The ‘Irish Times’ Best Day Out in Ireland contest names its top five

The judges of the Irish Times Best Day Out in Ireland competition have chosen five finalists: The Antrim coast; The Barrow Way, Co Carlow; Big Day Out in Leitrim; Clare Island Adventures; and Killarney National Park, Co Kerry.

The reader competition set out to find the country’s most impressive visitor attractions, leisure experiences and outdoor destinations, and asked Irish Times readers to help by nominating their favourites. The competition received more than 1,900 entries from members of the public.

The competition – run by The Irish Times in partnership with Discover Ireland – covers all counties of Ireland, north and south. “Days out” include heritage experiences, visitor centres, maritime activities, galleries and museums, or a combined adventure, leisure and relaxation day.

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Killarney national park, Co Kerry

This is the fourth such competition run by The Irish Times. In 2012, the Best Place to Live in Ireland competition was won by Westport, Co Mayo. Loop Head Peninsula in Co Clare was named Best Place to Holiday in 2013. And last year, the Erris region in north Co Mayo was judged the Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland.

The judges of this year’s contest are the travel journalists Róisín Finlay, Manchán Magan, Fionola Meredith and Gary Quinn. The overall winner of Ireland’s Best Day Out will be announced on Saturday June 27th.

Here – in alphabetical order – are the shortlisted finalists and the reasons they were chosen.

The north Antrim coast
This designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty combines cliffs, beaches and landmark locations such as the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Glens of Antrim.

The Irish Times verdict:

“The north coast of County Antrim contains some of the most exciting and rugged coastal scenery in Ireland, interspersed with towns, villages and farmsteads. It contains the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland’s only world heritage site, justly regarded as one of the wonders of the world’s geology.”

[ discovernorthernireland.com  ]

The Barrow Way, Carlow
Suitable for walking, cycling and kayaking, the Barrow Way follows the original towpath of the river for 114 km, with lots of shorter stretches and village-stop-offs for more manageable excursions.

The Irish Times verdict: "The greenway by the Barrow river is a five-mile walk or bike ride, more or less within anyone's reach, and while the grass path is well maintained, the banks themselves are allowed to flourish in their own fashion. On a hot day you could be in the south of France."
riverbarrow.net

Big Day out in Leitrim 

Big Day out in Leitrim is a one-day experience provided by three outdoor-activity operators: offering guided walks, canoeing on the “Shannon Blueway” and electric-bike cycling.

The Irish Times verdict: "Leitrim is a timeless, undiscovered world waiting to be discovered. To experience it one really needs to get out and immerse oneself in nature and activities events – this package provides an ideal taster experience."
bigdayoutinleitrim.com

Clare Island Adventures, Co Mayo

Clare Island Adventures is an activity provider based on the island off the coast of Co Mayo.

The Irish Times verdict: "This is without doubt one of the best places in Ireland. Approachable, welcoming and with enough amenities to suit all kinds of travellers. These include: rock climbing, abseiling, guided walks, coasteering, scuba diving, yoga, snorkelling, orienteering, raft building and nature walks."
clareislandadventures.ie

Killarney National Park
A vast area stretching from the centre of Killarney town to the McGillycuddy Reeks, the national park combines heritage houses, mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls.

The Irish Times verdict: "Killarney National Park is the Hamlet or Mona Lisa of Irish attractions; because it's well known, people maybe think they know what it's about. But look at it with a fresh eye and it's the most scenic, the most historic, the most accessible, the most varied, the most taxing, the most relaxing, tourist district."
killarneynationalpark.ie

For more on this competition see irishtimes.com/bestdayout