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 Newtown Bridge

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

14 strong matches for your family · plus 10 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Rathvilly Garden Centre

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the garden centre, see the vegetable exhibition, and let children play in the dedicated play area. There are picnic spots and a cafe for refreshments.

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

Arboretum Inspirational Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the Inspirational Gardens, find an African mud hut, and spot koi in the pond. There is also a children's playground and a box maze.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm & Shop

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 35 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.

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 & 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

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

Tinahely Farm Shop, Restaurant, Activity Centre & Animal Walkway

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

Why it matchesChildren can play in the Activity Barn with ping pong, fuze ball, and an indoor beach. They can also pet and feed donkeys, ponies, pigs, and goats. There is a pedal go-kart track. Families can eat in the restaurant.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Solas Eco Garden Centre

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore plants and flowers, shop for local produce, and enjoy food from the village. There are workshops for children, and a farmers market every Saturday.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The National Reptile Zoo

Open dates vary · Check official times Kilkenny About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesSee over 50 species of reptiles and amphibians, including alligators, pythons, and tarantulas. There are hourly animal encounters and an indoor playground for children.

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

Jurassic Newpark

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a dinosaur theme park with life-size moving dinosaurs, an adventure playground, and a fairy village. There is also a mini wildlife farm, go-karts, a fossil dig, and a dinosaur show.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Playstation

Open dates vary · Check official times Kilkenny About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesThis indoor play centre in Kilkenny has soft play for small children and a larger play frame for bigger kids. There is also a hurling tunnel to test your puck speed.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Kilkenny Animated

Fri 11 Sept 2026 – Sun 13 Sept 2026 · Check official times Kilkenny About 45 min drive €17
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis festival in Kilkenny celebrates animation and illustration with screenings, talks, workshops, and live drawing. Families can watch, listen, draw, and explore the world of drawn images.

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

Castlecomer Discovery Park and Visitor Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Castlecomer · Kilkenny About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesExplore woodland walks with sculptures and a coal mining exhibition. Older children can try the Skywalk Challenge with aerial games and ziplines, or go boating. There are craftspeople in the stables.

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

Wild Food Ways

Open dates vary · Check official times Coole · Kildare About 40 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.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Delta Sensory Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can wander through a hectare of sensory gardens, enjoying the plants, water features, and the floating marble kugal. There is a garden centre and a cafe on site.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds

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

Why it matchesExplore the historic walled gardens and pleasure grounds at Duckett's Grove. See old varieties of roses, peonies, and fruit trees, and walk along restored paths and over a sunken stone bridge.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Athy Boat Tours by BoatTrips.ie

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

Why it matchesTake a peaceful boat trip along the River Barrow from Athy. Your skipper will share local insights as you enjoy the scenery and wildlife from the water.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Burtown House Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Athy · Kildare About 15 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can wander through the flower gardens, explore the secret gardens, and take walks through the parklands and woodlands at Burtown House. There is a cafe for refreshments.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

The Garden at Hardymount House

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore a large garden with lawns, shrubs, and a walled garden with many plants and flowers. There are grass paths, a pond with lilies and fish, and a vegetable garden.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Tearmann Community Garden

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a peaceful walk through this community garden, exploring the rockery, pond, orchard, and wildlife areas. There are plenty of benches for a rest and a sensory garden to engage the senses.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Leighlinbridge - Garden Village

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

Why it matchesFamilies can wander through the Millennium Garden, a collection of seven themed gardens built by the local community. Each garden tells a story using local plants and stones.

Free eventWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens Trad Music event

Wed 12 Aug 2026 · Check official times Altamont Gardens · Carlow About 30 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy an afternoon of traditional Irish music in the Walled Garden at Altamont Gardens. Remember to bring your own seat for the event.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens

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

Why it matchesExplore 16 hectares of gardens, from sculpted lawns and a lake to an arboretum and an Ice Age Glen. There are rare trees, rhododendrons, and roses in summer.

No official website listed
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Altamont Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can stroll through these lovely gardens, spotting different plants and trees. There is a lake and a river walk to enjoy, with both native and exotic species to see.

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.