Fun for Kids

Touring Ireland (or anywhere) with kids requires some extra thought to make sure everyone is happy and enjoying themselves. These places are all especially fun for or welcoming to children, or are places you might like to have in mind as a backup if the weather is not cooperating.

There is general advice about touring Ireland with kids, and also, because cities can be specially exhausting, a series of suggested itineraries for how to spend time around Dublin as a family. Look out for the Fun for Kids icon as you browse the site for places that children will especially enjoy.

A Guide to Touring Ireland with Kids

Children are welcomed almost everywhere in Ireland, but touring anywhere as a family can have its moments.

Powerscourt House & Gardens

Situated on a hill near Enniskerry in Co Wicklow, Powerscourt House has a fascinating history, as do the impressive gardens which surround it.

Beaches in Co Wicklow

With easy access from Dublin, Wicklow's beaches have long been a popular escape from the city, especially when temperatures soar.

Beaches in Co Wexford

Wexford means holiday time for a lot of Irish people and each summer sees families descend on the many fine beaches in numbers.

Beaches in Co Waterford

The Waterford coast is something of a hidden gem, treasured by those who know it but often overlooked by visitors.

Marlay Park

On a sunny day in Dublin Marlay Park is buzzing with visitors picnicking on the grass, walking the forest trails, taking the kids to the playground, …

Doneraile Court & Wildlife Park

This walled park, extending over more than 400 acres and bisected by the Awbeg River has formal gardens, sweeping parkland vistas, groves of …

The Wonderful Barn

Built on the original grounds of Castletown House, this amazing and beautifully named building really is wonderful and well worth a post all of its own.

Rock of Dunamase

Dunamase Castle, built on a high limestone outcrop overlooking a flat plain, has been a ruin for almost 700 years, but is still worth seeing.

Mitchelstown Cave

Mitchellstown varies from most of Ireland's other show caves in being a very low key place, still owned and run by the same family on whose land it …

Museum of Natural History

Known as the 'dead zoo' to Dubliners this is an amazing collection of animals, insects and birds in a beautiful and historic museum building.

Three Days in Dublin with Kids

Dublin is a good city for kids, with lots of attractions they will enjoy and activities specially aimed at younger visitors.

The Ulster Museum

This has always been an excellent museum to visit, especially with children who particularly love the natural history section.

Westport House and Gardens

An interesting old house in a beautiful location with Clew Bay on one side and a serenely lovely lake on the other.

Cobh Heritage Centre

This fascinating centre tells the often tragic story of Irish emigration in a most vivid way and also commemorates the departure of the Titanic from …

Kilkenny Castle

One of the earliest and most important Norman castles in Ireland sits high on a hill overlooking the river Nore at the heart of the city that grew up …