Never mind the weather, there's no better way to take in Ireland's natural beauty than with your own two feet.

The country's terrain takes in bogs, forests, rock-studded mountains, lush farmland, green valleys, windswept coastlines, breathtaking peninsulas and limestone cliffs. To boot, the countryside is dotted with ancient burial chambers, prehistoric stone circles and Iron Age castles.

Drinking in Ireland is a religion that gives the Catholic Church a run for its money.

The Irish are the most enthusiastic tea drinkers in the world and it is hard to make it past the doormat of any home without being offered a cup. However, the Starbucksification of the world has not escaped Ireland, and nowadays lattes are more ubiquitous than the proverbial Irish coffee.

You're going to get wet and windswept in Ireland anyway, so you might as well do it on a surfboard. The water is at its warmest and the swells are highest in September and October when world-class waves crash into the West Coast from the Atlantic.

Top places to surf include Inchydoney and Barleycove in County Cork, Achill Island in Co Mayo, Easky in Co Sligo, Lahinch and Spanish Point in Co Clare, Castlegregory in Co Kerry, Rosslare Strand in Co Wexford, Portrush on the Antrim coast and Bundoran and Rossnowlagh in Co Donegal.