Especially in autumn Ireland is worth a trip. At this time of year, the moor and heathland landscapes glow purple and crimson, like in the Wicklow Mountains. After a hike with numerous impressions, a warm seaweed bath invites you to relax before you return to the starry sky in one of the national parks.

Here are four activities that are particularly lovely during the Irish autumn.

Discover the wild side of Ireland

He raised his wolves with a feeding bottle. He freed his bears from traumatic captivity in cramped cages. Wildlife is his passion, says Killian McLaughlin. The nature lover and animal rights activist has made a dream come true - for himself, for his animals - certainly also for Ireland - and of course for many enthusiastic guests: McLaughlin runs the youngest and at the same time most historic animal park on the island. 

"Wild Ireland" tells the story of the extinct species of Ireland and is also a refuge for the bullied animals of the modern world. Above all, the park is a Noah's Ark for remaining and endangered native species. 

Explore the starry sky

County Mayo in Ireland impresses with its great closeness to nature. Where Mount Nephin and the endless moors dominate the landscape during the day, at night it is the incomprehensible expanse of the Milky Way. The Wild Nephin Ballycroy National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland and the first and so far only Dark Sky Park on the Emerald Isle.

Especially in autumn and winter the park promises very special highlights: Countless shooting star tails, which often develop into meteor showers and can be seen at the time of the Leonid streams. Absolutely unforgettable on clear, dark nights.

Getting to the bottom of the superfood seaweed

It doesn't look particularly gusty when it's floating in the water in a reddish-brown colour. But seaweed is a permanent fixture in Ireland. "Dulse" (from Irish duileasg) is what the Irish call seaweed, or "kelp" in English. It is as Irish as the potato and is enjoyed raw, as a smoothie, in scones or with pasta.

Nowhere in Ireland is dulse as famous as in the town of Ballycastle in County Antrim in Northern Ireland. It lies on the North Channel just across from Scotland with views of the islands of the Inner Hebrides

Exploring the hiking trails

The "National Famine Way" was opened in June 2021. A highly historical outdoor experience. Here bikers and hikers are on historical tracks. Countless starving people were driven out by their English landlords during the Great Famine in 1847 - at the height of the famine - and forced into emigration. Even today, this great hardship is anchored in the consciousness of the Irish.

A self-guided tour - with signposts and map - this family-friendly long-distance walk follows the historic path from Strokestown Park through six counties to Dublin's Quays. From Ireland's hearty middle till the historic East. The modern National Famine Way is signposted throughout and is also digitally signposted. Over exactly 167 km - always along the banks of the Royal Canal - it connects the "National Famine Museum" in County Roscommon with the "Rowan Gillespie's Famine Memorial" at Custom House Quay in Dublin.