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.
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Things to do near Hortland

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

20 strong matches for your family · plus 4 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

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

Why it matchesExplore Irish history and nature on a 60-acre park with exhibitions, a biodiversity boardwalk, and guided tours. There is an indoor play centre, an outdoor play area with crazy golf, a pet farm, and a road train.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tricky Tricksters Magic Castle

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 25 min drive Check price
Best for ages 0-12 Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesChildren can enjoy adventure play in the magic castle with slides and climbing frames. There are also indoor boat rides and an 'inflazone' for sports like football and basketball.

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

Derrymore Springs

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

Why it matchesFamilies can try out different water activities on a man-made lake. You can also have a BBQ or picnic afterwards in the peaceful setting.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Spirits of Meath

Fri 2 Oct 2026 – Sun 8 Nov 2026 · Check official times Meath About 35 min drive €0
Suits all ages, with options for teens Indoor & outdoor Check booking availability

Why it matchesThis festival offers a range of Halloween-themed activities across Meath. Families can pick pumpkins, explore adventure centres, or try a daytime 'Tricky Trail'. Teenagers might prefer the 'After Dark' events or Farmaphobia.

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

Horse Country

Open dates vary · Check official times Tully · Kildare About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go on VIP tours of stud farms, trainer's yards, and racecourses. There are chances to pet horses, try hands-on activities, and see interactive exhibits.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Irish National Stud & Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Tully · Kildare About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a working thoroughbred breeding farm, see champion racehorses, and learn about their world at the interactive Irish Racehorse Experience. There are also two unique gardens to wander through.

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

The Irish National Stud & Gardens Experience by Horse Country

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

Why it matchesFamilies can take a guided tour of the stud farm to see mares, foals, and stallions. You can also meet retired racehorses. There are also the Japanese Gardens and Saint Fiachra's Garden to explore.

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

Emerald Park

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

Why it matchesEmerald Park has thrill rides, a junior area, playgrounds, shows, and a zoo with over 250 animals including big cats and birds of prey. Families can ride roller coasters or explore Dino Dash.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Púca Festival: Sorcas na Samhna

Thu 29 Oct 2026 – Sun 1 Nov 2026 · Check official times Fair Green · Meath About 35 min drive €20
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesSee a Halloween-themed circus show with live Irish music and performers. It is part of a bigger festival celebrating Halloween.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Púca Festival: Socas Na Samhna - Accessibility Circus

Sun 1 Nov 2026 · Check official times Athboy · Meath About 35 min drive €5
Suits all ages Check venue details Booking available

Why it matchesThis is a relaxed circus performance at the Púca Festival, designed for people who need a more supportive environment. Sound and light levels are adjusted for comfort.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm & Shop

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can meet and feed animals, build a teddy bear, play crazy golf, or take a railroad adventure. There are also seasonal events and an organic farm tour in summer.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Navan Comic Con 2026

Sun 1 Nov 2026 · Check official times Navan · Meath About 40 min drive €15
Suits all ages Indoor activity Booking available

Why it matchesThis is a family-friendly event where you can see guests from movies and comics, and find Pokemon cards and other collectibles.

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

Phoenix Park – People’s Flower Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore these Victorian flower gardens, see the ornamental lake with birds, have a picnic, and let the children play in the playground.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Mellowes Adventure & Childcare

Open dates vary · Check official times Athboy · Meath About 45 min drive Check price
Best for ages up to 10 years Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is an activity centre for children with lots of things to do. You can relax in the picnic area while the kids have fun in a safe, supervised environment.

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

Causey Farm

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

Why it matchesFamilies can see sheepdogs working, pet Connemara ponies, and learn to bake traditional soda bread. There are also traditional music workshops.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Rathfarnham Castle

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore an Elizabethan castle, see impressive art, and enjoy the grounds. There's a playground for children and changing exhibitions to keep things fresh.

No official website listed
Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Summer in Dublin 2026

Sat 18 Jul 2026 – Sun 9 Aug 2026 · Check official times Parliament Street · Dublin About 45 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesDublin's streets become a playground with street performances, interactive shows, themed activities, and creative workshops. Each weekend offers a new adventure.

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

Donadea Forest Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the remains of Donadea Castle and its walled gardens, see the church and tower, and spot ducks on the lake. There are woodland walks and a nature trail to enjoy.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Bog of Allen Nature Centre

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the wild boglands, see a 1960s Irish cottage, and learn about Irish bogs through exhibitions. Outdoors, there are wildlife gardens and insect-eating plants.

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

Wild Food Ways

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

Why it matchesGo on a guided walk around farmland to learn about wild plants and trees, including how to identify and use them. Enjoy refreshments and a three-course lunch made with foraged and local ingredients.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Coolcarrigan House

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 10 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore over eight acres of gardens and an arboretum, seeing a wide range of trees, shrubs, and seasonal flowers. There is also a small private church surrounded by a moat.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Larchill Arcadian Gardens

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

Why it matchesExplore an 18th-century ornamental farm with follies, lakes, and tree-lined avenues. Discover decorative buildings and farm animals in a landscaped parkland.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Lodge Park Walled Garden

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

Why it matchesExplore the walled garden with its different areas like a rose garden, white garden, and a working vegetable patch. You can see exotic plants in the greenhouse and have a picnic on the lawns.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

The Old Bridge, Trim

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

Why it matchesFamilies can pause on The Old Bridge in Trim, County Meath, to see one of Ireland's oldest complete and unaltered working bridges crossing the River Boyne.

No official website listed

A confident family plan in three simple steps.

01

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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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