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 Brownstown Cross Roads

All ages · up to 60 min · any budget

11 strong matches for your family · plus 13 more nearby Includes live listings from Fáilte Ireland and Heritage Ireland
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 5 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 5 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 5 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

Kildare Farm Foods Open Farm & Shop

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 10 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.

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.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 20 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 & natureWeather-proof option
Built for families
Recommended

Solas Eco Garden Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Portarlington · Laois About 30 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 & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Built for families
Recommended

Rathvilly Garden Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathvilly · Carlow About 35 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

Wild Food Ways

Open dates vary · Check official times Coole · Kildare About 20 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
Built for families
Recommended

Bog of Allen Nature Centre

Open dates vary · Check official times Rathangan · Kildare About 20 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

Donadea Forest Park

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 30 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

Curragh Racecourse

Open dates vary · Check official times Newbridge · Kildare About 5 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.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Gordon Bennett Driving Route

Open dates vary · Check official times Kildare About 5 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.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Kildangan Stud - Foal to Fame Tour

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

Why it matchesTake a guided walk around Kildangan Stud to see thoroughbred stallions, foals, and a private museum. Learn about the stud's history and Godolphin's global success.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Burtown House Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Athy · Kildare About 20 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

Athy Boat Tours by BoatTrips.ie

Open dates vary · Check official times Athy · Kildare About 25 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.

Culture & heritageCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Coolcarrigan House

Open dates vary · Check official times Naas · Kildare About 25 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

Tearmann Community Garden

Open dates vary · Check official times Wicklow About 30 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.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Emo Court and Estate

Open dates vary · Check official times Laois About 30 min drive Check price
Suits all ages Indoor & outdoor Booking available

Why it matchesFamilies can explore the grounds, lake, and woodland at Emo Court, or take a guided tour of the house to see the period rooms and learn about the servants' lives. There are tearooms for a break.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Woofland Dog Park Portlaoise

Open dates vary · Check official times Portlaoise · Laois About 30 min drive Check price
Ages not specified Mostly outdoor Check opening details

Why it matchesThis is a private hire dog park where families can bring their dog to run around off-leash in a secure, fenced area. There's agility equipment and sheltered seating.

Animals & natureWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Lodge Park Walled Garden

Open dates vary · Check official times Straffan · Kildare About 35 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.

Animals & natureCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Rock of Dunamase

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

Why it matchesExplore the ruins of a historic castle on a hilltop and take in the stunning views of the Laois countryside. It's a chance to see a significant Anglo-Norman site.

Culture & heritageWeather-proof option
Children welcome

Duckett’s Grove Walled Gardens and Pleasure Grounds

Open dates vary · Check official times Carlow About 40 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.

Activity & attractionCheck the day’s forecast
Children welcome

Delta Sensory Gardens

Open dates vary · Check official times Carlow About 45 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.

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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