Top ten offbeat vacation ideas in Ireland - PHOTOS

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

The Burren Yoga Retreat offers weekend or week-long retreats and all types of yoga. They also have a beautiful yoga center, in case it rains...which is likely. They have comfortable accommodation also.

4. Conquer the high seas

Ireland is a nation of seafarers. It is in our blood. Sailing is also a great way to see Ireland’s picturesque coastline.

There are a couple of yacht clubs around the country where experienced sailors can take a boat out for a couple of hours and tour the beautiful waters around Ireland. Alternatively for those who might not quite have their sea legs you could take an sailing course and get a taste of the Irish Sea.

5. Become a master-chief with some Ireland’s top foodies

The Irish tend to get a bad rap when it comes to food. Well this is all proven wrong by Ireland’s culinary capital of Cork. I defy anyone to visit Hayes pub in Glandore, West Cork, have a prawn sandwich and say we don’t know food.

Our ambassadors, when it comes to culinary wiles, are a family called the Allens. Darina Allen is the owner of the Ballymaloe Cookery School which has turned out some of Ireland’s best chef’s. You can take a course for just half a day or five days. Either way it is definitely worth your while.

Some other Allen’s you might have heard off are Rachel Allen who is quick becoming an Irish celebrity chef and Mytle Allen who is one of the pioneers of Ireland’s slow food movement.

Learn to make proper Irish bread or even better a delicious savory meal.

6. Pamper yourself at an Irish seaweed spa

Seaweed is become a valuable commodity as its value as a beauty product is being discovered. In fact some very clever Irishmen who are making their fortune exporting Irish seaweed across the globe.

There are a number of spas around the county that focus on the use of seaweed in their beauty treatments from seaweed wraps, to facials, baths and joint and muscle relaxing wraps.

7. Go native in a forest park

Some of the best vacations in my childhood were spent in the woods. There’s nothing better for a city kid then getting to run amok in the country literally going a little wild.

Around Ireland there are a number of places to stay in the natural beauty of Ireland’s forests and parks. Killykeen Forest Park, in County Cavan is just one of there. It is located on the shores of Lough Oughter and has very comfortable Scandanavian designed wooden houses scattered throughout the forest. In the park itself there are amenities for fishing, horse riding and also a games room for those kids.

8. Stay in a luxury castle

This is one for those among us with never ending pockets (a dying breed these days) but it’s certainly something different.

You’re on vacation to relax and treat yourself so why not do it in the one of the most expensive accommodations in Ireland and also one that is steeped in history; an ancient castle.

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Nster.com