Mykidstime Guide to Family Holidays in Ireland 2013 by Mykidstime

The Mykidstime Family Guide Holidaying in Ireland 2013

The Mykidstime Family Guide Holidaying in Ireland 2013 Family Friendly Hotels......................................................... 4 Rainy Days......................................................................... 5 Self Catering....................................................................... 6 Camping & Caravaning....................................................... 7 Child Friendly Places To Eat................................................ 7 Destination Westport.......................................................... 8 Events................................................................................ 9 Fun Things To Do This Summer........................................ 12 East............................................................................. 12 South East................................................................... 12 Midlands...................................................................... 13 South & South West.................................................... 13 West & Mid West ........................................................ 13 North West.................................................................. 14 North East................................................................... 14 10 Other Fun Places To Visit........................................ 14 Get Up Get Out! with Coillte Outdoors.............................. 14

Welcome to the Mykidstime Family Guide to Holidaying in Ireland for 2013. We have put together ideas on places to stay with a range of accommodation from family-friendly hotels to self-catering options to campsites that the kids will love. We constantly update our Family Friendly Hotels page so please do visit it to keep up-to-date with the latest offers. As well as accommodation options, we have information on some of the great festivals and events taking place this summer which will give you some ideas on places to go. And finally, we have included some hidden gems around the country that you may not know about! Have a great time planning and enjoying your staycation!

The Mykidstime Team

Family Friendly Hotels

Renvyle House – Galway

Renvyle House is celebrating 130 years of hospitality this year. It is an historic award winning country house hotel, situated in the wild splendour of Connemara on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel is located on 200 acres which include a private lake, a 9-hole golf course, a beach, woodlands and gardens. We offer a warm welcome for every guest, delicious food and comfortable bedrooms. Free on-site leisure facilities include; golf, tennis, swimming pool, boating and canoeing, fly-fishing, snooker, croquet.

The Ardilaun Hotel – Galway

The ideal setting for fun family breaks offering luxury accommodation, Leisure Club with 18m pool, lush gardens and Koala Kids Club.

Kenmare Bay Hotel – Kerry

Very much geared towards the family, the Hotel features a Kids Club, Leisure Centre with a 20m pool, drop-in playroom, a kids’ corner in the restaurant and an outdoor playground.

Westgrove Hotel - Kildare

With deluxe family rooms, Groovies Kids Club and leisure centre with 20m pool, families will have hours of fun at Westgrove Hotel.

Clifden Station House – Galway

This family friendly hotel is located in Clifden town adjacent to beaches, horse-riding, fishing, Connemara National Park – you will be spoiled for choice with things to do, no matter what the weather!

The McWilliam Park – Mayo

Enjoy our Spacious Family Hotel Rooms with a Double and 2 Single Beds in each. Leisure centre with 18m pool and Bizzie Bees Kids Club. Close to many great family friendly attractions.

Diamond Coast – Sligo

Our Family rooms are the largest in the North West. We offer imaginative children’s menus and have a well equipped children’s entertainment room. With Enniscrone blue flag beach and Waterpoint Aqua Park on the doorstep you won’t be bored!

Carlton Hotels - Nationwide

Mini Explorers Adventure Starts Here! The Carlton Hotel Group strives to ensure that your family holiday is an enjoyable occasion for you and we are sure the whole family will love Mini Explorer Holidays!

Headfort Arms - Meath

The Headfort Arms Hotel has been a family run Hotel for over 35 years with an emphasis on the personal touch. In the Centre of the Boyne Valley we are only a short distance from all major Family and Historical locations.

Malin Hotel - Donegal

At the heart of Inishowen is the bijou, cosy Malin Hotel offering the perfect base to explore local attractions. Horse riding, Island Trips, Angling, Kayaking and Golf are some of the many activities the Malin Hotel can arrange.

Rainy Day Ideas We have lots of ideas and suggestions for places to go on Rainy Days for each county in Ireland. 5

Self-Catering Kenmare Bay Holiday Homes - Kerry

Kenmare Bay holiday homes are perfect for families as they can sleep up to 7 people. Each has a double bedroom en suite, a twin room, a single room and a sofa bed in the lounge. Families can avail of all the hotel facilities.

Clifden Station House Holiday Homes - Galway

Choose from 2 or 3 Bedroomed Suites. Each apartment is decked out to a high spec with all mod cons, dishwasher, washer/dryer, microwave, TV & DVD player to name but a few. All guests in the apartments have full use of the leisure centre facilities & complimentary parking on site.

Westgrove Hotel Apartments – Kildare

Our Executive Apartments offer 1 separate bedroom, (some with 1 double and 1 single bed), a separate living room with double sofa bed, kitchen area and bathroom. This very spacious room type is ideal for families with the kitchen having a microwave, fridge, kettle etc. as well each apartment contains a DVD player and 2 TVs.

