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 Gorteen

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

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

Sathya Sai Donkey Sanctuary CLG

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

Why it matchesVisit the donkey sanctuary to meet rescued donkeys, many of them old or unwell. You can give them a pet and bring them some carrots or ginger biscuits.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Sligo Folk Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Riverstown · Sligo About 20 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a recreated 19th-century village street, see old farm equipment, and visit a schoolhouse and Millview House to experience rural Irish heritage.

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

Locaboat Ireland

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

Why it matchesFamilies can hire a pénichette boat to cruise the waterways. No licence or experience is needed, and staff will show you how to pilot the boat. You can explore at your own pace.

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

Electric Bike Trails

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

Why it matchesFamilies can hire regular bikes, or electric bikes for over 16s, to cycle traffic-free along the Shannon Blueway. There are child carts and seats for younger children.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Tulsk · Roscommon About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre to learn about ancient Connacht, its monuments, and mythology. There are interactive exhibits and audio-visual presentations to bring the past and legends to life.

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

Adventure Gently

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

Why it matchesFamilies can go Canadian canoeing with an instructor, learning strokes and exploring local waterways. Look out for kingfishers and ancient ruins along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Graune Pet Farm & Play Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Mayo About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis pet farm has plenty to keep children busy all day, with indoor and outdoor play areas, bouncy castles, an indoor sand pit, paddle boats, pony rides and farm animals.

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

Wild Wet Adventures

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

Why it matchesFamilies can try out kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding on the water, or take a guided walk in the Ox Mountains. They cater for all ages and abilities.

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

Dooney Rock Forest

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk a 1km forest trail, spot red squirrels and a fairy village, and climb Dooney Rock for views of Lough Gill. It is a good spot for children to explore.

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

Hazelwood Forest

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk or cycle the multi-access trails through Hazelwood Forest, looking out for wooden sculptures and wildlife. There are information panels about the trees and views of Lough Gill.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Sligo Regional Sports Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Sligo Town · Sligo About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesThis sports centre has a 25-metre indoor heated pool and a kids' pool, along with a jacuzzi, sauna, and steam room. There's also a fitness suite and a large sports hall.

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

Doorly Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy walks, cycling, and picnics in this riverside park. There are nature trails to explore the plant life, wildlife, and mountain views.

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

Lough Key Boat Tours & Boat Hire

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

Why it matchesTake a relaxing one-hour boat trip on Lough Key, hearing local stories and folklore. Speedboat tours get you closer to Castle Island and Trinity Abbey.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

O'Carolan Harp Festival & Summer School

Mon 27 Jul 2026 – Mon 3 Aug 2026 · Check official times Keadue · Roscommon About 35 min drive €0
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival celebrates traditional Irish music, song, and dance. Families can enjoy concerts, ceilidhes, harp recitals, and street entertainment. There are also workshops for learning music and a historical walk.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Sliabh An Iarainn Visitor Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Leitrim About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesThis visitor centre has audio-visual displays about the local mountains, railway, canal, lakes, and mining history. You can also access the Acres Lake Boardwalk from here for a walk or cycle.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Queen Maeve Square

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

Why it matchesThis is a town square in Sligo with outdoor seating and places to eat nearby. You can take a photo with the Sligo sign.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Sligo County Library

Open dates vary · Check official times Sligo About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can borrow books, audiobooks, and DVDs, use computers, or attend events. There are special services for children with reading difficulties and sensory needs.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

O'Carolan Heritage Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk around O'Carolan Heritage Park, see the harp monument and fountains, and explore the walking trails with the Arigna Mountains as a backdrop. There is also a reconstructed sweat house.

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.

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