Ireland’s family activity finder

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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 Rathwire

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

13 strong matches for your family · plus 11 more nearby Includes live listings from 3 official sources
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Built for families
Recommended

Púca Festival: Socas Na Samhna - Accessibility Circus

Sun 1 Nov 2026 · Check official times Athboy · Meath 32 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.

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 32 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

Spirits of Meath

Fri 2 Oct 2026 – Sun 8 Nov 2026 · Check official times Meath 45 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

Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Mullingar · Westmeath 22 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesChildren can feed the animals at Mollie Moo's Pet Farm. There are also playgrounds, crazy golf, go karts, a sandpit, chess, and an interactive village called Mooville for families to enjoy.

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

Mellowes Adventure & Childcare

Open dates vary · Check official times Athboy · Meath 32 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 39 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.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Clonfert Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Clonfert · Kildare 41 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can visit a range of domestic and zoo animals, including alpacas, meerkats, and lemurs. There are three playgrounds, a bouncy castle, go karts, adventure golf, and an indoor soft play area.

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

Derrymore Springs

Open dates vary · Check official times Derrymore · Westmeath 11 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.

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

O’Meara’s Garden Pavilion

Open dates vary · Check official times Mullingar · Westmeath 26 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore plants and homewares, and children have a covered play area. There is a tearoom for snacks and treats. At Christmas, the centre becomes a winter wonderland.

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

Mullingar Bike Hire

Open dates vary · Check official times Mullingar · Westmeath 19 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesRent bikes, including kids' bikes, trailers, and child seats, to explore the Royal Canal Greenway and the Old Rail Trail Greenway. Helmets and maps are provided.

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

Belvedere House Gardens & Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Mullingar · Westmeath 23 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the historic house, wander through the Victorian Walled Garden, and discover follies like The Jealous Wall. There are four play areas for children, a fairy garden, and 10km of walking trails.

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

Andean Alpacas

Open dates vary · Check official times Westmeath 18 min drive Check price
Best for ages 10+ for treks, younger for meet and greet Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can go on a two-hour alpaca trek, with each person getting their own alpaca. For younger children, there is a meet and greet where they can feed and learn about alpacas, including babies, and take a shorter walk.

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

Donadea Forest Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare 45 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 & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Mountlucas Wind Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Offaly 39 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit a working wind farm with a sensory garden and a learning hub about renewable energy. You can walk or cycle around the farm, or take part in a free 5km run on Saturday mornings.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

St Brigid's Well & Shrine

Open dates vary · Check official times Westmeath 22 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can visit St Brigid's Well and Shrine, an ancient spring in Mullingar. There is a path of stones representing the Stations of the Cross that leads to a small stone beehive chapel.

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

The Old Bridge, Trim

Open dates vary · Check official times Trim · Meath 33 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
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Larchill Arcadian Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Meath 40 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.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Fore Abbey

Open dates vary · Check official times Fore · Westmeath 38 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the ruins of Fore Abbey, see St Fechin's Church, and look for one of the ancient wayside crosses. There is also a 3km looped walk, St Feichin's Way, which takes in a fairy village and woodlands.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Loughcrew Historic Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Oldcastle · Meath 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore historic gardens with sculptures, water features, and woodland walks. Look out for Alice in Wonderland characters and fairies. There are also remnants of a medieval mote and St Oliver Plunkett's family church.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Castletown House and Parklands

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare 43 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the historic Castletown House and its extensive parklands. There are walking and bike trails, a river walk, and picnic areas.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Castletown House and Parklands

Open dates vary · Check official times Celbridge · Kildare 43 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the historic parklands at Castletown House, with river walks, a temple, and the remains of a bathing house.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Durrow Abbey

Open dates vary · Check official times Offaly 38 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can visit Durrow Abbey, a Coillte forest recreation site in Ballydaly forest, open all year round. There is a car park on site.

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