Slane Farm Hostel - Meath

Slane Farm’s historic coach house and stable have been converted into a luxury hostel, 4-star approved cottages and a camping & caravan site. It is the ideal base for visiting Newgrange, Tara, Slane, Kells, Trim, Drogheda and Navan. The surrounding countryside is suitable for walking, fishing, horse riding, golf, tennis, pitch & putt, canoeing, horse racing and cycling.

Download our Free Smartphone App

Available for both Android and iPhone, our Mykidstime Smartphone App will give you up to date information on things to do and what’s on. 6

Camping & Caravaning Westport House - Mayo

Westport House Caravan & Camping Park is a family-run & family-friendly park set in the lush grounds of Westport House beside Westport Quay. You’ll find yourself in a natural environment surrounded by ancient trees with Croagh Patrick and Clew Bay in the background. The camper’s dream! Onsite has free hot showers, WiFi, recycling, picnic & washing up areas.

Lough Key Forest Park - Roscommon

Experience the delights that North Roscommon has to offer. Why not book a pitch for your tent or caravan in the Lough Key Caravan & Camping Park, open from Easter to September. It has 52 landscaped, secluded pitches, Tent space, shower block & recreational area or Moor your boat on our 40 berth marina.

Slane Farm Hostel - Meath

Pure Camping - Loop Head, Clare

Purecamping is simply that. Giving you, our guests a pure experience of outdoor life and camping as it should be and allowing you to tread lightly on the earth for a little while. It offers you an escape from busy complicated lives and hopes to bring you some peace and clarity. The camp embraces sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, solar heating and composting toilets. As well as standard pitches, we also offer pre-erected furnished bell tents for those light travelers.

Child Friendly Places To Eat Check out all the local places that parents have recommended for child friendly dining from cafés to restaurants 7

Outdoor Facilities Westport House grounds have a massive family ‘Camping Area’ which accommodates everything from tents to camper vans. The town also has a brilliant playground equipped with the best of slides, swings and climbing structures. One of the latest outdoor additions to the town’s amenities is the state of the art Skate Park, a structure that will surely not disappoint skaters of all levels of ability, with basketball, soccer, tennis facilities all to hand, as well as a stunningly scenic golf club. About Westport Westport town is situated along the western coast of Ireland and is the best “Staycation” town in Ireland. The town itself is located in a charming valley surrounded by stunning mountain and sea views along its periphery, and is a one stop destination for families as everything is on your doorstep; accommodation options for all budgets ranging from camping to luxury 4 star hotels, activities to suit everyone and all ages with over 30 different outdoor activities to choose from. Enjoy seaside activities with the nearby coastline boasting several blue flag beaches in very close proximity to the town. Great news for those with an interest in Sea Angling, and many boat operators offer fishing trips out the Bay for families. Horseback Riding is great for families who wish to tour the rugged landscape of Westport and surrounding areas. The ‘Great Western Greenway’ Ireland’s only traffic free cycling and walkway extends for 42km between Westport and Achill, while out in Clew Bay, you can explore all there is to offer by kayak, sailing, and more! Eating and Drinking in Westport Westport has a huge range of day and night time dining options with dozens of restaurants ranging from Fresh Sea Food, Italian, Indian, Chinese, Mediterraean, Fish ‘n’ Chips, home cooking, vegetarian and healthy food. For those who wish to go for a drink and experience local bands and traditional music, you are spoilt for choice.

Child friendly Facilities in Westport For visiting families coming to Westport, several of the town’s hotels have kids clubs for the younger members of the family and older clubs for the teens. There are also baby-sitting facilities available on request from hotel reception. Several of Westport’s hotels also have full leisure facilities with both adult and child pools and have won family-friendly awards. The restaurants and bars are also family friendly and there is an abundance of adventure activities to entertain your older children.

Indoor Facilities Westport House has always been a family favorite for visitors with historical artifacts as well as a whole host of attractions for kids. Westport’s Cineplex with 3 screens, Westport Leisure Park with child and adult’s pools and the Westport Sports Complex offer great badminton, squash and weight-training facilities. For something a little more cultural, there are four art galleries and a library all located within walking distance of one another. Although pubs are not a nighttime option for children, Westport often holds daytime traditional Irish music sessions in many of its pubs, some of which are world renowned for their music and often televised globally.

