New Year dip:The Adventure Team is inviting brave souls to join them on a New Year's dip with a difference.
Starting at Ballintoy harbour, Co Antrim, experience the exhilarating thrill of “coasteering”. This involves scrambling around the cliffs of the Giant’s Causeway coast and flinging yourself into deep water pools from up to seven metres.
Beginners start off on easy climbs and work up to the bigger ones. Three-hour sessions cost €55pp. Wetsuits, helmets and buoyancy aids are all included. Tel: 00-44-28-81648390 or see theadventureteam.co.uk.
Catch the last sunset
Achill Island in Co Mayo is one of the most westerly points in Europe. On New Year’s Eve Achill is one of the best places in Europe to see the final sundown of the year! Watch it go down from the panoramic Minaun Heights and afterwards, at the stroke of midnight, enjoy the short parade of various Achill pipe bands. After a hard night’s celebrating join in on the traditional New Year’s Day swim on Silver Strand at 1pm.
Achill offers a wide range of hillwalks for all abilities, while the 3km beach at Keel is a popular place for a brisk walk to kick-start the New Year. For more information see achilltourism.com.
Short steps
Mountain Sojourns is offering short breaks designed for all of levels of fitness. You can improve your navigation skills, learn to Nordic walk or simply enjoy some quality walking in the Mourne Mountains.
All sojourns are guided and instructed by experienced mountain leaders and Nordic walking instructors. The sojourns include two nights accommodation in eco-friendly, traditional cottages four miles from Newcastle, Co Down.
The trips can be catered or self-catered with prices from €117pps based on six people sharing. Tel Fiona at 00-44-77-40285794 or visit mountainsojourns.co.uk.