Four Irish Locations Named As Top Adventure Spots

Four tourist spots in Ireland have been listed by the Lonely Planet in a new book of top tens for adventurers.   Mullaghmore Head in Co Sligo, Croagh Patrick, Castle Leslie in Co Monaghan and Carak-a-rede Rope Bridge in Antrim were named as part of two adventure holiday ideas in Ireland by the magazine. Various hotels, restaurants and pubs are also reccomended online accompanying the locations.   The travel bible has listed a headland on the west coast of Ireland as one of the best surfing sports in the world.    Mullaghmore Head was named as one of 'the best spots to catch a big wave' and described as a "roaring reef break" where surfers are "lucky to ride and grateful to survive".    Last year surfers at Mullaghmore who had gathered from all around the world were treated to waves up to 15 meters high and it was the setting for a number of award winning surfing documentaries.    Croagh Patrick was listed as one of the top ten 'ultimate pilgrimages' alongside the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain.   A coast to coast adventure list is introduced with a picture of the Carrick-a-rede rope bridge in Co Antrim, the start point of a 387mile trip by foot.   The Castle Leslie Estate was included in a top ten for horse-riding adventures   The Lonely Planet's 1,000 Ultimate Adventures book presents 100 top ten lists of activities and destinations which it says are perfect for thrill seekers.    Welcoming the news, Niall Gibbons, Tourism Ireland chief executive, said that "the inclusion of four Irish locations in the new Lonely Planet publication is good news indeed, helping to inspire adventure-seekers everywhere and giving Tourism Ireland another wonderful platform to continue to promote the island of Ireland around the world as a ‘must-visit’ destination for adventure sports and activity holidays"   Fáilte Ireland estimates that overseas visitors engaging in activity tourism were worth €773 million to the economy last year.