Ireland’s family activity finder

Tell us the basics. We’ll match activities to your family, your journey, your budget, and the weather on the day.

Age-matched Drive-time aware Weather-smart
Illustrated Irish landscape: a stone castle among wooded hills, a winding country lane climbing to a map marker on the summit, and shamrocks in the foreground.
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Things to do near Ballymaconey

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

12 strong matches for your family · plus 12 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Rathvilly Garden Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathvilly · Carlow About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the garden centre, see the vegetable exhibition, and let children play in the dedicated play area. There are picnic spots and a cafe for refreshments.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tinahely Farm Shop, Restaurant, Activity Centre & Animal Walkway

Open dates vary · Check official times Tinahely · Wicklow About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesChildren can play in the Activity Barn with ping pong, fuze ball, and an indoor beach. They can also pet and feed donkeys, ponies, pigs, and goats. There is a pedal go-kart track. Families can eat in the restaurant.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Greenan Maze

Open dates vary · Check official times Wicklow About 20 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore two mazes, see farm animals, and follow nature walks and fairy trails. There are also three farm museums and a treasure hunt in summer.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Cullen's Sheep Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Glendalough · Wicklow About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit a working sheep farm in Wicklow. Watch sheepdogs, hold a lamb, and see how people lived and worked in the old farm museum. Learn about local heritage at the mass rock.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Tipi Adventures Ireland

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathdrum · Wicklow About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go camping in a tipi in a woodland setting by the Avonmore River. You can learn outdoor skills, go hiking, or just spend time in nature. They also run themed events.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tick-Tock Activity Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Arklow · Wicklow About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesChildren can hold and feed farm animals like rabbits, sheep, and donkeys. There are indoor and outdoor play areas, mini tractors, and an activity bus for painting and other creative fun.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Wexford Lavender Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Inch · Wexford About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore five acres of lavender fields, take a ride on Billy the Bull quad barrel train, get lost in a maze, and play in the children's playground and woodland walks.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Gorey Market House Festival 2026

Fri 31 Jul 2026 – Sun 2 Aug 2026 · Check official times Gorey · Wexford About 40 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesThis festival offers three days of free music, family fun, and community events. You can enjoy live music, a family fun day in the park, a superhero run, a busking competition, and a street market with food and artisan stalls.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Kidzone

Open dates vary · Check official times Gorey · Wexford About 40 min drive Check price
Best for ages 2-10 Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesKidzone in Gorey is an indoor play area with a three-tier climbing frame, triple slide, ball pool, and a football arena. It also has a spooky room and is good for birthday parties.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Kia Ora Mini Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Gorey · Wexford About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can feed and hold animals, ride a fire engine, explore a maze, and play on go-karts and diggers. There are also seasonal events at Halloween, Christmas, and Easter.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Beyond the Trees Avondale

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathdrum · Wicklow About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesWalk high up through the trees on a wooden path, learning about the forest as you go. Climb a tall tower for views of the Wicklow Mountains, then slide down if you're brave enough.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Tearmann Community Garden

Open dates vary · Check official times Wicklow About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a peaceful walk through this community garden, exploring the rockery, pond, orchard, and wildlife areas. There are plenty of benches for a rest and a sensory garden to engage the senses.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

The Garden at Hardymount House

Open dates vary · Check official times Tullow · Carlow About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a large garden with lawns, shrubs, and a walled garden with many plants and flowers. There are grass paths, a pond with lilies and fish, and a vegetable garden.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds

Open dates vary · Check official times Carlow About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore the historic walled gardens and pleasure grounds at Duckett's Grove. See old varieties of roses, peonies, and fruit trees, and walk along restored paths and over a sunken stone bridge.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Tullow · Carlow About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can stroll through these lovely gardens, spotting different plants and trees. There is a lake and a river walk to enjoy, with both native and exotic species to see.

Free eventWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens Trad Music event

Wed 12 Aug 2026 · Check official times Altamont Gardens · Carlow About 30 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy an afternoon of traditional Irish music in the Walled Garden at Altamont Gardens. Remember to bring your own seat for the event.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Carlow About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore 16 hectares of gardens, from sculpted lawns and a lake to an arboretum and an Ice Age Glen. There are rare trees, rhododendrons, and roses in summer.

No official website listed
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Burtown House Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Athy · Kildare About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can wander through the flower gardens, explore the secret gardens, and take walks through the parklands and woodlands at Burtown House. There is a cafe for refreshments.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

National Botanic Gardens - Kilmacurragh

Open dates vary · Check official times Wicklow About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the historic plant collections and new planting schemes at Kilmacurragh. There are pathways to walk, wildflowers to see, and plenty of space to enjoy a picnic or visit the cafe.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Craanford Mills

Open dates vary · Check official times Wexford About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Craanford Mills to see how water powered the milling process. It has original machinery and tells stories of rural life and local history in a peaceful setting.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Delta Sensory Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Carlow About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can wander through a hectare of sensory gardens, enjoying the plants, water features, and the floating marble kugal. There is a garden centre and a cafe on site.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Mount Usher Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Ashford · Wicklow About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can wander along winding paths, see a wide variety of plants and trees, and enjoy the natural beauty of the gardens. There is also a cafe and food market on site.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Kilmurry Nursery and Garden

Open dates vary · Check official times Gorey · Wexford About 40 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the award-winning Kilmurry Nursery and Garden, which specialises in herbaceous perennials, grasses, and ferns. It is a good spot to see different plant varieties.

A confident family plan in three simple steps.

01

Tell us about today

Your starting point, children’s ages and practical limits.

02

We check the conditions

Opening times, weather, travel time, cost and suitability.

03

Choose with confidence

Compare clear recommendations and understand every match.

Irish weather changed the plan?

We’ll already have a dry option ready.