Poor old Dad often gets forgotten in the crowded family mix! Make him feel special this year - and plan some special bonding time in a beautiful part of Ireland to mark Father’s Day on June 21st. Bring him cooking, fishing, golfing, whale watching - or pamper him on a boys spa break.

Here are ten inspiring Fathers’ Day gift ideas - but check out more at discoverireland.ie

1. Scale new Heights in Dublin

Your Dad may never have made it onto the pitch at Croke Park, but he can make his debut on the Skyline Tour with panoramic views all over Dublin. He better have a good head for height as the tour - which includes stops at five viewing platforms – takes place 17 story’s high. Afterwards drop into the GAA Museum with is special 1916 exhibition.

2. Get him hooked in Carlow

Cast out to Carlow and the foothills of Mount Leinster to Southern County Fishing Resort and Wildlife Park for a spot of fishing! Whether he is an expert fisherman or just a learner this is the perfect place for Dad to switch off and net some quality time on three different lakes.

3. Go Zorbing in the West (Mayo)

Get your Dad into a spin zorbing with Adventure West in Co. Mayo, a sport that involves tumbling downhill inside an inflatable ball! If he is still in one piece afterwards try abseiling, zipwiring or coasteering – before retiring to buzzing Westport for a well-deserved bite and a pint.

4. Have a whale of a time in West Cork

Be a shark and bring Dad on a fascinating whale watching trip with Whale Watch West Cork. Leaving from Baltimore Harbour you can hope to spot dolphins, seals, basking sharks, minke whales and the great fin whales. For something extra special sign up for the sunset trip - watching the sun go down in the west over Cape Clear Island. Bliss!

5. Chill him out with a Spa break

Who says pampering breaks are only for girls? In Ancient Rome, baths and spas were a place where men socialised with their peers - and even conducted business. So help your Dad discover his metro-sexual self and book him an exfoliating facials or deep tissue massage at one of the many spas around the country.

6. Lovely hurling in Kilkenny

Bring him to medieval Kilkenny where he can discover the secrets of The Cats hurling success at The Kilkenny Way, a two hour “tour and play” adventure. This includes a video introduction to hurling, a talk about the history and origin of the game and then hands on hurling skills in a local GAA club.

7. Rev it up!

Get dad into top gear and put him in the driving seat for a memorable Father’s Day on a high octane rally driving adventure with Extreme Sports who have rally schools in Waterford, Cork and Kilkenny. Once he is safely buckled up with an experienced instructor he will see first-hand how these exceptionally powerful machines are mastered.

8. Make it a smokin hot Father’s Day gift!

Does your Dad need help in the kitchen? Or a hand doing a summer barbeque? You can treat him to a cookery course at one of the many culinary schools in Ireland. There are lots of special Father’s Day packages available covering a weekend, or shorter one and half-day courses. The Cooks Academy in Dublin have Grill Academy courses – or check out the Meet the Craft Beer Producers evening!

9. Tee him up for golf

Encourage your Dad to chase some birdies around one of Ireland’s magnificent golf courses. You could treat him to an Irish Golf Pass that will have him teeing up at a range of courses. The Gateway to the South West Pass offers three rounds of golf at Bantry Bay, Kenmare and Beaufort Golf Clubs. For family bonding you can enter him for The World Invitational Father & Daughter Golf Tournament from July 23rd to 26th at Waterville Links course in Co. Kerry or The World Invitational Father & Son Golf Tournament at Waterville from August 5th – 9th.

10. Get into the spirit of Father’s Day

Make it a capital Father’s Day and bring him to Dublin to brush up on his whiskey tasting skills! He will be fascinated on The Jameson’s Distillery tour where he will learn how three ingredients make one of the best known Irish whiskeys in the world. The tour includes a tasting session and a complimentary dram of Jameson.