What makes a great walking holiday? Wonderful landscapes, friendly people, good food waiting at the end of your daily hikes. Walking holidays in Ireland have all of these things in spades. And a great bonus: it's a small enough island for the determined rambler to span its breadth in a single holiday, experiencing all the natural and cultural richness that Ireland has to offer.
Ireland has a great selection of routes, from the most relaxing to the most strenuous. So it's a perfect destination regardless of the level you're going for.
Some routes of choice? The Wicklow Way takes you through beautiful pine forests, high mountain trails and deep glacial valleys. It also takes in the wonderful Glendalough valley, which contains an early Christian monastic settlement that has been beautifully preserved.
Or how about the Burren in the west of Ireland? This walk takes you from the rugged Atlantic coast with the spectacular cliffs of Moher, across the unique karst landscape of the Burren, and through the town of Doolin, a must-see for fans of traditional Irish music.
For a real challenge, head down to Kerry, and hike across the spectacular mountains and lakes of Killarney and the beautifully wild Blasket Islands.
Wherever you walk in Ireland you're sure to find a great welcome, and when the going gets tough, just remember the pub, with a traditional Irish meal and a pint of the black stuff, waiting for you at the end of the trail.