Sailing

Whether by cruising from port to port or dinghy sailing on the lakes, many regions of Ireland can best be experienced from the water. The craggy and indented coastline has plenty of safe havens for overnight stops -- there are more than 140 between Cork Harbor and the Dingle Peninsula alone. This region of West Cork and Kerry is the most popular coastline for cruising, and several companies offer yacht charters.

Some of the harbors in the southwest that are most popular with sailors include Cork, Kinsale, Glandore, Baltimore, and Bantry. On the west coast, Killary Harbour, Westport, and Sligo have sailing clubs and are in areas of great beauty. There are also several sailing clubs and yacht-charter companies in the Dublin area.

Sailing Resources

Sailing schools hold courses for sailors at all levels of experience, and sometimes offer day sailing as well. Ireland also has more than 120 yacht and sailing clubs along the coast and lakes. The best sources for information are the Irish Tourist Board; the Irish Sailing Association, 3 Park Rd., Dun Laoghaire, County Dublin (tel. 01/280-0239; fax 01/280-7558; www.sailing.ie); and the Irish Cruising Club Sailing Directions (Imray, Laurie, Norie & Wilson Ltd. of Wych House) from the Irish Cruising Club (www.irishcruisingclub.com). The direction guide gives information on harbors, port facilities, tides, and other topics of interest. It's available in bookshops in Ireland or online at www.imray.com.

The International Sailing Association is an excellent resource for finding a sailing school; you can find links to members at www.sailingschools.org. Sailing Holidays in Ireland (www.sailingireland.com) lists many sailing schools and yacht-charter companies throughout the Republic. One of the best-known schools, Glenans Irish Sailing Club, 5 Lower Mount St., Dublin 2 (tel. 01/661-1481; fax 01/676-4249; www.glenans-ireland.com), has two locations in West Cork and one in Mayo and offers classes at all levels. Day sailing is available during the summer at the West Cork location.

Sail Ireland Charters, Trident Hotel Marina, Kinsale, County Cork (tel. 021/477-2927; fax 021/774170; www.sailireland.com), is the largest charter firm in Ireland and also offers sailing holidays. Yacht charters are also available at Sporting Tours Ireland, 71 Main St., Kinsale, County Cork (tel./fax 021/774727); Shannon Sailing Ltd., New Harbor, Dromineer, Nenagh, County Tipperary (tel. 067/24499); and Dingle Sea Ventures, Dingle, County Kerry (tel. 066/915-2244).

A Bit of Adventure

If you're looking for more from your Ireland trip than just a bit of golf or hiking, you might want to try one of the country's adventure centers. These lively, youthful facilities offer a range of guided activities -- from rappelling to kite surfing -- in some of the country's most remote and beautiful settings, along with accommodations, food, and all you need for a holiday with like-minded folk.

The Delphi Adventure Centre, Leenane, County Galway (tel. 095/42307; www.delphiadventureholidays.ie), is a popular option deep in the mountains of County Galway. There is almost nothing you can't do here, since they offer courses in kayaking, windsurfing, and sailing, as well as mountaineering, rappelling, hiking, and pony trekking. Everything is reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is laid-back and friendly.

Another option is the Little Killary Adventure Company, Leenane, County Galway (tel. 095/43411; www.killary.com), which will take you on Hobie Cat sailing trips, or guide you through an exploration of the countryside by kayak, water-skis, or on foot on hill and coastal walking tours, straight up on rock climbing expeditions, and more.

Deep in the Wicklow Mountains outside Dublin, the Blessington Lakes are a playground of tranquil, clean, speedboat-free water where the Blessington Adventure Centre, Blessington, County Wicklow (tel. 045/865800), offers all you need to get going canoeing, kayaking, sailing, or windsurfing, as well as everything required for archery, orienteering, and pony trekking.