Take a break with the kids

Fun and entertaining ideas to keep the kids busy

Fota Wildlife Park

If you love animals, Fota Wildlife Park in Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork is for you. Check out their Wild Experiences and learn more about the park’s conservation and breeding programmes at this 100acre outdoor attraction just 10km from Cork City.

Castlecomer Discovery Park

Nature is at the heart of Castlecomer Discovery Park in Co. Kilkenny. Explore the woodland walking trails, kids’ play area and fishing lakes. Will you dare to take on the Octagon? Look out for the mini-zipline as well as the magical elf and fairy village.

Dublin Festival of Curiosity

Dublin’s annual international festival of science, arts, design and technology takes place digitally from July 22-25. Stay curious and explore the world in a new and playful way. Watch out for announcements online.

Fjord kayaking

Killary Adventure Company offers a great escape into the wilderness, perfect for adults and kids alike. Kayak on Ireland’s only Fjord or test your nerves on climbing walls and high rope courses. Located on the Wild Atlantic Way in Leenane, Co. Galway.

Light Ballet

Light Ballet, created by light artist Mick Murray and lighting designer Matthew Cregan, is a continuously moving installation on a 15-metre vessel floating down the River Shannon through eight counties over eight days. Catch it as part of Brightening Air Coiscéim Coiligh, a 10-day nationwide season of arts experiences going from coast to coast between June 11-20.

Wexford whale

A large-scale whale mosaic is being created in Wexford town this June using shards of pottery that have washed up on the shores of Rosslare Harbour over the centuries. The Blue Whale ‘Hope’: Chainies Across The Sea projects, produced by Wexford Arts Centre in association with artist Helen McLean, will be installed permanently on the quay in Wexford.

A City & A Garden

Running in Dublin and Cork from June 11-20, A City & A Garden is a state-of-the-art installation by Sounds from a Safe Harbour Festival. Using only a smartphone and your imagination you can discover stories and songs hidden in the trees and bricks of our city spaces, interwoven with narratives and soundscapes guiding you along a Cork city street or The National Botanic Gardens of Ireland in Dublin. See social media for more details.

Waterford Walls

Imagine walking by a mural and seeing it come to life before your eyes… The Waterford Walls Project is making this an augmented reality, using the city’s existing public street art as the starting point for this digital experience. Ten murals previously created for Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival will come alive. The augmented reality app, from where you can experience the digital transformation of these artworks, is available to download from June 11.

Dolphins in Clare

Climb aboard the Dolphin Discovery in Kilrush, Co. Clare to see the country’s only resident group of bottlenose dolphins. You’ll see plenty of playful and charming antics from these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. The Shannon Estuary is the country’s first marine Special Area of Conservation. Tours leave daily from Kilrush Creek Marina.