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 Ponsonby Bridge

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

17 strong matches for your family · plus 7 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Tricky Tricksters Magic Castle

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 15 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.

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

Rathfarnham Castle

Open dates vary · Check official times Dublin About 25 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
Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Phoenix Park – People’s Flower Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Dublin About 30 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
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 30 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.

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

St Stephen’s Green

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a stroll through this historic Victorian park, spot waterfowl on the lake, find sculptures, or let the kids play in the playground.

No official website listed
Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 30 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.

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.

EventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Newtown Hill Sheepdog Demonstration

Sat 1 Aug 2026 · Check official times Johnnie Fox's Pub · Dublin About 35 min drive €15
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesWatch a live sheepdog demonstration in a field next to Johnnie Fox's Pub. You'll see border collies working with a farmer to herd Wicklow Cheviot sheep, showing their skill and intelligence.

Activity & attractionWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Leopardstown Racecourse

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy horse racing with views of the Wicklow Mountains, Killiney Hill, and the Irish Sea. There are indoor and outdoor facilities for children.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Dublin Maker Festival 2026

Sat 22 Aug 2026 – Sun 23 Aug 2026 · Check official times Foxrock · Dublin About 35 min drive Free
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesThis free festival at Leopardstown Racecourse offers a family-friendly celebration of creativity and invention. There are over 70 maker stands, 15 large outdoor exhibits, and interactive workshops.

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.

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

Emerald Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Ashbourne · Meath About 40 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.

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

Festina Lente Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore these restored Victorian walled gardens, including a kitchen garden and an ornamental garden. There is also a sensory therapeutic trail. They run nature-based workshops for children.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Bog of Allen Nature Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathangan · Kildare About 30 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 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.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Lodge Park Walled Garden

Open dates vary · Check official times Straffan · Kildare About 5 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

Coolcarrigan House

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 20 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 25 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 & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Curragh Racecourse

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a day out at the historic Curragh Racecourse, watching horse racing from March to October. Children under 18 get in free.

EventWeather-proof option
Children welcome

The Moving Crib Museum

Wed 3 Jun 2026 – Mon 31 Aug 2026 · Check official times Dublin About 30 min drive €0
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check booking availability

Why it matchesSee antique moving figures, vintage treasures and curious artefacts. Meet Fred the Hero Dog and see an 1800s dolls' house.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Dublin by Dusk

Thu 28 May 2026 – Thu 26 Nov 2026 · Check official times Various Locations, Dublin City · Dublin About 30 min drive Free
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesDublin by Dusk is a monthly event on the last Thursday of each month. Various city centre businesses and cultural spots stay open late with special offers, pop-up events, and family-friendly activities.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gordon Bennett Driving Route

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

Why it matchesThis driving route takes you through Kildare, Carlow, and Laois, following the path of a historic car race. You can stop at various attractions and enjoy the scenery along the way.

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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