Adventure Categories
Wander off the beaten track to experience a
landscape that is windswept and free
Find the right route for nature, history, food etc.
Designed to maximise enjoyment and minimise the hassle factor! Connemara Wild Escapes offers a range of adventure activities from experts in their fields
Land Based
Abseiling
Not for the faint hearted – abseiling or rappelling is the controlled descent down a rock face or sheer incline using a rope. Climbers use this technique when a cliff or slope is too steep and/or dangerous to descend – it also happens to be the quickest way to the bottom other than falling – a controlled “fall” which would explain why it gets the adrenalin pumping so hard!
Age: 16 years and older. Grade: Difficult
Archery
Are you a modern day Robin Hood? Let experienced instructors show you how to tame a powerful bow and turn it into an enjoyable and satisfying activity. Come and see if it as easy as it is in the movies.
Age: 8 years and older and height restrictions apply. Grade: Moderate
Bungee jumping
So you thought abseiling was scary? Try jumping off into the abyss and plummet 90 feet (30m) towards Mother Earth, only to come to a gradual halt and then rocket back up into the sky! Not recommended for the faint hearted.
Age: 14 years and older and weight restrictions apply. Grade: Severe
Clay pigeon shooting
Use a shotgun to take down clay discs from any angle on the ground or in the air. No experience is necessary and you are encouraged to gain confidence with the gun while learning safety procedures, range etiquette and how to achieve a good strike rate. Maximum: 25 clays per person.
Age: 18 years and older and height restrictions apply. Grade: Extreme
Climbing– indoor wall
Away from the elements, our indoor climbing wall has plenty to keep you busy and is a great place to practice your skills. Steep walls, overhangs, helpful advice and tasks from our instructors will keep you entertained. You can also learn cave access techniques, with our caving ladder climb.
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Climbing – rock
Qualified instructors will show you show to climb exposed rock faces. Kitted out in safety gear and using climbing ropes your instructor will show you how to scale the ascent to the top while securely attached to the rock face. All levels are catered for.
Age: 16 years and older. Grade: Severe
Climbing – tower
Purpose built tower that allows climbers, both beginners and experienced climbers to test and hone their skills in a controlled environment.
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Difficult
Giant swing
Sitting in a comfortable harness you and a fellow adrenalin junkie are hoisted up a 70 foot (20m) pole. Then pull the cord and free-fall towards the earth before gradually swinging gently to the ground. No bouncing up and down on this one!
Age: 14 years and older. Grade: Difficult
Gorge walking
Pit yourself against the natural elements; guided up the river to tackle the mighty gorge, climbing waterfalls, scrabbling over rocks and diving into plunge pools. Age: 8 years and old older. Grade: Moderate
Laser combat games
Designed for wannabe soldiers who love games of strategy and stealth there are many different scenarios taking place in the forest. Dressed in full camouflaged combats, headgear and the latest infrared technology, players shoot an invisible harmless beam at each other and a sensor detects when you have been hit.
Age: 12 years and older. Grade: Easy
Orienteering
Learn basic map reading skills to find markers located in the beautiful Connemara countryside. Then add the challenge of your fellow adventurers, your physical stamina and the clock to see if you can set the new record.
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate to Difficult
Rope challenge
A series of ropes and poles linked together to offer different levels of challenges both in difficulty and height for individuals and teams.
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Survival experience
Designed around the basic principles of survival, fun, physical and mental challenges; will see your group divided into teams competing against each other to claim victory. Each team must do a number of tasks and win points for their achievements. Points are awarded based on task difficulty with tasks set up at varying distances from the start point. Teams are accompanied by an instructor.
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Zip wire
A high speed ‘Zip’ through the air. This is a great adrenaline-pumping activity: harness up, clip in and speed down a length of wire cabling. As you fly through the air, you will be in awe of the breathtaking views that surround you, well maybe on the second go you will admire the scenery!
Age: 12 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Water Based
Canoeing
If you like the idea of kayaking but prefer to have company in your boat, then Canadian canoeing may be what you’re after. The fun of Kayaking, but with friends or family.
Grade: Moderate
Hobie sailing
Hobie Cats are an exciting yet simple craft to sail. Their twin hulls give them great speed combined with great stability. For beginners an experienced instructor will take you out on Killary Fjord and have you sailing before you know it. Magnos and Omega class boats are also available upon request. These are single hull boats which are fast and really fun to sail. Check out our courses to find out about improving your sailing skills.
