Page 345 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

SPOR T S , OUTDOOR A C TIVITIES AND T OURING  343

Club organizes a hike each
Sunday on the Wicklow and
Dublin mountains for experienced
walkers. Once a month, the
club’s programme includes an
introductory hard hike which
allows novices to try out more
rigorous hiking.
The award-winning Michael
Gibbons’ Walking Ireland Centre
specializes in half-day walks and
full-day tours in summer that
guide walkers through the land-
scape and heritage of Connemara.
Skibbereen Historical Walks
enables visitors to learn about
Ireland’s past via Skibbereen, a
Walking in the Gap of Dunloe, Killarney (see p167) small town largely associated
with the Great Famine.
Walking and
is popular with both novice and Mountaineering Contact the Mountaineering
experienced anglers as it has Council of Ireland for more
superb accommodation, as The network of waymarked trails details about mountaineering
well as reliable, experienced all over the country cut through and rock-climbing holidays. For
staff. Regarded as the best some of the most glorious Irish any hike, remember to go well-
fishing river in the east, River landscape. Information on long- equipped for the highly
Slaney has many fisheries along distance walks is available from changeable Irish weather.
its banks. Ballintemple Fishery Fáilte Ireland and the Northern
offers angling equipment for Ireland Tourist Board. The Cycling
hire, and instruction if needed. loveliest routes include Wicklow
Rory’s Fishing Tackle in central Way (see p143), Dingle Way, Kerry Several organizations such
Dublin is also a good place to Way, Munster Way as Ireland by Bike
buy tackle and live bait. and Barrow offer self-guided
Information on the required Towpath. Each cycling itiner aries
permits can be obtained from of these may be as well as booked
the Central Fisheries Board split into shorter Sign for the Ulster Way, the trail accommodation.
in the Republic, and from Inland sections for less around Northern Ireland Cycling Ireland is
Fisheries, Department of Culture, experienced the governing
Arts and Leisure, Northern walkers or those short of time. body of cycling in Ireland, and
Ireland. Contact the Irish The 800-km (500-mile) Ulster its website provides information
Federation of Sea Anglers for Way encircles Northern Ireland, on cycling routes and amenities.
useful tips, or in order to book taking in the spectacular The Off-Road Commission
sea-fishing trips or courses. scenery around Giant’s organizes events and provides
Maps and other information Causeway (see pp266–7) and infor mation on the country’s off-
on fishing locations can be the peaks of the mountains road trails and terrain routes.
obtained from Fáilte Ireland of Mourne (see pp288–9). You can transport your bike
in the Republic, and from the Irish Ways offers walking fairly cheaply by train or bus.
Northern Ireland Tourist Board holidays in the Republic. To find For bike rental, try Neill’s Wheels
(see pp350–51). Also, consult the out about organized walks in or Cycleways, both in central
Irish Angling Update website, Northern Ireland, contact the Dublin, or Phoenix Park Bike
which posts regularly updated Ulster Federation of Rambling Hire to explore Europe’s largest
reports on angling conditions. Clubs. An Óige Hill Walkers urban park.

Cycling through the Muckross House estate near Killarney (see p163)

342-343_EW_Ireland.indd 343 08/03/17 11:44 am