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 The Hand Cross Roads

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

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

Burren Free Range Pork Farm

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

Why it matchesThis is a traditional farm where you can see free-range cattle, rare breed pigs, hens, ducks, donkeys, dogs, and a cat. You can visit the farm shop or arrange a meal.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lisdoonvarna Spa Wells Heritage Centre

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

Why it matchesVisit the heritage centre to learn about Lisdoonvarna's history as a Victorian spa town and sample the sulphur waters. There is a play area for children and a tea room for refreshments.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

The Farmyard

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

Why it matchesThis is an interactive farm where you can try milking a cow, churning butter, or making brown bread. There are farm walks and team challenges like wellie throwing and archery.

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

Vandeleur Walled Gardens

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

Why it matchesExplore the historic walled gardens, find your way through a maze, play giant chess, and see the Victorian glasshouse. There is also an audio-visual display about the area's history.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum

Open dates vary · Check official times Foynes · Limerick About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the museum, see World War II exhibits, and board a replica flying boat. There is a 3D show about Irish coffee, and a chance to taste it. You can also see maritime exhibits and river views.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Shannon Dolphin Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Clare About 35 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor activity Check opening details

Why it matchesVisit the Shannon Dolphin Centre to learn about the bottlenose dolphins in the Shannon Estuary. See real skeletons, hear dolphin sounds, watch a film, and explore marine specimens. Children can enjoy goggle boxes, colouring, and a giant jig

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Caherconnell Fort & Sheepdog Demonstrations

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

Why it matchesVisit a 1,000-year-old stone fort and learn about its history. Watch skilled sheepdogs and their master at work, and meet the dogs. There's a cafe for a break.

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

The Flying Alpaca

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

Why it matchesFamilies can walk an alpaca or learn about them and their wool. You can see how products are made from their fleece and yarns.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Atlantic Air Adventures

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the Aviation Museum, take a Family Aviation Discovery Tour, or try a flight simulator. There are also birthday parties and camps for teenagers.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore Bunratty Castle and wander through the Folk Park to see what life was like in an Irish village in the early 1900s, complete with characters and animals.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Moher Hill Open Farm

Open dates vary · Check official times Liscannor · Clare About 25 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can meet farm animals and exotic creatures, play on go-karts, mini golf, a bouncing castle, and indoor and outdoor play areas. There is also a fairy trail and a farm museum.

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

Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Geopark

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

Why it matchesExplore the Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark. You can go hiking, biking, surfing, kayaking, walking, or foraging. There are caves and nature reserves to see, and a food trail for local produce.

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

West Coast Aqua Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a water park with inflatable challenges, a Kiddy Splash Park for smaller children, and Swan Pedalos at Kilrush Marina. Wetsuits and buoyancy aids are included.

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

Burren Farm Experience

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore an authentic Irish beef farm in County Clare, learning about its history, archaeology, and biodiversity. You can take a farm walk, help feed calves, and enjoy a barbecue or picnic.

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

Curragh Chase Forest Park

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

Why it matchesFamilies can explore woodland trails, cycle, and look for birds around the lakes and the old house at Curragh Chase Forest Park.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Willie Clancy Statue

Open dates vary · Check official times Clare About 15 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesFamilies can see a life-size bronze statue of the famous uilleann piper Willie Clancy. In July, the area hosts a summer school with music and dance.

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

Vanderlust Campervans

Open dates vary · Check official times Ennistymon · Clare About 15 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesRent a campervan, motorhome or RV to explore Ireland at your own pace. You can pick up your vehicle at any Irish airport and use it for touring, sports or music events.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

The Burren & Cliffs of Moher Explorer

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

Why it matchesTake a hop-on, hop-off shuttle bus to see the Burren and Cliffs of Moher, stopping in towns like Doolin and Kilfenora. It saves you driving and parking.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Ballyallia Lake

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

Why it matchesFamilies can enjoy a peaceful walk around Ballyallia Lake, spot swans and ducks, and have a picnic. It is a tranquil spot for a gentle outing in nature.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Scattery Island Tours

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

Why it matchesTake a boat trip to Scattery Island and explore its monastic ruins, round tower, and lighthouse. There is a shorter walk and a colouring map for children, and plenty of opportunities for birdwatching.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Tarbert Port (Killimer to Tarbert Ferry)

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

Why it matchesFamilies can take a ferry across the Shannon Estuary from Tarbert to Killimer, County Clare. You can also walk along the coast and see the Tarbert Lighthouse.

Free eventWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Summer Activities for Kids – Scattery Island ⛵

Mon 1 Jun 2026 – Wed 23 Sept 2026 · Check official times Scattery Island Monastic Site and Visitor Centre · Clare About 40 min drive Free
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor No booking needed

Why it matchesExplore Scattery Island with OPW guides who will tell you about its history, from monks to Vikings. Look out for wildlife and enjoy the fresh air. Kids get activity sheets for the ferry trip.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Scattery Island Monastic Site and Visitor Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Clare About 40 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesTake a ferry to Scattery Island and explore a monastic site with a round tower, churches, and a lighthouse. OPW guides lead a walking tour, and you can spot wildlife.

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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