In the long and tumultuous history of Ireland, archery has played a prominent part. From early hunters, through to the period of the mediaeval High Kings, and even the Norman invasion led by Richard de Clare - better known as Strongbow for his skill with a bow and the prominence of archers in his army - this discipline has helped shape the Irish story. Nowadays we don’t have to rely on bows and arrows to find our food or exert our influence, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve consigned this activity to history, because there’s something about this sport that continues to enthral us.

Whether it’s the pleasure of sinking an arrow in a target, the peace of mind that comes with focusing on the aim of the arrow, the chance to spend time in the great outdoors or the community that surrounds it, the reasons for taking take up archery are as diverse as the number of people who enjoy this sport. If you’re in Ireland, you’re in a fantastic place to try it yourself. High quality equipment, good company, and, perhaps most importantly, beautiful scenery in the background, make the simple act of firing arrows a true pleasure on this enchanted isle.

Where are the best places to do archery in Ireland?

• Dublin: You can take up a bow and arrows In the capital itself. One of the best locations in the city is Luttrellstown Castle, a real fifteenth century Irish stronghold with enough character to take you back in time to the middle ages. Not far from the city, in County Kildare, you can experience the modern innovation in combat sports known as Archery Tag. This is a team game where you use safety bows and arrows to beat your opponent and claim the prize.

• The northeast: On the banks of Carlingford Lough, an inlet of the Irish Sea which separates the Republic from Northern Ireland, there’s a range in green countryside where you can enjoy a shoot with a view. Another good place to try this sport is near the town of Kildare.

• Central area: The Counties of Meath, Monaghan and Offaly are landlocked in the centre of the island. With no large cities and not many big roads, it’s easy to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life here and find focus on an archery range. And there are fantastic locations in this part of the country that will make the experience all the more enjoyable. There’s a range on the banks of the most important river, the Shannon, where you can use modern bows or traditional longbows. Other options are on the River Boyne in a charming valley, or in the area of Inniskeen town.

• Limerick. The Shannon traverses the island and meets the waters of the Atlantic in a long sea lough. Limerick is at the head of this lough and hosts several opportunities. One of the best is a range hidden deep in the forest, where standard bullseye targets have been replaced by 3D model animals. This will awaken the primal instincts of the hunter in you as you stalk your prey and train an arrow on its neck!

• Clare: County Clare is on the wild Atlantic coast of the country. You can enjoy this activity not far from the waves in the resort town of Kilkee, or connect with history at Dromoland Castle, the ancestral home of the O'Brien family who are descendants of the legendary High King Brian Boru. The outline of the castle is imposing, but every guest is treated like royalty here.

• Galway: Clare’s neighbour is equally rich in natural and historical detail. Another ancient fortification, Ashford Castle, is the setting for a fantastic experience on the shore of Lough Corrib. With spectacular views on a good day, and an indoor range when the rain falls, this is a treat at all times of the year. Or you can head out to the remote Connemara peninsula, where high mountains tumble downwards to dramatic coastlines. This can be the backdrop for your bow and arrow adventure, near the town of Leenane.

• Donegal: Tucked up in the northwest of the island, Donegal is sometimes overlooked by travellers. This is a great mistake, as it’s one of the most beautiful parts of the country and has some excellent facilities for leisure and tourism. One of the most popular places to practise this sport is outside “the Cathedral Town,” Letterkenny.

Requirements to do this activity

Archery, in its modern incarnation as a recreational sport, is truly an activity for everyone. If you’re in Ireland, we encourage you to bring the whole family for a shoot. On some ranges, children as young as 8 years old can shoot, on others the minimum age is 10 years old, and some will let everyone take part so long as they’re as tall as the bow. There’s no upper limit on participation so take grandma and grandpa too!

Like in the days of old, when battalions of archers marched together across the island to take part in historic battles, this is an activity that’s most effective when done as a group. To make a booking with some providers around the country, you’ll need to have at least 2 participants, and sometimes more, to arrange a session. If you’re going to try the dynamic team combat sport of Archery Tag, you need at least 2 teams of 4 players, so 8 groups of 8 are the smallest option. Whether you choose target shooting or the battle mode, it’s a great plan for a birthday, a stag or hen party, or any other kind of special occasion.

How long does this experience last?

You might well discover after taking part in a session that this is a sport which will stay with you for a lifetime. But you have to start somewhere. Sessions for beginners are usually long enough to let you get a feel for the equipment and the techniques, but short enough that your arm doesn’t get tired from drawing back the bowstring. You might notice that your expert instructor has pretty well developed upper body muscles which allow them to keep firing arrows all day long. The shortest events are just 30 minutes long, while most last between an hour and 90 minutes. If you've tried this sport before, or if you really want to take it seriously, you should look for longer options, some of which are 2.5 hours in duration.

Go for gold by making a reservation with us today!