FAMILY BREAKS IN IRELAND’S HIDDEN HEARTLANDS
GET YOUR THRILLS AT A FOREST PARK
A world of adventure waits at Lough Key Forest Park. Located near Boyle, Co Roscommon, this get-away-from-it-all place of lakes and woods offers an enormous range of possibilities for lovers of the outdoors. Cyclists have their pick of cycling routes — and electric bike aficionados are catered for, too. You can even have an adventure in the woodland on a Segway. And for a great view, try zip-lining through tree canopies. This is a place for young and old.
Families looking for a wonderfully sedate experience should jump aboard one of the vessels operated by Moon River Cruise located close by. It’s one of the best ways to get a feel for our longest river, the Shannon, in a short space of time. Go aboard at Carrick-on-Shannon and enjoy an hour on Ireland’s most fabled watercourse.
HAVE A WATER-BORNE ADVENTURE
Lough Derg has long been a playground for watersports lovers and those who simply enjoy its tranquil waters and beautiful shores. University of Limerick’s Sports Activity Centre is located at Killaloe, Co Clare, and is a vibrant centre for watersports such as canoeing, kayaking and sailing. And if power boating is your thing, they can arrange that too. The guides are passionate about passing on a love of water to children and there are several activities to appeal to kids of all ages.
Shannon Boat Hire also offers a fabulous ‘Workshop for Little Fishermen’ which helps boys and girls hoping to make their first catch as well as expert advice for more experienced little fishers. There is a large selection of fine restaurants in Killaloe and Ballina, just across the border in Co Tipperary. Try The Pipers and Wood & Bell.
TRY A PLAYGROUND ON WATER
Fancy trying the world’s largest floating slide? It’s one of the many attractions offered by Bay Sports at Hodson Bay Pier, Co Roscommon. In what’s nothing short of a Mecca for water-loving kids, there are all manner of fun obstacles to tackle — it’s a little bit like moving a playground onto water. Children must be six years or older, and an ability to swim is required. Hodson Bay is on the shores of Lough Ree — one of the great lakes of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
There are several boat tours available, including those that travel into Athlone. Here you can stop off to refuel in Sean’s Bar — thought to be one of the country’s oldest pubs — and the family-friendly Athlone Castle, which played a major part in the Siege of Athlone in 1690, is a must-see.