Top ten offbeat vacations in Ireland - SEE PHOTOS

Try something different from the norm in idyllic locations around the Emerald Isle

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So you’ve done the “city break," the pile the whole family in the car and drive around for a week vacation, the cultural tours, the same old, same old vacations in Ireland. There are plenty of different and interesting ideas for vacations in Ireland if you’re willing to leave the well-pounded tourist trail and explore your options.

From seaweed spas to celebrating TV priests or doing yoga in one of the largest karst landscapes in Europe, no one could ever say that Ireland is humdrum or dull.

Here are some of IrishCentral.com’s top tips for vacations off the beaten track:

1 Go whale watching

The area of West Cork is amazing. The food is great, there’s a great nightlife in almost every little town and then there’s the sea. As well as sailing, rowing, kayaking and wind surfing one tourist attraction that’s really taking off is whale watching.

So far 24 species of whale and dolphin have been recorded off the coast and 12 cetacean species. The Minke whales arrive off our coast starting in May and the  Fin whales traditionally arrive in June or July. Although less predictable Humpback Whales traditionally arrive during August or the early autumn months.

Best to check in with the experts for some information on the trips available - www.whalewatchwestcork.com.

2 Attend Tedfest - the “Father Ted” Festival

Tedfest is an annual festival held on the Aran Islands to celebrate the comedy series “Father Ted”.

The comedy was set on the fictional Craggy Island and told the story of three Irish priests, Father Ted, Father Dougal and Father Jack. The Irish version of the festival has been running just a couple of years and it’s now so popular that they have had to spread it over two weekends. Also this year a group in Australia held their own TedFest.

The quirky festival is held in the fabulous location of Innis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, and not a bad doppelganger for Craggy Island.

Essentially what happens is most of the people who attend the festival dress up as one of the various characters featured in the comedy show and then the hostels and bars on the island holds events. Just some of the events include the Lovely Girls Contest and Charity Auction, Hide A Nun and Seek, Ludo Aerobics, Buckaroo Speed Dating and the all important annual football match.

If you don’t believe me check the site - www.friendsofted.org

3 Yoga retreat in Europe’s largest karst landscape

So picture this: You’re enjoying a relaxing yoga session in the open air in one of the most unusual surrounding in the world. Where Mediterranean and alpine flowers grow up through the harsh landscape of a limestone pavement. Not your normal vacation right!

See more: Travel in Ireland, Offbeat