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.

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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 Ballynacallagh

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

6 strong matches for your family · plus 18 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Dursey Boat Trips

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a 90-minute boat trip around Dursey Island and nearby rocks to see lighthouses, natural arches, and local wildlife like whales, dolphins, and seabirds. You can also do a trip around Bere Island.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Castletownbere Festival of the Sea

Fri 31 Jul 2026 – Sat 8 Aug 2026 · Check official times Castletown-Bearhaven · Cork About 25 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival celebrates Castletownbere's maritime history with live music, seafood, cultural displays, and water activities. There will be a world record attempt to pull a 1,000-tonne tug.

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

Sunfish Explorer - Motorised Kayaking Tours

Open dates vary · Check official times Kerry About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages, kids go free Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a guided motorised kayaking tour along Kenmare Bay to see the scenery and wildlife. You can choose a fishing or wildlife tour.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival 2026

Thu 12 Nov 2026 – Sun 15 Nov 2026 · Check official times Sneem · Kerry About 40 min drive €75
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival in Sneem has storytelling, lectures, and performances for all ages. Children have their own events, and adults can enjoy plays and a choir concert.

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

Wild Atlantic Wildlife

Open dates vary · Check official times Adrigole · Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesRent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat in Adrigole harbour to see a seal colony. No experience is needed. For more adventure, take a live-aboard sailing trip to explore the coast and its wildlife.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Skellig Experience Visitor Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Valentia Island · Kerry About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesThis visitor centre on Valentia Island teaches all about the Skellig Rocks. You can learn about the lighthouse, the monks, and the birds that live there. There are quizzes and Star Wars videos for children.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island Ferries

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

Why it matchesTake a ferry to Bere Island to explore its walking trails, military heritage sites, and enjoy views of the Slieve Miskish and Caha Mountains. Tickets are bought on board.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island (West End Pier)

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Bere Island, enjoying its scenery and historical sites like Martello towers and forts. It is good for walking and cycling, and the community is very welcoming.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Pontoon Pier

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk along Pontoon Pier and enjoy the sea air, or take a boat trip from here to Bere Island to explore its history.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Árthach Dána, Amergin Memorial Sculpture & Sundial

Open dates vary · Check official times Waterville · Kerry About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis large bronze sculpture in Waterville is a tribute to explorers and seafarers. It features a sundial and depicts a boat emerging from the sea.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Charlie Chaplin Statue

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

Why it matchesSee the bronze statue of Charlie Chaplin, a famous silent movie actor, in Waterville. He and his family used to holiday here. The statue looks out over Ballinskelligs Bay.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island (East End Pier)

Open dates vary · Check official times Bere Island · Cork About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake the ferry to Bere Island and explore. You can walk or cycle around the island, enjoying the views of the Beara Peninsula mountains.

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

Waterville Heritage Gallery

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

Why it matchesThis outdoor gallery has 150 information panels on Valentia Island Slate and over 300 photos about South Kerry's heritage, culture, and nature. There are picnic benches with views of Waterville and Ballinskelligs Bay.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Murphy's Ferry Service

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

Why it matchesTake a car and passenger ferry to Bere Island. It's a chance to see the island and the bay from the water.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Barley Cove

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

Why it matchesVisit Barley Cove, a sandy beach with dunes formed by a tsunami. You can get to the beach from the car park by crossing a floating pontoon over a river.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Derreen Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Kerry About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore over 60 acres of gardens with 12km of paths, spotting rare plants and wildlife like Sika deer and sea eagles. Enjoy views of the harbour and mountains, then have a picnic or cream tea.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gour

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

Why it matchesFamilies can park up and enjoy the views over the local countryside and Bantry Bay from this lookout spot on the Beara Peninsula.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Castletownbere Harbour

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

Why it matchesFamilies can watch the fishing boats in Castletownbere Harbour and walk along the palm-lined waterfront. The town is nearby for exploring.

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

Bere Island

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Bere Island, seeing ancient sites, Martello towers, and the Heritage Centre. You can walk, cycle, or take part in water activities like boat trips, fishing, and swimming.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Mizen Head

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

Why it matchesVisit the Mizen Head Signal Station, learn about its history, and look for wildlife like seals and whales from the bridge. Explore the keepers' quarters and engine room.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Dooneen Pier

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

Why it matchesFamilies can go fishing for mackerel from Dooneen Pier, or take a swim in the sheltered waters. It's a good spot for a picnic too.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Coomanaspic

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

Why it matchesCoomanaspic Pass offers lovely views of Portmagee village and dramatic cliffs. You can also see the Skellig Islands and Ballinskelligs village from here.

No official website listed
Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Kerry Cliffs

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk along the Kerry Cliffs, which are over 1,000 feet high, and see the Skellig Islands and Puffin Island. You can also explore old stone fort ruins and bogland.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Seefin Viewpoint

Open dates vary · Check official times Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a scenic viewpoint with picnic tables. You can start a walk up Mount Seefin or join the Sheep's Head Way walking route from here.

No official website listed

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01

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02

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03

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