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

Eimear is the owner of Away A Week Walk, a Belfast-based hiking tourism business, which primarily showcases Ireland’s Causeway coast to an international market. She joined the IAAT Board of Directors in 2019 and has previously served as Treasurer and Secretary. She now assumes the role of Chair for a two-year term, becoming the first Northern Ireland-based director to lead the Association.

Commenting on her appointment, Eimear said:
“I am honoured to be appointed as Chair of IAAT and proud to be the first non-founder, first Northern-based, and first female Chair of the Association. I joined IAAT to support its work in positioning Ireland as a world-class destination for outdoor activities, and I am also delighted to contribute to the continued development of outdoor and adventure tourism in the North.

Ireland’s adventure tourism industry lives and breathes authentic, slow and sustainable tourism. To have been part of the story of bringing this regionally dispersed, passionate, indigenous, industry together to advocate for our collective interests and that of our guests and our host rural communities is one that has brought immense professional pride to myself and that of our committed board.”

Joining Eimear in officer roles are Derek Binchy of Fota Adventure Centre, who takes up the position of Secretary, and David O’Donnell of Cool Runnings Events & Zipit Forest Adventures, who assumes the role of Treasurer.

Edel O’Regan of EI Travel Group also joins as a Director, completing the IAAT Board for 2026. Edel brings a wealth of experience and passion for adventure tourism, having run her own company Ériu Tours for many years as well as working with a huge number of key stakeholders in the sector for the past 15 years.

The updated Board of Directors may be viewed here: About Us – IAAT