Counties Mayo, Sligo and Monaghan have all been included in Lonely Planet's new 1000 Ultimate Adventures guide.

The guide features climbing Croagh Patrick in Mayo as the ultimate pilgrimage, surfing at Mullaghmore Head in Sligo and horse-riding on the Castle Leslie estate in Monaghan as part of its top ten list of adventure activities and destinations.

It follows last week’s announcement by the global Adventure Travel Trade Association that they will be holding their Adventure Travel World Summit in Ireland from the 6th to the 9th October next year across four days in Killarney.

The Minister of State for Tourism & Sport Michael Ring has welcomed the inclusion and says it provides high profile opportunities to influence one of the fastest growing areas of tourism.