After breakfast, a mouthwatering selection of meats, cheeses, smoothies, fruit, breads and coffee, our plan was to hike Ben Bulben. At the base of the mountain, our group was greeted by local guide John Ryan, from ‘There & Back Again’ Hillwalking, who gave us a friendly pep talk for the hike ahead. We climbed the mountain by the South side and stopped mid way in a cave for shelter and a snack. At the summit we were rewarded with magnificent views of Yeats country and Sligo Bay.

Feeling totally exhilarated after 4 hours of mountain air, we returned for a spot of pampering in the Solas Spa. I had a 25 minute dry flotation treatment which could be described as a magical heated water bed. We chilled out after the treatments in the Relaxation Suite with herbal teas and a fresh fruit platter.

If you are looking for something other than hiking, horse riding and surfing are also on the doorstep. We hit the waves at Streedagh beech on Sunday morning, a snow capped Ben Bulben providing a magical backdrop to our flailing attempts to surf. The surf instructors were very friendly and patient specially to those of us who haven’t been on a surf board in a long time.

For more information on activity breaks in Sligo, check out www.activitynorthwest.com. Created by the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa in Sligo, this website has details on all the great activity deals the hotel has on offer. A surf break with Perfect Day Surf School or Turf’n’Surf with two nights accommodation with breakfast and one evening meal, plus a surf lesson costs just €144 per person sharing. Or the group hill-walking packages are available from just €146 per person sharing, including a four hour hill walk.

By Mary Egan

If this all sounds a wee bit taxing for you then fear not, Fota Island Resort also offers a 1,600 square metre spa which is equipped with a walking river (which is great for healing sports injuries), a hydrotherapy suite, floatation baths and a choice of over 60 treatments, including sports specific treatments. It is the perfect setting to while away several hours. There is also a fully equipped gym and swimming pool.
Food is also a treat at the Resort. You can choose from the Fota restaurant, the more casual surroundings of the Amber Lounge or The Spike Bar at the Clubhouse. All serve up scrumptious food. There is also an outdoor dining terrace for summer days where you can avail of a buffet breakfast, casual lunches and hearty evening meals. Perfect to satisfy your hunger pangs after a long run or a taxing day in the spa.
Two night’s accommodation with a very yummy breakfast each morning and a three course meal in the Fota Restaurant along with a facial or a massage in the spa costs €217 per room per night. Check out www.fotaisland.ie for further details.

14 July 2012
Run Killarney offers a unique opportunity to run 15 miles along a route of unrivalled beauty taking in parts of the Ring of Kerry, Killarney National Park and Muckross House. Aside from the view, the next best thing about this race is that it is fairly flat with lots of gentle declines along the way – so gravity will take you nearly all the way to the finish! A half marathon and 10km option are on offer. www.maximarathonkillarney.com

23 June 2012
Kicking off at 9pm in Marley Park, participants will be required to walk 30km through the night in aid of the Dublin and Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team. The proposed route is along the Dublin/Wicklow county boarder line. You have a great chance too of witnessing a stunning sunrise as this event lands on the summer solstice. Further details at www.dwmrt.ie

16 June 2012
If you are dipping your toe into triathlon for the first time and are still wary about the swim, then this race is for you. Set against the stunning backdrop of the scenic fishing village of Mullaghmore, Co Sligo, and the Atlantic Ocean, this sprint-distance event has an additional option of doing a 350m swim instead of the usual 750m. This event sells out fast as it is appealing to both novice and pro athletes. Further details at www.msctri.com

2 June 2012
The Connemara Rough Diamond consists of biking, hiking and running with a couple of quirky obstacles and a steeplechase thrown in for good measure. This race kicks off on Lettergesh Beach in Renvyle and finishes in Clifden where you will be treated to an array of live music and craic in the local bars. Further details at www.connemararoughdiamond.com

26 May 2012
A challenging course that has a series of steep inclines and will bring you off road at some points. This event is well worth the effort as you will be treated to a view like none other. You can choose from full marathon, half marathon or 10km depending on your fitness levels. Further details at www.clareburrenmarathonchallenge.com

Mark Pollock has been adventure racing all over the world, confronting some of the world’s toughest environments. He survived sub-zero Antarctic temperatures as he raced to the South Pole. He suffered in scorching heat, running six marathons in the Gobi Desert in one week. He has run a marathon at The North Pole, raced through the desert lowlands of the Syrian African Rift Valley to the Dead Sea and competed at high-altitude in the Everest Marathon.

This next challenge alone would be tough for anyone, but Mark has been blind since the age of 22 and in 2010 a life-threatening fall left him completely paralysed from the waist down. This makes their crossing quite a significant challenge.

They hope to raise enough money to enable Belfast Lough Sailability to continue the exceptional work they do, training disabled athletes and getting both kids and adults with disabilities to experience sailing. The Mark Pollock Trust hopes to raise funds to assist with the capital and on-going costs specifically associated with Mark’s spinal injury – including a team of care specialists, physiotherapy equipment, visits to Spinal Injury recovery centres and wheelchairs.

In 2007 Tiffany sailed across the Irish Sea in her Laser Radial sailing dinghy and raised enough money for the Belfast Lough Sailability to buy a specially adapted SKUD yacht (the new Paralympic class). This is the boat they will use for the Irish Sea challenge.

The Mark Pollock Irish Sea Challenge is sponsored by Belfast Harbour, BTWCairns, Priory Press, Navigator Blue Ltd and Eyekiller.

You can donate online at www.irishseachallenge.co.uk.

If you’ve ever wanted to climb Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Ulster or Ben Nevis, Scotland’s highest peak, but you’d prefer to do it with a group and a guide, now is your chance!

Concern’s Slieve Donard climb takes place on 12 May. Registration is €25 and the fundraising target is just €50.

This hike is part of the Climb for Concern series which sees walkers scale the highest mountain in each province of Ireland. The next hikes will be Lugnaquilla (June 23) and Carrauntoohill (September 15). Mweelrea was tackled back in 31 March.

Set up by two Concern volunteers, Larry Healy and John Corroon, the pair are also organising a Ben Nevis climb on the August bank holiday weekend (August 3-6).

All transport, accommodation and guides are provided for the event. The deposit is €100 and participants are asked to raise €500. Once you register, Concern will provide fundraising advice and support to help you reach the target. Training days will also be run to help you prepare for the event as well as meeting your fellow trekking buddies.

For more details, visit: www.concernchallenge.org/climb4concern