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 Ballynameelagh

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

11 strong matches for your family · plus 8 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Lurgybrack Open Farm

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

Why it matchesAt Lurgybrack Open Farm, families can see and feed farm animals, cuddle rabbits, and enjoy a playground, sandpit, and barrel train. There's also a riverside walk.

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

Bernard McGlinchey Town Park

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

Why it matchesThis town park has a playground, a pump track for bikes and scooters, and walking trails. There are picnic spots and a sculpture trail to explore.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tropical World

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesSee hundreds of free-flying butterflies, exotic birds, lemurs, marmosets, owls, meerkats, sloths, and toucans. There is also an indoor play park, moving dinosaurs, and a bug and reptile room.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Oakfest 2026

Sat 5 Sept 2026 – Sun 6 Sept 2026 · Check official times Raphoe · Donegal About 30 min drive €52
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesOakfest is a music festival with a mix of tribute acts and original bands. There is also children's entertainment and food stalls.

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

Grassroutes

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

Why it matchesHire bikes, including electric bikes, children's bikes, and buggies, to explore Donegal. They deliver the bikes to you and provide mapped routes.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Donegal Railway Heritage Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Milltown · Donegal About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, see the Drumboe steam engine and other railway carriages, and try out Ireland's first full-size interactive railway cab.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival 2026

Sat 25 Jul 2026 – Mon 3 Aug 2026 · Check official times Dungloe · Donegal About 40 min drive Free
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival in Dungloe, Donegal, offers ten days of live music, arts, culture, and family entertainment. There are concerts, street celebrations, and cultural events.

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

Ballymacool Town Park

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

Why it matchesThis town park has a big play area and a multi-use games area for children. There are also picnic spots and nice walks where you can see plants and wildlife.

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

Oakfield Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the parklands, woodlands, and lakeside, spot wildlife, find sculptures, and try the hedge maze. There are train rides and a castle folly to see.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Ionad Cois Locha

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

Why it matchesFamilies can watch craft demonstrations, tour a cottage, take a boat trip with folklore, and children have plenty of activities like rope climbing, bumper cars, and a playground.

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

Ards Forest Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore woodland trails, coastal paths, and see wildlife. There are picnic spots and a playground near the beach. You can spend a full day here.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Fintown Railway

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

Why it matchesTake a five-kilometre return trip on a narrow gauge railway along the shores of Lough Finn, enjoying the highland scenery.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Glenveagh Castle Gardens

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

Why it matchesExplore the Victorian gardens at Glenveagh Castle, with a walled garden, pleasure gardens, and various themed areas like the Italian Terrace. See a wide range of trees, shrubs, and rhododendrons.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Donegal Bay Waterbus

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

Why it matchesTake a boat trip around Donegal Bay, see Seal Island and its seal colony, and enjoy views of the Bluestack Mountains. There's live music and a dance floor on the way back.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Sea View Garden

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a peaceful walk through this award-winning garden, taking in the varied plants, trees, and views over Donegal Bay. It is a good spot for a quiet outing.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Lower Cranny

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

Why it matchesExplore the romantic gardens of Lower Cranny, with a lake, tree-lined walks, a wildflower meadow, bluebell woods, and a fairy ring.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Glenveagh National Park and Castle

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

Why it matchesExplore a castle and its gardens, with lakes, mountains, and woods. Look out for red deer and golden eagles. Have lunch or coffee in the tearooms.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Mountcharles Pier

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk along the pier, enjoy a coffee from a local cafe, and take in the views of Donegal Bay, Bell's Isle, Summerhill, and Murvagh Beach.

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

Doe Castle View

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

Why it matchesThis is a scenic spot to take photos of Doe Castle and the bay. You can also look for local wildlife. The castle grounds are open daily, with tours of the inside during summer weekends.

No official website listed

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