Outdoor Activities – Adventure Capital of Ireland Westport is the Adventure Capital of Ireland with an array of land and water activities to choose from. There are activities to suit all age groups and all interests. Try out Ireland’s largest sea trampoline, zorbing, fishing, horse ridding, archery, cycling and so much more. All of this is ideally located in walking or short driving distance from the town centre. Festivities in Westport The town holds many festivals tailored to every age group. There is a local town festival requiring only a donation of your own choosing. There is also an annual ‘Arts Festival’ which is perfect for families with its clowns, stilt walkers, jugglers, buskers, face-painters, street artists, poets and a whole lot more on display on the streets free of charge. The latest festival addition to the town is the ‘Westport Food and Music Festival’ in June which along with a vast range of delicious food produced locally, also has three stages displaying the best of Irish and international acts for a two day event. Check out www.destinationwestport.com

Events

brought to you by Discoverireland.ie

May 30th – June 3rd Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event, Bloom in the Park, is back bigger, better and more botanical than ever this year at Dublin’s Pheonix Park in Dublin City.

June 1st – 2nd The Spiddal Currach & Hooker Regatta, sees Currachs and Galway Hookers racing along the shores of Spiddal, Co. Galway with family events on the beach. Cheer on teams from Kerry, Galway, Donegal, Clare and Limerick who will battle it out for first place.

Jun 16th Find your inner farmer and try your hand at some sheaf tossing at the National Hay Making Festival in Trim, Co. Meath. Just a stone’s throw from Dublin, this is a fun day for all the family with working horses, vintage tractors, a pets’ corner and a chance to see a hay cocking machine in action! June 21st – 23rd Lots of hot air is promised in Wicklow during the Balto Balloon Fest in Baltinglass, Co Wicklow. Magnificent colourful hot air balloons will take to the skies with the town’s landmark 13th century Cistercian Abbey and the River Slaney as a magnificent backdrop.

Events June 21st – 23rd The 31st Dunlavin Festival of Arts, Co. Wicklow is a stunning family event with arts, crafts, music, set dancing, street entertainment, and a pony and dog show.

July 5th – 7th Ennis Street Festival is a celebration of the many cultures and artistic ways that make Ennis, Co. Clare, a special place, with a colourful mix of music, dance, visual arts, puppets shows, arts exhibitions, workshops, acrobatics and more surprises!

July 12th – 14th Kenmare Food Festival is a three day event celebrating food in a ‘Carnival’ style atmosphere with cookery demonstrations, kids workshops, taste trails, carnival parade, retro carousel and helter skelter. There will also be pop-up restaurants, gardening workshops and an artisan food market. July 26th – August 4th Killarney Summerfest is one of Ireland’s premier festivals bursting with an eclectic range of activities for all ages and tastes. Enjoy an array of free family entertainment and outdoor music in Co. Kerry.

August 3rd & 4th A countryside experience to remember at the National Country Fair in Borris, Co. Carlow. Expect fishing, shooting, gundog and equestrian events as well as a food fair, arts, crafts and antiques. While you’re there have a go at some archery, clay pigeon shooting, flying birds of prey or racing ferrets!

Events July 28th – August 5th In Co. Laois, the Durrow Scarecrow Festival will attract over 120 colourful scarecrows from all corners of the country to compete in the All-Ireland Scarecrow Championships.

August 7th – 11th There’s something for everyone at the Discover Ireland Dublin Horse Show, with live music and entertainment, art, fashion, shopping, food and the best in national and international equestrian competitions. The popular Kids’ Zone, situated to the rear of the Grand Stand, will keep kids busy with pony rides, fun inflatables, face painting, Billy Bubbles, Johnny D’Juggler, pony rides and magicians! August 9th – 18th In August the city of Kilkenny will come to life with visual art, classical music, theatre and dance, jazz, world & traditional Irish music, literature, film, indie music, craft, children’s and street events for the Kilkenny Arts Festival.

August 9th -12th The famous Puck Fair in Killorglin, Co. Kerry, is celebrating its 400th birthday! See the crowning of a wild mountain goat and take to the streets for lots of fun.

August 11th – 18th The Ballinamore Family Festival offers 8 days and nights of free children’s events including fancy dress, mural painting, Wii competition, drawing competition, Handwriting Competition, football, treasure hunt, tiny tots disco & much more as well as live music for Mum & Dad. All taking place in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim. 11

Fun Things To Do This Summer If you’re looking for ideas for things to do with your kids this summer, we have put together a selection of the most interesting and unusual places to go round Ireland.

