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.
When
Kind of day
Travel time
Budget
Family needs
Setting
Live listings

Things to do near Gortaway

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

13 strong matches for your family · plus 8 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Coillte
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tropical World

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 14 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.

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

Bernard McGlinchey Town Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 19 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 & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Lurgybrack Open Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 20 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.

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

Grassroutes

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 21 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.

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

Wild Ireland

Open dates vary · Check official times Burnfoot · Donegal 43 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore an ancient Celtic rainforest and see animals like bears, wolves, and lynx that once lived in Ireland. You will learn about their rescue stories and conservation.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Oakfest 2026

Sat 5 Sept 2026 – Sun 6 Sept 2026 · Check official times Raphoe · Donegal 31 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.

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

Mulroy Meadow Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Fanad · Donegal 39 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesMulroy Meadow Farm offers guided tours from spring to autumn. Families can meet farm animals, learn about regenerative farming, and explore the intertidal zone with rock pooling along Mulroy Bay.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Workhouse Famine & Heritage Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Dunfanaghy · Donegal 39 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can learn about the Famine and local history, watch old films, and let the children play in the playpark. There is a craft shop and a cafe on site.

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

Ballymacool Town Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 22 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 31 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 & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Gáinne Mór Alpacas

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 36 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can walk an alpaca for an hour, then learn how their fleece becomes yarn. There is also a shorter meet and greet where you can hand feed the alpacas and learn about them.

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

Ards Forest Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 41 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.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Ionad Cois Locha

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 43 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.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Ballykeeran

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 19 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a short walk through Ballykeeran forest on a waymarked trail. It is a good spot for a bit of fresh air and a stretch of the legs.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Dunmore Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the walled garden, with its plants, paths, and ponds. You can also look for the remains of an old fort in the woodlands.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Glenveagh Castle Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 41 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

Drumboe

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 34 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go for a walk in Drumboe forest. There are three trails to choose from, including a nature trail and a multi-access trail.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Doe Castle View

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 32 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
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Glenveagh National Park and Castle

Open dates vary · Check official times Letterkenny · Donegal 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.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Cionn Fhánada (Fanad Head)

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

Why it matchesFamilies can drive or walk along the coast road at Fanad Head, taking in the views of the Inishowen Peninsula and Ballymastocker Bay. You can also go sailing or windsurfing, or take a boat trip from Rathmullan.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Official Coillte listing

Drummonaghan

Open dates vary · Check official times Donegal 8 min drive Check price
Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Quick summary

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.