Active Tours in Ireland

Ireland is a destination that offers real, authentic experiences that are off the beaten track; breathtaking coastal paths, ancient pilgrim routes, and ribbon-like mountain tracks. It is difficult to capture the island's spirit as it has to be experienced by meeting the easy-going locals, listening to warming songs at traditional music sessions, and savoring hearty home-cooked meals.

Whether you are looking to complete one of Ireland's established national trails, such as the Dingle Way, the Kerry Way, or the Wicklow Way, we take the hassle out of planning this trip for you. Enjoy the ease of having your luggage transferred for you, so you can set off each day with a light backpack. You may be interested in discovering one Ireland's best-kept secrets; the Beara Peninsula in Ireland's South West. The Beara Way goes through beautifully desolate areas where your only company along some stretches are flocks of sheep. Discover Ireland's West Coast by walking through the lunar landscape of the Burren or cycling the best sections of the Wild Atlantic Way

Since 2006, Macs Adventure has been helping outdoor enthusiasts to explore the wonders of Ireland on foot. With the freedom to create your own itinerary and the knowledge of our team, you can book with confidence. We have searched for the secret corners to ensure that your walking tour of the Emerald Isle is a trip that you will always remember.

 

Walking & Biking Tours in Ireland

Discover Ireland

  • Why Book your Walking Holiday in Ireland with Macs Adventure?
    Why Book your Walking Holiday in Ireland with Macs Adventure?

    Macs Adventure has been running self guided walking holidays in Ireland since 2006.  After visiting the major walking routes in Ireland, we knew there was something completely unique about its people and places and were excited to share it with the rest of the world. 

    We now send over 700 hikers to Ireland every year, each of them finding their own adventure in this vibrant country. We provide the freedom to choose your route, itinerary and travel companions and to discover Ireland at your own pace. 

    We know how important it is to have amazing partners on the ground in Ireland to deal with any issues that you might come across and we have made great friends with the accommodation providers and baggage handlers and should you have the slightest issue, they will fall over themselves to help you out. 

    We offer a flexible, tailor-made hiking experience that gets you in comfortable, friendly overnight accommodation in local B&Bs and guesthouses. We carry your bags to lighten your load so you can concentrate on simply putting one foot in front of the other and enjoying the unique culture, food and people of the hidden spots of Ireland. No hostels, no shared dorms, no heavy bags on your back, just relax and walk with the confidence that we have it all covered for you

    We want to showcase our expertise, by giving you all the resources you will ever need.  In the planning stage, we have free guides, comprehensive videos and a host of staff with their own Irish hiking experience, waiting to answer your questions. On the route, we use high-quality digital mapping as well as the best maps and guidebooks to make sure you find your way.  

    We love walking in Ireland and our main aim is to make sure that you do too.  

  • Must-Read Irish Books
    Must-Read Irish Books

    Reading a book can give you a really good taste of the culture, history and landscapes of a destination. Whether you are planning a trip to Ireland or have recently booked a trip, here are some classic books that are set in Ireland!

    Dubliners by James Joyce - This famous collection includes 15 short stories about the lives of ordinary people living in Dublin in the early 1900s. The book has a variety of characters and is an easy read with varied outlooks on life. 

    The Sea by John Banville - This novel is about love, loss, and the power of memory. A middle-aged Irishman called Max returns to the seaside town where he spent his summer holidays as a child to cope with the loss of his dear wife. Max comes to understand the past and this is the center of this beautifully written novel.

    The Wild Irish Girl by Sydney Owensen - This book quickly reached bestseller status after it was published in 1806. In this story, a badly behaved boy is banished to his father's estate in Ireland to mend his ways. He then falls in love with the land and with a girl that he meets, but there are some complicated family affairs.

    The Green Road by Anne Enright - This is the 6th novel by Anne Enright concerning the lives of the Madigan family on Ireland's Atlantic coast. This book is about family, selfishness and compassion when a family returns to the west coast of Ireland for a final family Christmas before their mother's home is about to sell. After a big conflict, the family is confronted with their ties and the road that brought them home. 

    Galway Bay by Mary Pat Kelly - This story takes place in a hidden corner of Ireland where fisherman and farmers find hope and courage in their songs, faith and celebrations. This novel describes the life of a young couple starting a family and selling their crops and catch to pay rent. Potatoes have become the bread and butter of their existence and when three harvests are destroyed, the natural disaster turns into The Great Starvation.

    The Yellow House by Patricia Falvey - This novel delves into the politics of Northern Ireland at the beginning of the 20th-century where main character Eileen is torn between two men, each drawing her to one extreme. As war is declared, Eileen begins working at a local mill and tries to save money to hold onto her dreams. This story describes her struggles in trying to separate politics from her personal life.

  • Irish Myths & Legends
    Irish Myths & Legends

    Storytelling has been a staple of the Irish culture since the dawn of time and the folklore has famous myths and legends. Think of the many songs, limericks and tales that exist. It is safe to say that mythology and Ireland go hand in hand, have you heard of any of these stories?

    • The Leprechauns (or locally known as "Leath bhrògan"): The name translates from 'shoemaker' and the leprechaun is the cultural symbol of Ireland. They were said to roam the Emerald Isle before humans did, wearing a unique hat and red hair. Leprechauns leave a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, so be sure to have a look if you see one!

    • The Pooka (or locally known as "púca"): Pooka's are shape-changing creatures that are some of the most feared in Irish folklore. They are said to be evil and bring bad luck to those who have seen them. For this reason, they are most feared by farmers around the times of harvest!

    • The Irish Harp: You may have noticed that the harp is the national symbol of Ireland, think of the company logos of famous Irish brands such as Guinness and Ryanair. The story goes that evil gods stole the first harp from Dagda (an Irish king). This caused a lack of music in Ireland and people turned very sad. The evil gods then gave back the harp and the joy returned to the entire land. This is how the harp became a national icon!

    • The Shamrock: The three-leafed clover is an important Irish legend and crucial in the spread of Christianity across the Emerald Isle. St Patrick saw a clover and decided to use it to explain the three strands of the father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as one, to the Celts. The Celts could previously not understand what St Patrick was trying to say, but with the help of the shamrock, they finally did. 

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