From incredibly wild landscapes and free places to roam to interactive and educational museums, Ireland is an amazing country to visit with kids. With so many things to choose from, here is a list of some great things to do whether you head North, South or East on the Island.
Zipit – Dublin, Roscommon & Cork
Zipit is a high ropes course nestled in the treetops of stunning Irish Forest Parks in Roscommon, Cork and the Dublin Mountains. Discover your wild side with excitement and fun for all the family. Courses are built in a natural forest setting, offering the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the breathtaking Irish countryside.
Zipit’s fun-packed circuits include zip lines, swinging logs, cargo nets and rope bridges. There’s no need to be an expert or fully-fledged adrenaline junkie. Designed to be fun, challenging and perfect for anyone looking for adventure in the great outdoors, a trip to a Zipit course is perfect for everyone in the family!
Giants Causeway – Belfast
The Giants Causeway comprises around 40,000 thousands of hexagonal basalt columns that are 50- 60 million years old. Standing at 80 feet tall, and depending on who you believe, it is thought the stones were formed by an underwater volcano’s geological actions or by a giant named Finn McCool, who lived and battled along the north Antrim Coast.
Travel along the iconic Giant’s Causeway Coast Route in comfort, or let the kids clamber all over the rocks to their hearts’ content!
Fota Wildlife Park – Cork
Opened in 1983, Fota Wildlife Park is a 100-acre independently funded not-for-profit wildlife park.Home to nearly 30 mammal and 50 bird species, such as the ring-tailed lemurs and wallabies, Fota also has red pandas, tapirs, siamang gibbons and other types of animals.
Fota Wildlife Park is a perfect day out for people of all ages. It’s not an ordinary zoo as most of the animals roam free across acres of grassland. During a visit to Fota Wildlife Park you can see the animals being fed in the early morning and late afternoon. The Keepers also run daily talks about the care of the animals.
A 20-minute drive from Cork, Fota Wildlife Park is one of Ireland’s best places to visit for its “behind-the-scenes” tour, during which guests feed penguins, get close to baby cheetahs, and stroll with giraffes.
Waterford Greenway
The Waterford Greenway is the longest off-road walking and cycling route in Ireland. Featuring eleven bridges, three viaducts and a 400-metre tunnel, the path takes you through Waterford City, Mount Congreve, Kilmeaden, Kilmacthomas, Shanacool, Scartore and Dungarvan.
You have the option to hire a bike at the nearby Waterford Greenway bike hire, or you can explore the route by foot. ‘How long does it take to cycle the Waterford Greenway?’ you may ask. The answer is, it varies. By bike, if you want to go fast using this as a workout, you can easily do the 46km in under two hours. If you want to take a more leisurely approach to the 46km flat and smooth track you could take 3-4 hours and really enjoy the sights with the whole family. You also always have the option not to do the full 46km, but just a section of it. You can see why the Greenway is such a hit with families and people of all fitness levels, from walkers and joggers to cyclists.
For a great way to explore a little section of Ireland Ancient East, the Waterford Greenway is a no-brainer.
Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is one of Ireland’s most popular family attractions, with over one million visitors each year. Nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Phoenix Park in the heart of Dublin city, Dublin Zoo guarantees not only a fun-filled and exciting day out for all the family, but is also a wonderful place to learn more about the world’s precious wildlife and some exotic animals.
Dublin Zoo was opened in 1831 with 42 mammals and 72 different bird species donated by the successful London Zoo in 1840. Spreading over twenty-eight hectares, the zoo is home to over four hundred animals, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. The zoo does its best to ensure that the animals’ habitats are as close as possible to their natural environments. As a registered charity, the zoo is involved in conservation programmes and partners with zoos from all over the world to help to save endangered species from becoming extinct.
Kids and grown-ups alike love a trip to Dublin Zoo. Combine this with a picnic in the Phoenix Park and you have the perfect family day out.