East Why not plan a picnic in Iveagh Gardens, Dublin 2, arguably the most beautiful park in the capital and not all that well known. Stunning grounds, beautiful waterfall, so much space to run around and it’s always peacefully quiet! (Luas stops nearby). Viking Splash Tours is Ireland’s only tour company that shows you the sights of Dublin on both land and water, without having to leave the vehicle! Children need to be over four to participate in the water part of the tour. Tours depart daily from St Stephen’s Green. Situated in the beautiful countryside of the Wicklow hills, spend the whole day wandering around Greenan Farm and Maze. With loads of attractions to check out, the day will be packed full of things to do and will keep the kids fully occupied. The large 1/2 acre hedge maze is 7 feet tall and is a tricky puzzle to solve while the solstice maze is a more gentle contemplative experience.

South East Hook Lighthouse, Fethard on Sea, Co Wexford is one of the oldest lighthouses in the world, has guided tours, spectacular views, viewing for dolphins and whales, cafe and art activities for both kids and adults. Located not far from Kilkenny City, Castlecomer Discovery Park has a range of exciting recreational, cultural and educational activities for visitors of all ages. Recently launched attractions include a Tree Top Adventure Walk, a ‘Leap of Faith’ experience and a Climbing Wall. Secret Valley Wildlife Park, Wexford , has fourteen acres of fun-filled adventures from bottle-feeding the hungry kid goats to riding Snowball the pony, with a variety of animals inside and out, they promise unforgettable, great value, family fun.

Fun Things To Do This Summer Midlands Belvedere House and Gardens, near Mullingar, Co Westmeath, which is set in a 160 acre estate has playgrounds, lakeside picnic areas, trails, a café and child friendly events throughout the year. From something unique, visit Lough Boora Parklands in Co Offaly. At Junction 7 on the M6 Dublin/Galway exit towards Moate/ Clonmacnoise. Follow signs for Kilcormac and Lough Boora. Parklands with sculptures, picnic benches and a bike hire facility. Guided tours are also available. Arigna Mining Experience Centre in Roscommon was developed to preserve the energy heritage of the Arigna Valley and to ensure that Arigna maintains its link with Energy themes: Past, Present & Future. This Energy Centre provides visitors with a unique insight into what coal mining life was like in the Arigna Valley, since its beginning in the 1700’s until closure in 1990.

South & South West Did you know you can take the Cable Car from Bullaghboy in West Cork to Dursey Island? As long as you and the kids have a good head for heights, that is, as it can be a wild ride over the waves! Photo Credit: Pól Ó Cong-

haile

Dingle Dolphin Tours, Dingle, Co Kerry Take a 1 hr boat tour to see Dingle’s most famous resident, Fungie the Dolphin.

West & Mid West Brigit’s Garden in West Galway has Celtic Gardens, kids discovery trail, nature trail and cafe. The Museum of Country Life, Castlebar, Co Mayo, brings to life the traditions of rural life in Ireland. Workshops, exhibitions and family programs for all ages. Free entry, and great for those rainy days. At Atlantic Airventure in Shannon you can “check in” for one of the exciting Flying Museum Experiences and visit Shannon Aviation Museum for a different Family day out. Learn a little of how aircraft fly and then be a virtual pilot using flight simulation. A great fun day out. The Jackie Clarke Collection in Ballina, Co. Mayo is home to some amazing items including an original 1916 Proclamation of Independence, the tricolor cockade taken from the hat of Wolfe Tone by his captors in 1798 as well as many incredible items for the last four centuries of Irish history. 13

Fun Things To Do This Summer North West Image to come Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co Roscommon is set in the grounds of an estate consisting of a lake with caravan and camping park, boating, Zipit forest adventures, Boda Borg challenge, Adventure Play Kingdom, Tree Canopy Walkway, cafe and lots more. Eagles Flying, Ballymote, Co Sligo has Ireland’s largest centre for birds of prey and owls. It also has a pet zoo and daily shows. Bundoran Waterworld, Co Donegal has wave pools, slides, splash features for toddlers and sauna and steam rooms for adults.

North East Did you know that Trim Castle in County Meath took more than 30 years to build, back in the 12th century? It’s a fascinating place to explore and it also served as the backdrop to the Oscar-winning film, Braveheart. The Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark is located in the rugged mountainous uplands and the gentle rolling lowlands of counties Fermanagh and Cavan. Taking in the world-famous Marble Arch Caves, the Geopark boasts some of the finest natural landscapes in Ireland and offers a window into the area’s 650 million year past.

10 Other Fun Places To Visit • Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin

• Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Clare

• Imaginosity, Dublin

• Fota Wildlife Park, Cork

• Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park, Westport

• Powerscourt House & Gardens, Wicklow

• Dunbrody Famine Ship, Wexford

• Galway Atlantaquaria, Salthill, Galway

• Tayto Park, Co. Meath

• Sea Life, Bray

Visit one of Coillte Outdoors 11 Forest Parks and enjoy some fun family activities with free downloads on our Get Up Get Out! page.