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 New Grove

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

9 strong matches for your family · plus 9 more nearby Live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Wild Food Mary

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

Why it matchesJoin Wild Food Mary to ramble through her garden or woodlands, finding edible plants, flowers, fruits and fungi. Learn about foraged food and help prepare a feast in her kitchen.

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

Fairy Fort Farm

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

Why it matchesFamilies can visit a traditional farm with animals, walk through fields and meadows, and explore an ancient fairy fort. There's also a bouncy castle and a picnic area.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Birr Castle Demesne & Historic Science Centre

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

Why it matchesExplore the castle grounds, see the historic telescope and science exhibits, and let the kids enjoy the adventure playground. There are over 5,000 plant species in the gardens.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival 2026

Fri 31 Jul 2026 – Fri 7 Aug 2026 · Check official times About 30 min drive Free
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis is a week-long festival with a varied programme of events. You can expect a mix of things to see and do for the whole family in Birr.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tearaways Pet Farm & Activity Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times About 30 min drive Check price
Best for ages up to 12 Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can meet farm animals, play on indoor slides and in ball pits, or enjoy outdoor activities like go-carts and a sledge run. There is a separate area for toddlers.

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

Dick's Bike Hire

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

Why it matchesHire bikes in Portumna and cycle to the Forest Park, Castle, Abbey, swimming park, or the Famine Workhouse. You get a helmet, hi-viz, and a map with routes.

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

Lough Derg Blueway East

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

Why it matchesExplore the eastern shore of Lough Derg by road or water, visiting harbours and villages. You can tour castles, take a waterbus cruise, go for forest walks, or enjoy a floating playground.

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

Portumna Castle and Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the ground floor of Portumna Castle, see the formal and walled kitchen gardens, and enjoy the views of Lough Derg. There is a playground and walking trails.

No official website listed
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Lough Derg Blueway North

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy cycling, kayaking, walking, and exploring heritage sites like a 17th-century castle and abbey. There are also nature walks and mountain bike trails.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Clonohill Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times About 25 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Clonohill Gardens, which are set at the foothills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains. There is a looped trail through woodland and a gravel pathway with various plants.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

O'Driscoll Garden Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times About 35 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesHave a wander around O'Driscoll Garden Centre in Thurles and see all sorts of plants, from trees and shrubs to herbs and climbing plants. You might find something unusual for your own garden.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Portumna Castle and Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a 17th-century castle and wander through formal gardens, including a willow maze and a restored kitchen garden with old-fashioned planting.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gardens at Castle Durrow

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the formal gardens, enjoy river, parkland, and forest walks, and go cycling around the historic Castle Durrow estate.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Carrickcraft - Offaly

Open dates vary · Check official times About 45 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can hire a Carrickcraft cruiser to explore Ireland's waterways. The boats have a shower, toilet, kitchen, and heating, and fit two to six people. Staff can suggest places to visit.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Golden Grove Forest

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

Why it matchesFamilies can go for a walk through the woods, enjoy a picnic, and look out for local wildlife. In spring, a large area of the woodland is covered in bluebells.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Slieve Bloom Scenic Glendine Route

Open dates vary · Check official times About 35 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a scenic driving route through the Slieve Bloom mountains with several viewing points. You can stop to take in the views of the hills and the landscape.

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

Cabragh Wetlands Centre

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk along the rivers and ponds, explore nature trails, or take the Cosmic Walk to learn about the universe. There are also free community events like Irish nights and workshops.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Lough Derg Blueway

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk, cycle, or kayak along the Lough Derg Blueway, enjoying the lake's natural beauty and wildlife. It's a place to slow down and observe nature.

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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