Learn to swing: Almost every golf club in Ireland offers lessons with a pro. Or try MacGregor Academy in City West for video-analysis lessons. Also in Dublin, Active Golf in Crumlin is suited to advanced golfers, offering high-tech swing analysis, though they give tuition to golfers of all standards. See www.activegolf.ie
Skirmish: Get rid of all his pent-up aggression shooting paintballs at friends and foes in a 30-acre forest with six purpose-built war game areas. Vouchers available from €10 from Skirmish on 1890-222773, www.skirmish.ie.
Carve your name with pride: Creative types can activate the right side of their brains on a woodcarving course with Joey Burns in Co Cavan. Joey takes absolute beginners and sends them home three days later with two complete carvings. Vouchers for the course cost €250, from 043-81408/086-8422538.
Top of the world: An introductory flying lesson could be just the ticket. Niamh Stanford of the Irish Aviation Authority (01-6031407) has contact details for Ireland's 32 flying schools.
Action man: Tiglin, the National Mountain and Whitewater Centre, based near Roundwood in Co Wicklow, will provide vouchers for a range of adventure sports, land and water-based, from kayaking to mountaineering. www.tiglin.com.
Subscription to a publication: Check out the selection in newsagents. Most contain subscription forms, and the arrival of each new issue through the letterbox is a pleasant surprise.
Extreme winetasting: Mary Dowey's three-day intensive course at Ballymaloe House, Shanagarry, Co Cork (March 11th-13th) is not for wimps. Expect tasting, tutoring and trend-spotting. Course and two nights' accommodation, €728-€768; course and three nights, €810-€870. www.winefeast.com.
You'll never beat the Irish: How about tickets to follow the boys in green as they play Israel (March 26th); Faroe Islands (June 8th) and Cyprus (October 8th). Ticket information from www.fai.ie. Or if the oval ball is more his taste, plan for the Ireland/Italy showdown in Rome (February 2nd), or the away matches closer to home at Murrayfield (February 12th) and Cardiff (March 19th). Details at www.irishrugby.ie.
On course: Tickets to join the Irish invasion of Cheltenham's Festival of Racing (March 15th-18th) are already selling fast, with a record crowd expected to follow Best Mate's bid for an historic fourth Gold Cup win in a row. Book at www.cheltenham.co.uk.
Just the ticket: Vouchers for concert tickets, €5, €10 and €20 denominations, available online from www.ticketmaster.ie or from ticket centres countrywide.