One for the kids
SARAH FINUCANE checks out some more of the attractions listed in the Tourism Ireland “Family Fun In Ireland” book, on a weekend break in Dublin.
The new Tourism Ireland publication “Family Fun in Ireland” is an essential little companion when travelling to Ireland with children.
It is packed with information concerning activities, restaurants and accommodation, all of which are specially selected for being child-friendly. The book is set out county-by-county, and is very easy to follow.
We flew into Dublin for a long weekend (that’s myself and my daughter), hired a car with Budget car rental, and over a three-day period took in the following attractions.
Clara Lara Fun Park
This is an outdoor adventure playground for kids, located in the vale of Avoca in Co. Wicklow. It offers water-based fun, as well as mini-golf and go-karting. The kids can have a go at rowing, canoeing and water assault courses. There’s also a pirate ship to row out to and climb aboad.
The deepest water is only waist high, so your average 10-year-old can wade through it, and stand up at all times. And there’s plenty of green space to set up a picnic or barbecue.
MacReddin Riding Stables
You can take an hour-long Pony Trek at the stables. They provide all the gear, including hats and riding boots.
The trek takes you through woodland and across fields, in this peaceful and scenic corner of Wicklow. Riding holidays and hunting holidays are also available here, as well as intensive tuition.
But if you are just passing through, this is a lovely afternoon for the children to get close to nature — both the horses and beautiful countyside around.
Irish National Heritage Park
The Irish National Heritage Park in Ferrycarrig is about two miles outside Wexford town. It is a wonderful nature and history park detailing over 9,000 years of Celtic, Viking and Norse settlement.
On arrival there is a 15-minute video, and then well-marked-out trails take you around the park.
The Fulacht Fiadh restaurant at the park, offers a varied selection of food to suit adults and children alike, and the craft shop offers a large collection of local crafts and giftware. There are lots of trinkets available to buy in the pocket-money range.
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