65 / 114
Be Our Guest
65
Wicklow Gaol,
Wicklow
The once infamous Wicklow Gaol
operated between 1702 and 1922 and
played an important role in our
history. Today, its brilliant tour guides
help accentuate the spooky
atmosphere – the place is said to be
haunted after all!
Carlingford Adventure
Centre, Louth
The pretty, medieval town of
Carlingford has little trouble
attracting day-trippers and
thrill-seekers, who have plenty to do
here. Whether it’s zorbing,
rock-climbing or abseiling at
Carlingford Adventure Centre, there’s
something to appeal to all the family.
Cavan Burren Park
Discover one of the country’s most
striking landscapes, where neolithic
tombs, hut sites and ancient rock art
coexist alongside 19th century ruins
and 350 million-year-old fossils.
Cavan Burren Park is a great spot if
you’re seeking family fun in the great
outdoors.
Birr Castle, Offaly
The famous Leviathan telescope will
appeal to amateur astronomers
everywhere, but children have plenty
to do at Birr Castle too: the country’s
largest treehouse is here, plus an
abundance of sand pits and climbing
frames.
Irish National Stud,
Kildare
The Irish National Stud is one of the
world’s leading thoroughbred
breeding centres – take a tour to see
these magnificent animals up close.
No visit is complete without time
spent in the adjoining Japanese
Gardens – a horticultural wonder
designed by one of Japan’s great
gardeners.
Loughcrew Adventure
Centre, Meath
Fancy braving the longest zip-line in
Ireland? It’s just one of the attractions
at Loughcrew Adventure Centre near
Oldcastle where visitors of all ages
can enjoy tree-climbing, archery and
a test of skill and endurance called
‘witches’ ropes.
Tayto Park, Meath
he essential family destination-
a theme park and a zoo rolled into
one. Tayto Park is home to Europe’s
biggest wooden roller-coaster
(Cú Chulainn Coaster) and a large
selection of beastly and beautiful
animals including tigers, bison and
snakes. Along with the Cú Chulainn
Coaster Tayto Park also houses a
zip-line, sky walk, climbing walls and
slides.
Phoenix Park, Dublin
The Phoenix Park is one of the largest
enclosed recreational spaces within
any European capital city. It is home
to many mammals and birds, and a
wide range of wildlife habitats are to
be found in the park. But if you’re
looking for something a little less
native to these shores, Dublin Zoo is
located within the grounds of the
park. Among the other key attractions
of the Phoenix Park are Áras an
Uachtaráin, the residence of the
President of Ireland dating from 1750,
the Victorian People’s Flower
Gardens, Ashtown Demesne and
Farmleigh, which holds regular craft
and food markets.
Little Museum Of
Dublin
“Dublin’s best museum experience”
according to the Irish Times, this
gem will transform your conception
of what a museum visit is. Walking
tours, retro exhibits, a large showing
of U2 memorabilia and bite-sized
movies are among the large
collection of alternative displays.
Inny River,
Ballymahon, Longford
Experience Irish rivers in a new way.
White-water river tubing is a new
adventure in Ireland which is now
available at Inny River in Ballymahon
Co. Longford. The Inny River is ideal
for getting a taste of the white-water
environment from a tube as well as
an abundance of other water or land
based activities.
TOP
10
FAMILY
THINGS
TO DO
Ireland’s east is crammed
with wonderful, quirky
things to do for all the
family. Whether it’s
exploring the spooky
dungeons of Wicklow
Gaol or zip-lining in
Meath,there’s a wealth of
memories to be made.