to the fact that Ireland juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and there is nothing to break those waves between it and America on the other side. Wind speeds are much faster and so the waves and swells are more dramatic.

Top spots include Bundoran in Co. Donegal, on the North West coast. This spot is undoubtedly the best known and most popular, especially for the more extreme surfer. It attracts both national and international visitors and has even hosted the European Surfing Championships as well as the Quicksilver World Masters. It's not really for the faint hearted though so be warned – the waves are big and fast and the waters are cold. Although warmed a little by the Gulf Stream, Ireland is still largely in the North Atlantic and Bundoran is at the extreme end of it. As you go down along the West coast, the waves may not be as extreme as Bundoran but places like Easkey in Co. Sligo, Achill in Co. Mayo and Lahinch in north Co. Clare are still regarded as some of the best surfing spots in Europe. For the more timid surfing enthusiast or indeed beginner, than spots like Lahinch and Tramore have much slower forming waves and so provide the perfect surfing nursery.

Here are a few useful sites for information on surfing schools and courses:
www.wannasurf.com
www.beachwizard.com
www.surfersvillage.com