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 Sherkin Island

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

8 strong matches for your family · plus 16 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland
Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Baltimore Diving and Whale Watching Centre

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

Why it matchesGo whale watching on a sailboat and listen to marine wildlife without engine noise. Learn about the local marine heritage from experienced guides along the West Cork coastline.

Free eventCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Schull Regatta Festival 2026

Sat 8 Aug 2026 – Sun 9 Aug 2026 · Check official times Schull · Cork About 15 min drive Free
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesThis festival in Schull offers a weekend of family fun with crab fishing, a treasure hunt, an art competition, tug o' war, and a raft race. There will be live music and other activities across the village.

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

Cork Whale Watch

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

Why it matchesGo out on the water from Reen Pier near Union Hall to spot whales, dolphins, seals, and seabirds with an experienced skipper. There is an enclosed cabin and outside seating.

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

Bantry Bay Boat Hire

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

Why it matchesHire a boat, kayak or stand-up paddleboard to explore Bantry Bay. You might spot dolphins and seals. Guided tours and lessons are also available.

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

The Lagoon Activity Centre

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

Why it matchesFamilies can rent pedal boats, kayaks, or stand-up paddleboards, or enjoy the waterpark in the lagoon. The water is shallow, making it suitable for all ages.

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

Wild Atlantic Wildlife

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

Why it matchesRent a kayak, canoe, or rowboat in Adrigole harbour to see a seal colony. No experience is needed. For more adventure, take a live-aboard sailing trip to explore the coast and its wildlife.

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

Inishbeg

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a peaceful day out on Inishbeg island with walks, horse-drawn carriage rides, and watersports. You might also spot whales or birds.

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

Shehy Highland Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Dunmanway · Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a working sheep farm in the Shehy Mountains with three marked hiking trails through woodland and open hills. There are picnic areas and traces of ancient settlements to discover.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Baltimore Harbour

Open dates vary · Check official times Baltimore · Cork About 5 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit Baltimore Harbour to see the beacon and the Atlantic Ocean. You can also watch divers exploring shipwrecks.

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

Inish Beg Gardens

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore 40 hectares of woodlands, gardens, and fields with ponds and bird hides. You might spot sheep and ponies grazing by the Ilen Estuary.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Heron Gallery Café and Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Ahakista · Cork About 25 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is an art gallery, cafe and gardens. You can see Annabel Langrish's art, walk around the gardens, and have a coffee, scone or lunch.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Whiddy Island

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

Why it matchesTake a short ferry to Whiddy Island and explore its unique nature and wildlife. Look for fuchsia and insect-eating plants, or visit the Napoleonic fort. You can also relax by the lakes and watch for birds.

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

Barley Cove

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

Why it matchesVisit Barley Cove, a sandy beach with dunes formed by a tsunami. You can get to the beach from the car park by crossing a floating pontoon over a river.

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

Illnacullin - Garinish Island

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

Why it matchesTake a short boat trip to Garinish Island and explore the gardens. You will see plants from all over the world, with different flowers blooming depending on the time of year.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Glengarriff Harbour

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

Why it matchesFamilies can watch boats in the harbour, admire the buildings, or walk through the ancient oak forests along the coastline.

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

Blue Pool Ferry

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

Why it matchesTake a short ferry trip from Blue Pool to Garnish Island and explore the tropical gardens there. The ferry leaves every 30 minutes.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Bere Island (East End Pier)

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

Why it matchesTake the ferry to Bere Island and explore. You can walk or cycle around the island, enjoying the views of the Beara Peninsula mountains.

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

Murphy's Ferry Service

Open dates vary · Check official times Bere Island · Cork About 45 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesTake a car and passenger ferry to Bere Island. It's a chance to see the island and the bay from the water.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Sam Maguire Visitor Experience

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

Why it matchesFamilies can take a guided tour of St. Mary's Church of Ireland, see Sam Maguire's grave, and ring the Sam Maguire Community Bells. There is an interactive video about his life and an activity sheet for primary school children.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Sherkin Island

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Dunalong Castle and a 15th-century abbey ruin, see the lighthouse at Barrack Point, and enjoy walks through the island's natural landscape. There are three sandy beaches for swimming, with a chance to spot seals, dolphi

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Heir Island

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk or cycle around Heir Island, spot birds in the marshland, and enjoy the sandy beaches and sheltered bays for swimming or watersports. There are panoramic views of other islands and Mount Gabriel.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Inish Beg Island

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the gardens and woodlands at Inish Beg Estate, go for walks along the shoreline, or try activities like sea kayaking and bird watching. Horse-drawn carriage rides are also an option.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Lough Hyne

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

Why it matchesFamilies can drive to Lough Hyne to see the views, have a picnic, or take a walk on the trail to see the lough from above and explore some old ruins and holy wells.

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

Oileán Cléire (Cape Clear Island)

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Cape Clear Island, looking for wildflowers, birds, whales and dolphins. There are megalithic standing stones, a passage grave, and ruins of a 12th century church and 14th century castle to discover.

No official website listed

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01

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02

We check the conditions

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03

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Compare clear recommendations and understand every match.

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