Family things to do near Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

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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 Ballyvaughan

All ages · up to 30 min · any budget

10 best matches · 242 more ideas nearby Listings sourced from Fáilte Ireland and other official event and venue sources

Best matches

The strongest family-fit ideas from this search, kept short enough to compare.

Why these come first

We first check the practical fit: children’s ages, date, journey, budget, weather and family suitability. Among ideas that already fit, recent opens, saves and useful next steps help the most appealing choices move up. A popular idea never overrides a poor fit.

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

Bishop’s Quarter Beach

Ballyvaughan · Clare 4 min drive Check price
Suitable for families; no specific age range is stated Mostly outdoor Just turn up

Why it matchesThe beach is located a few miles past Ballyvaughan village on the R447 road from Ballyvaughan to Fanore and is accessed by a narrow byroad.

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

Bay SUP

Open dates vary · Check official times Ballyvaughan · Clare 1 min drive Check price
Suitable for families; no specific age range is stated Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesStand up paddle boarding is a traditional Hawaiian sport and is currently the world’s fastest growing water sport.

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

Burren Outdoor Education Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Turlough · Clare 12 min drive Check price
Best from age 12+ Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThe Burren Outdoor Education Centre, based at Bell Harbour, County Clare, offers a wide range of adventure and outdoor activities which include caving, canoeing, sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, body boarding, raft.

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

Fanore Beach

Open dates vary · Check official times Clare 15 min drive Check price
No specific child age guidance is stated Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesNeighbouring the seaside village of Fanore in County Clare, Fanore Beach is a stunning sandy beach that introduces the Caher River to the Atlantic.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells Heritage Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Lisdoonvarna · Clare 18 min drive Check price
Suits all ages 1-2 hours Indoor & outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesExplore local history, sample sulphur mineral waters, relax by the river and enjoy the children's play area and tea room.

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

Aloha Surf School

Open dates vary · Check official times Fanore · Clare 15 min drive Check price
Suitable for families; no specific age range is stated Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesSurfing with Aloha Surf School in Fanore, County Clare allows surfers to escape the masses and enjoy a surfing adventure.

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

Cliffs Of Moher

Open dates vary · Check official times Kinvara · Galway 21 min drive Check price
Suits all ages 2-3 hours Mostly outdoor Booking required

Why it matchesExplore Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher on the west Clare coast, featuring panoramic coastal views and a visitor experience.

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

Burren Free Range Pork Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Kilfenora · Clare 22 min drive Check price
Suits all ages 1-2 hours Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit a traditional small holding to see rare breed pigs, cattle, hens, ducks, and donkeys.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Rappin in the Burren

Sat 19 Sept 2026 · Check official times Burren Castle Hotel · Clare 12 min drive Check price
Best from age 5+ Check venue details Booking available

Why it matchesRappin in the Burren is a creative community workshop for children and young people aged 7–16 years, providing an opportunity to learn how to write, perform, and record their own rap music, culminating in the production.

More ideas nearby

These still match the search, but the options above have the clearest family fit.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival 2026

Tue 1 Sept 2026 – Wed 30 Sept 2026 · Check official times Lisdoonvarna · Clare 16 min drive Free
No specific child age guidance is stated Check venue details Check event details

Why it matchesThe festival is over 165 years old and couldn't be more different from online dating services.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Ballyvaughan Farmers Market

Open dates vary · Check official times Ballyvaughan · Clare 1 min drive Check price
No specific child age guidance is stated Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesBallyvaughan Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 10am-2pm during the months of May-October in the Village Hall car park in Ballyvaughan, County Clare.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Cliffs of Moher Clare

Open dates vary · Check official times Ennis · Clare 7 min drive Check price
Suits all ages 2-3 hours Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore Ireland's famous coastal cliffs with paved cliff-edge walking trails and an interactive visitor centre.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Cliffs Of Moher, Doolin, Ireland

Open dates vary · Check official times Ennis · Clare 24 min drive Check price
Suits all ages 2-3 hours Mostly outdoor Booking required

Why it matchesExplore Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher with coastal walks, viewing platforms, and a visitor centre.

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

Kinvara Farmers Market

Open dates vary · Check official times Kinvara · Galway 21 min drive Check price
Suitable for families; no specific age range is stated Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesKinvara Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 10am-2pm on the Main Street in the heart of Kinvara village, County Galway.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb

Open dates vary · Check official times Clare 9 min drive Check price
No specific child age guidance is stated Check venue details Check opening details

Why it matchesThere are numerous prehistoric structures in the Burren and the Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb is just one impressive example.

Showing 6 of 242 more ideas

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