Ireland's Association for Adventure Tourism

23/03/2026

🚀 A brilliant few days in Belfast and the north-west, with our IAAT start-of-season tourism forum and subsequent board meeting taking place in the grand surrounds of Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

Our own CEO Brendan Kenny was joined by host Joe O'Neill (CEO Belfast Harbour), IAAT Chair and proud Belfast woman Eimear Flanagan, Sheena Dickson (Outdoor Tourism Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland) and Ciaran Connolly of Profile Tree AI Marketing Agency, who looked at the latest practical AI tools, tricks & tips for the tourism industry.

It was also lovely to meet up with local IAAT members, and tourism family colleagues such as Janice Gault of Northern Ireland Hotels Federation, Allison Dowling of Molson Coors Beverage Company and Jacqui Quinn from Northern Ireland Tourism Alliance (NITA).

Whilst not without concerns and quite a few global unknowns, everyone is excited about the tourism season ahead. 🟢

11/03/2026

🎉 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | 𝐈𝐀𝐀𝐓

Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism (IAAT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Eimear Flanagan (Away A Wee Walk) as its new Chair.

We welcome Derek Binchy (Fota Island Adventure) as Secretary and David O'Donnell (Cool Runnings Events & Zipit Forest Adventures) as Treasurer.

IAAT is also delighted to have Edel O'Regan (EI Travel Group) joining the completed Board of Directors for 2026.

👏 Congratulations to all.

✍️ Press Release: https://iaat.ie/board-of-directors-for-2026/
🤝 Board of Directors here: https://iaat.ie/about-us/

Ireland’s Association for Adventure Tourism (IAAT) is pleased to announce the ratification of Eimear Flanagan as its new Chair.

30/01/2026

🌍 Global ambition.

The first 2026 board meeting of Ireland's Association for Adventure Tourism took place in Trinity College Dublin yesterday.

IAAT Board: https://iaat.ie/about-us/

15/01/2026

Our Chief Executive Brendan Kenny met with Minister Peter Burke and his team to discuss the cost of doing business challenges facing the activity tourism sector in 2026, as well as some of the exciting opportunities that also lie ahead.

The support of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment is greatly appreciated, and we look forward to resolving some of the issues in the way of growth and success.

27/11/2025

It was an informative morning at the conference, beginning with a warm welcome from Brendan Kenny, CEO of the IAAT. Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, then officially opened the event, highlighting its importance to the region. Colin Wolfe, Chair of the IAAT, followed with insightful remarks on the organisation’s current priorities and direction. Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation, also addressed attendees, expressing his thanks to Mayo County Council and all who joined, and emphasising the value of strong collaboration across the sector.

The conference is delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council, and in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Portwest.

Mayo.ie Mayo County Council
Portwest

26/11/2025

𝐈𝐀𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐔𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 2025

It’s here! We’re thrilled to bring the 2025 Adventure Tourism Conference to Knockranny House Hotel in the beautiful Westport in Co. Mayo, today and on Thursday 27th of November - delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council, and in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Portwest.

Kicking off this morning with our activity showcase with local Mayo providers: The Adventure Islands, Summer SUP, Westport Bikes, Go Treking, Westport Wolfhounds & Terra Firma Ireland.

Followed by B2B Marketplace with International, Irish buyers & Partners, a Mayo Tourism Showcase, leading Irish & international speakers, breakout sessions, industry exhibitors and endless networking opportunities.

Thank you to Tourism Ireland and Failte Ireland for their support in bringing in the International Buyers, which will support the sector for 2026 and beyond.

The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Imbas’, the old Irish art of gaining knowledge or inspiration from listening to nature.

📣Watch our socials especially on Instagram and stories for all the latest news over the next two days.

24/11/2025

🔴 As we approach our 2025 conference in Westport this week, here's a very quick reflection on the role of IAAT and this important annual event!



🙏🏽 The 2025 IAAT Conference is delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council, and in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Portwest.

23/11/2025

📣 At our annual conference this week, the 'Notes from the Sector' panel will discuss their own unique businesses, how 2025 went, and their outlook for the future, with Moderator Pól Ó Conghaile.

✅ Cindy Doyle - Co-Founder, adventure.ie Events - Store - Explore
✅ Muirtí Ó Cearnaigh - Managing Director, Summer SUP School
✅ Yuka Goodbody - Operations Director, BigStyle

21/11/2025

📣 Our '𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐢𝐞𝐰' panel is going to be fascinating next week, with speakers from Greenland, Germany and France! 🌍

✅ Saki Daorana is originally from Japan but now living in Greenland working on the development of water activity tourism.

✅ Hanno Windisch, originally from Germany, is now based in Northern Ireland, operating FreeDive NI, and brings a wealth of personal experience from around the world.

✅ And our returning friend Jean-Yves Lapeyrere from France is President of the European Confederation of Outdoor Employers (EC-OE), working with outdoor operators and organisations across the continent.

All ably moderated by Pól Ó Conghaile!

🙏🏽 The 2025 IAAT Conference is delivered in partnership with Mayo County Council, and in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland and Portwest - The Outdoor Shop.

18/11/2025

✨ 𝐈𝐀𝐀𝐓 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐑 𝐔𝐏𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄
As we seek to highlight the importance of improving Accessible & Inclusive outdoor activity facilities & supports, we're delighted to welcome the inspirational Geraldine Lavelle as our 'Spirit of Adventure' speaker this year.

Read more about Geraldine's story here: https://www.sportireland.ie/geraldine/profiles/geraldine-lavelle

⚠️ We will close off registrations this week, with remaining tickets available @ https://conference.iaat.ie

𝐷𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑔𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑖𝑙𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑢𝑔ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑒𝑙 𝑑𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑙𝑦

14/11/2025

Thanks to the Irish Self Self Catering Federation for inviting our CEO Brendan Kenny to speak at their wonderful conference in Clare.

Self catering accommodation is absolutely vital for many outdoor activity providers, and we support all efforts in ensuring that these businesses can continue to supply their important bed stock.