Age: 8 years and older but they must have an adult with them if under 12. Not available from October – March. Grade: Moderate
Kayaking
2 types of kayaks: sea and sit on top. The sea kayak is a small one man boat with an enclosed cock pit that, using a double sided paddle, can be taken out to explore the clean deep waters of the Killary Fjord. The sit on top kayaks are, as the name suggests and, doesn’t have an enclosed cock pit. Just a 10 minute paddle will bring you to seal island where a family of seals will tolerate you quietly paddling among them while they bask in the sunshine. Your kayaking instructor will offer you a choice of a relaxing paddle through unique scenery or perhaps challenge you to swap kayaks with others without getting wet!
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Knee & wake boarding
Wake boarding is a cross between snowboarding and water skiing. Imagine if you would, a snowboarder being pulled behind a boat instead of on snow and you have it. The wake produced by the boat gives way to a playground on which you can practice jumps and many tricks. Prepare yourself for high speed fun with this activity. Sessions run for 1.5 hours.
Age: 12 years and older, height restrictions apply. Grade: Difficult
Raft building
Take barrels, a set of planks and an assortment of ropes and get your team designing, testing and building your ultimate watercraft. Next, take some willing team members and put your design to the test across a specified course on Killary Fjord. This activity proves to be great fun, character building and above all, demands trust, not only in your knots but each other too!
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Moderate
Ringo ride
For those who want all the exhilaration of being towed behind a speed boat at high speeds but don’t want the added effort of trying to balance on a pair of skis this is the activity for you! Ringo’s are purpose built large inflated inner tubes, which you sit into and skate across the surface of the ocean at speed. Hold on tight!
Age: 8 years and older. Grade: Difficult
Scuba diving
World-class local dive sites are minutes away, experience scuba diving Irish style. No matter what level of scuba diver you are from those looking to learn to scuba dive through to professional level training, the purpose built, all-weather scuba diving centre is international accredited and also holds the prestigious National Geographic Scuba Dive Centre rating manned by highly qualified instructors. A water front location means all scuba dive training is conducted in the sea.
Age: 12 years and older. Grade: Severe
Speedboat trip
Have the speed boat ride of a lifetime in a 7.5 meter RIB (ridged inflatable boat), powered by a 200 horsepower engine which will take you across the Atlantic waters to give you unique views of the stunning landscape. As you travel along Irelands only Fjord you will experience the history and heritage of this area from Famine villages to modern fish farms
Age: 8 years and older but they must be big enough to fit into our buoyancy aids. Grade: Moderate
Surfing
Nothing quite beats the thrill of catching your first wave and riding along back towards the beach. After a soft landing, it’s paddle out again to catch the next great wave. It won’t be long before you’re hooked for life. A unique experience, which for many, becomes a lifetime passion. We have a range of surf options to suit your aspirations and experiences.
Grade: Moderate
Water skiing
Experience skiing on the Killary Fjord pulled behind a powerboat via a ski rope, on one (mono) or two skis. Beginners learn on double skis, and then progress to a mono (single) ski. Water skis have rubber-moulded bindings to keep the feet in place. Water skiing requires a good sense of balance and upper body strength; a lot of strength needed in your arms to get you on the water. Maximum: 4 people per session. Session – 1.5 hours duration.
Age: 14 years and older, height restrictions apply. Grade: Difficult
Windsurfing
It’s fun and exhilarating and Killary Fjord is an ideal location as the sheltered harbour ensures you have control over you equipment and can learn in a safe environment. Before long you will be hooked and flying across the water.
Age: 8 years and older. Not available from October – March. Grade: Moderate
Yacht charter
The Killary Flyer is a 49ft ex-Admiral’s Cup Racing yacht; it was built in 1979 and re-fitted in 2003. Licensed by Dept of Marine, it has 8 berths and all modern navigation & safety equipment. Experience the thrill of helming a real thoroughbred racing boat or leave the work to someone else and just enjoy the sensation off the West coast of Ireland skippered by Jamie Young – ISA Yacht Master.
Age: 8 years and older. No Sailing from October – April. Grade: Moderate
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