About IAAT

Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism (IAAT) is the independent representative association for the adventure tourism sector on the island of Ireland. This sector is one of the fastest growing and most exciting within Irish tourism and the IAAT aims to work with adventure tourism operators to develop the sector in a sustainable and responsible manner.

Today the association boasts over 250 members across the entire island of Ireland, with the members offering a rich array of adventure activities, in a sector that employs over 8,000 people.

IAAT’s primary work includes bringing the activity community together, supporting the development of quality standards in all aspects of activities, finding solutions to the insurance crisis, providing a range of supports to members including free training, and lobbying Government and the relevant authorities as required.

The association provides the sector with regular networking opportunities to meet, share challenges & opportunities, and indeed work closely as a community to ensure that Ireland is ultimately recognised as a world leader in adventure tourism. 

Our members include adventure centres, waterparks, tour operators and businesses offering kayaking, biking, hiking, rafting, horse-riding, surfing, coasteering, and many more activities. These businesses offer enjoyable activities to both domestic and international markets with activities that promote positive physical & mental health, risk education in controlled settings and pathways to long-term participation.

IAAT is partnered with the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation (ITIC), the Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA), Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, the Alliance for Insurance Reform, Leave No Trace Ireland, Sustainable Travel Ireland, FareHarbor, the European Confederation of Outdoor Employers (EC-OE) and the European Platform for Sport Innovation (EPSI).

The IAAT vision is for Ireland to be recognised as a world leader in adventure tourism. 

Board of Directors

Shane Young, Killary Tours/Adventure Centre (Galway) – Chairman 

Colin Wolfe, Connemara Wild Escapes (Galway) – Treasurer 

Eimear Flanagan, Away a Wee Walk (Belfast) – Secretary

Carina Conyngham, Rock Farm Slane (Meath)

Derek Binchy, Fota Island Adventure Centre (Cork)

Hugh Flood, Lazy Bikes (Dublin)

Richie O’Hara, BaySports (Westmeath)

Lorcan McBride, Far & Wild (Derry)

Maria Kennedy, Atlantic Sea Kayaking (Cork)

Maurice Whelan, Ireland Hike Bike (Kerry)

Martin McMullan, Life Adventure (Down)


Brendan Kenny – Chief Executive
[email protected]

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