These Thrilling Irish Spots Made It Onto Lonely Planet’s Adventure Bucket List

Ireland might not be the first place you think of when it comes to adrenaline-inducing experiences, but according to the Lonely Planet, we’re not doing too badly.

Never mind insane cliffs in South America or rushing rapids in Asia, we can get our thrills right on our doorstep.

The travel bible’s Atlas of Adventure is the ultimate adrenaline encyclopaedia from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe of the best outdoor experiences from over 150 countries, and three Irish spots made the list.

Our west coast is praised for having “Europe’s biggest, best and most varied surf”, with the top spot by the Cliffs Of Moher.

“The ‘perfect’ big wave is Aileen’s, a 12m monster off the colossal Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, named after nearby headland Aill na Searrach (the cliff of foals) by the local surfer John McCarthy. who first rode it.”

Other local experiences that got a shout-out were the Forty Foot, and the annual Liffey Swim.

“The Forty Foot on the edge of Dublin Bay is mentioned in James Joyce’s Ulysses and still attracts sea swimmers year-round while each August the capital’s Liffey River hosts the world’s second oldest continuously swum open race.”

Nice one.

Header image: Shutterstock

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