Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland competition: what it's all about

The Irish Times hunt for The Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland continues. Our aim is to discover the best spots in the 32 counties to experience nature: from mountain walks and tranquil cruises, to surfing western waves and coasteering on our rocky shores.

During the month of April, more than 3,800 people nominated locations around the country: national parks, shorelines, inland waterways, birdwatching paradises, and districts that offer a range of experiences like the Cooley or Inishowen peninsulas. There were also city oases like Howth in Dublin, and several people nominated an entire county.

These were then put before a panel of The Irish Times judges, who have now chosen their top contenders. Our team of researchers is visiting them at present, meeting local experts and finding spots where you can rent bikes or kayaks, take surfing or paddle-board classes, or simply get away from it all in the Irish wilderness.

In early June we’ll name one destination as The Best Place to Go Wild in Ireland.