Travel

Ireland might have some terrible weather, but we're certainly not short on things to do for fun. With that in mind, here are five of the best things to do in Ireland for free.

Whether you’re looking for something to do with the lads this weekend or your just looking for a nice break away with the lady in your life then you can be glad you live here in Ireland. We’re known for our easy going lifestyle, but there’s much more to do here, like surfing, biking and fine food dining. Check out the Reclaimyourweekend.ie website for info on free things to do as well as discounted offers on some seriously cool activities.

So here’s a list of five of the best free things to do in Ireland.

Hillwalking through the Antrim Glens and Dingle Bay

Hillwalking is one seriously underestimated pastime here in Ireland. We have a country that’s steeped in natural beauty yet most of us see the concrete confines of the city walls everyday. HillwalkIreland.com has all the info you could ever need for taking a scenic stroll through the Irish countryside from the Antrim Glens Coastline to Dingle Bay. There are different levels of difficulty so make sure you chose a gentle hike if it’s your first time off the sofa in God knows how long.

Catch some waves in Lahinch and Bundoran

When you think of surfing you probably think of Hawaii or the golden beaches of Australia, but surfing is a fairly big deal here in Ireland. Thankfully, we have some of the biggest and best waves that the world has ever seen, but best of all, they’re right here on your doorstep. Bundoran in Co. Donegal and Lahinch in Co. Clare are two of the countries best surf spots and if you don’t have your own board then it only costs around €15 to rent one for the day.

Mountain bike your way through Killarney National Park

If water isn’t your thing then you can still get one heck of an adrenaline rush on dry land thanks to Ireland’s amazing mountain biking trails. If you live in the east then head over to Three Rock near Marlay Park where there are some nice, albeit advanced, trails. There are also some great rides in Killarney National Park in Co. Kerry and also at Ballyhoura in Ardpatrick, Co. Limerick. The trails are free to ride and all you need is a helmet, a bike and a packed lunch (some b*lls of steel would also help).

Grab a bite to eat at the Achill Seafood Festival

Ireland might be famous for it’s whiskey and stout, but we enjoy our food as much as our drink. We have some amazing food festivals coming up and if you play your cards right you can eat all day without having to reach into your wallet once – ever hear of a free sample? The Féile Bia na Mara, also known as the Achill Seafood Festival, takes place this coming weekend, July 19 to 22 on Achill Island, naturally. It will feature some of the country’s best chefs serving up some seriously tasty food and there will be everything from demonstrations to a photo competition. The ‘A Taste of West Cork Food Festival’ will return to Skibbereen, West Cork, from September 10 to 16 and it brings together a unique mix of food markets, demonstrations, cookery competitions, food-tastings, talks, exhibitions, children's events, guided walks, boat tours and some great live music. What more could you want?

Enjoy the sights and sounds at the Rose of Tralee Street Carnival

The Rose of Tralee’s motto is ‘connecting the global Irish community’ and the Rose of Tralee Street Carnival's motto is ‘entertaining the global Irish community’. So, think about it... What’s better than a street carnival flooded with foreign 'Irish' women wanting to experience ‘The Old Country’? Not much really.

The Street Carnival runs in tandem with all Rose events and presents five days and nights of 99% free events with family activities, street markets, daytime street performers and workshops. Oh, and don't forget about all those lovely Roses. There will also be evening time concerts presenting top Irish and International acts, and a host of other free fringe events. So make your way to Tralee from August 17 to 21 to get in on the action.

So there you have it, five things to do in Ireland for free. If you're looking for something to do this weekend - instead of having to nurse a hangover - then check out the Reclaimyourweekend.ie website where there's loads of info on free things to do as well as some seriously tempting discounted offers on cool activities.

For more info visit