THE ALTERNATIVE GIFT GUIDE

• Published date: 12 December 2020
• Date: 12 December 2020

Outdoors subscriptions, memberships and experiences

1. OPW Heritage Card heritageireland.ie/visit/heritage-card) For the history buffs in your life, an Office of Public Works (OPW) Heritage Card unlocks pretty much every OPW site in the country for a year. Enjoy a year of ancient churches, beautiful gardens or impressive castles. Cards are €40 for adults, €30 for seniors, and €90 for a family of four.

2. Powerscourt Estate membership

( powerscourt.com/members) Craving nature and memorable family days? With annual membership to the Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow, people can enjoy year-round entry to Powerscourt Gardens as well as the waterfall and river walk. Individual membership costs €95; couple's membership is €130 and family membership is €165.

3. Birdwatch Ireland membership

( birdwatchireland.ie/get-involved/ join- us-become-a-member) Budding conservationists will find much to like in Birdwatch Ireland's annual membership, which includes issues of the charity's print magazine, as well as ongoing updates about birdwatching/wildlife events happening throughout the year. Individuals can sign up from €30 a year, groups can enjoy membership for €80 a year.

4. Dublin Zoo annual pass

( dublinzoo.ie/annual-passes/) A great way to support the capital's much-loved zoo in difficult times, this annual pass also affords holders admission to Fota Wildlife Park in Cork, and a handful of UK zoos. Discounts on events like Wild Lights can also be enjoyed. Individual passes are €130, allowing you to take along an adult or two children, while a family pass costs €190. 5. Community Gardens Ireland membership ( cgireland.org/membership/) Membership of Community Gardens Ireland (CG Ireland) is free, but if you'd like to make a donation on behalf of someone to CG Ireland, a donation will help the organisation in their ongoing conservation work, and will help to support social community gardening initiatives across Ireland.

6. Wilderness Ireland gift voucher ( wildernessireland.com/adventure- holidays /gift-vouchers/) If you know someone with a keen adventurous spirit who would benefit from an incredible holiday experience, the Wilderness Ireland gift voucher allows them to book one of the adventure company's scheduled group tours, self-drives or even a customised holiday. Gift vouchers are available for as little as €50.

7. Extreme Sports gift voucher

( extremesports.ie/giftvouchers/) The adrenaline junkies in your life will no doubt love a white-knuckle experience from one of Ireland's most established extreme sports companies. Choose white-water rafting in Donegal (€300), sea kayaking for two in Donegal (€80), or clay shooting in Monaghan (€80). Alternatively, simply avail of an open voucher and let the recipient do the choosing.

8. Bundoran Surf Company gift voucher

( bundoransurfco.voucherconnect. com) Family surf lessons are available to gift (€110) or, if you'd like to push the, um, boat out, a two-day "surf and stay" voucher, including surf lessons and two nights in Bundoran, costs €258. There are also individual surf lessons available (€35 for adults, €25 for kids aged 8-16). 9. Adventure West Mayo gift voucher ( allgifts.ie/Adventure-West-!393- giftpartner.html) Thrill-seekers are spoiled for choice with bestselling experiences, from abseiling (from €30) and coasteering (from €35) to hillwalking (from €30). A great way to enjoy the greater Clew Bay area in Westport.

10. Newcastle Airfield ( einc.ie/vouchers) Is someone you know craving to get back up into the air? With overseas travel still hanging in the balance for now, a flying lesson over the Wicklow landscape is the next best thing. At this Dublin airport, enjoy flight simulator sessions (€70 for...