Feeling motivated to do something, but there’s a hurricane brewing outside? Here are some of the best activities to do on a rainy day in Ireland.
Sometimes there is nothing better than staying in your pyjamas on the couch all day, poring over maps or burying yourself in a good book, but sometimes it’s better to get up and get out there and seize the day. Here are 21 of the best activities in Ireland to entertain you on those miserable days.
1. Climb Walls
There are so many good climbing walls dotted around the country, that will give you a workout and your daily dose of adrenaline. In Dublin alone, there’s Gravity, Awesome Walls and the Dublin Climbing Centre where you can while away that rainy day for just a couple of quid.
2. Take an exercise class
There are so much more fun ways to exercise than running on a treadmill. Learn a skill, get in touch with your body and calm that restless mind of yours with boxercise, yoga, hot yoga, pilates, etc. Whatever you think of, there will probably be a class for it.
3. Swim
Get in some training or just go for a paddle in one of the hundreds of pools around the country. If you are looking for something a bit more adventurous. Take a quick dip in the sea, the rain is not going to make any difference there! Just make sure to have a massive towel waiting for you when you get out.
4. Do some extreme trampolining
There is no better way to spend a day than bouncing up and down on a load of trampolines. There is a Jumpzone in Dublin and We are Vertigo in Belfast. Two places perfect for a rainy day out, to unleash the child within you.
Weekend adventures for under €50 in the Shannon region
5. Drive a GoKart
Instead of staying in and playing Crash Team Racing, bring it to life with some indoor go-karting. Kartmania in Cork has a great indoor GoKarting track for kids and adults. Kylemore Karting in Dublin is another one, offering 10 minutes slots which will get you approximately 22 laps for €15.
6. Explore some caves
If it’s raining outside, then go underground! Epic Ireland offers full-day caving adventures in Galway for €99. If you don’t feel like being quite that active, Ireland has plenty of caves to explore without having to climb them. Some of our favourites are the Ailwee Cave, the Marble Arch Caves, and Dunmore Caves.
Weekend adventures for under €50 in Northern Ireland
7. Jump in a bog
View this post on Instagram
You’re going to have to venture outside for this one and you are going to get wet and mucky, so a little bit of rain isn’t going to make the slightest difference. The wetter it is, the more fun this will be! Causey Farm is the place to go for a spot of bog jumping.
8. Go ice-skating
View this post on Instagram
Enjoy year-round ice skating at Dundonald International Ice Bowl. Get practising before Christmas in Ireland’s only Olympic sized ice rink.
9. Dance your troubles away at a roller disco
View this post on Instagram
If you are after something to cheer you up on this rainy day,the Rinkis the perfect thing to do. Over on Dublin’s Long Mile Road, the flashing lights and pumping music will lift your spirits. They offer both open sessions and private skating lessons for adults and children, with prices starting from €10 per person.
10. Test yourself in the GoQuest Indoor Challenge Zone
If you were a fan of the TV show Crystal Maze then you need to go to GoQuest Indoor Challenge Zone. Out in the North Park Business Park in Finglas, the zone includes a purpose-built arena with 27 unique challenge rooms across four zones, where players complete a mixture of skill, light physical and mental challenges. Working in teams against the clock to get as many points in an allotted time. Sessions last up to two hours each and prices are from €16 upwards.
11. Escape the Adventure Room
Another fun team activity is the Adventure Room in Dublin. It’s a unique live escape challenge for teams of two to 14 people, where you solve puzzles to escape from a mysterious room/rooms within 60 minutes.
12. Go Scuba Diving
Last on the list for what to do on a rainy day is to commit to the fact that you are going to get wet and go scuba diving! There are loads of dive schools around the coast of Ireland, you are guaranteed to find one close to where you are.
13. Do a bushcraft survival skills course
Yes, you’ll get wet, but we figure if you are learning survival skills, you might as well learn how to survive in the worst kind of weather. Delphi Adventure Centre is one of the best companies running these courses.
14. Try indoor archery
Have flashbacks of your childhood school tours and take up archery once more. Release your inner Robin Hood by joining Wicklow Archery Club. It is one of many clubs offering indoor archery courses throughout the winter.
15. Visit a Museum
View this post on Instagram
Why not book a day in one of Ireland’s many museums? Ireland has an abundance of museums especially in Dublin city centre including the National Museum of Ireland. Go alone or bring some friends, it’s entirely up to you.
16. Visit the Guinness Storehouse
View this post on Instagram
Are you a Guinness fanatic? If so then you should book a day in the Guinness Storehouse. Take the tour and learn about the rich history of Ireland’s most iconic beer. After the tour you can take in 360 views of the city centre from the Gravity Bar.
17. Try out one of the Jameson Distillery experiences
View this post on Instagram
Yet another fun day out with friends for a rainy day. The Jameson Distillery on Bow Street in Dublin offers tours, tastings, cocktail making classes or the opportunity to draw whiskey straight from the cask.
18. Bring an umbrella and explore one of our beautiful cities
View this post on Instagram
Ireland is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the world. There’s nothing stopping you from grabbing that umbrella and going into one of the cities to explore and grab a bite to eat on a rainy day.
19. Climb the steps of Hook Head
Climb the lighthouse’s 115 steps. The view of the Cork coastline might not be ideal on a rainy day, but you’ll be inside and dry and the blood in your veins will be pumping.
20. Go on a road trip
View this post on Instagram
Grab a few friends, load up the car, put the tunes on and just drive. Ireland has so many great driving routes: the Causeway Coast, the Ring of Kerry and the Copper Coast to name just a few. Stop in all the little weird and wonderful places along the way for coffees and cakes. The one’s you would never stop at if you were rushing to a particular destination. Sit back, relax and enjoy.
21. Have a duvet day
If all else fails just have a semi-productive duvet day. Don’t leave the house, pore over maps, bake your heart out, light the fire and watch Netflix. Plan your next adventure, book flights, read a book, and order a take away from Just Eat. Perfection.
Check out our Hard as Nails Podcast:
Like this? You should check these out:
