Leitrim named in the top 10 of Ireland's most outdoorsy counties
The county took a top spot alongside Kerry, Galway, and Cork
Leitrim has been named among the country's most outdoorsy counties, according to new research.
The study carried out by BUNAC, a company that offers summer camps in the US and working holidays, has revealed which Irish counties produce the most outdoorsy personalities.
To find where those qualities run deepest, BUNAC combined data across Mountaineering Ireland, home to the country's hillwalkers and climbers; Scouting Ireland, including its sea scouts; and the GAA, the backbone of community sport in almost every county.
BUNAC measured each county's activity against its population using CSO Census 2022 figures.
Every summer, thousands of young Irish people swap home for an American summer camp, spending nine to twelve weeks teaching children to swim, climb, kayak and sail.
In 2025, Ireland sent 1,724 camp counsellors to the US, making it one of the top sending countries in the world.
They say camp directors look for the same qualities year after year. Young people who are comfortable outdoors, happy leading a group of children, and able to teach a sport or skill.
Tipperary, Wicklow, Galway, Waterford, Cork made up the top five most outdoorsy counties in the country, while Kerry, Leitrim, Clare, Sligo and Kilkenny closed out the list.
“This research shows just how much of that talent is built at home, on our hills, in our scout halls and on our GAA pitches,” said Head of Ireland & Advocacy at BUNAC.