Irish Family Friendly Activities & Experiences

Explore Ireland’s west coast by kayak for a family adventure with a splash!

What child – or adult! – doesn’t dream of finding pirates or lost treasure? In 15th century Ireland, Galway Bay and Clew Bay were under the control of the infamous Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley. The whole family will love to take part in an exciting treasure hunt on Clare Island, following clues to locate an old pirate’s map. Work together to decipher the map to solve the puzzles, leading to buried treasure at the end! Then, explore the Pirate Queen’s castle yourselves. For families searching for adventurous family travel activities, explore the Pirate Queen’s former empire by stand up paddle on our new family-friendly itinerary, Paddling & Pirates. 

Carlingford’s iconic King John’s Castle

Fun fact: Leprechauns are technically protected under the European Habitats Directive, and have a picturesque sanctuary on the Cooley Peninsula! For a day of unusual family travel activities, families visiting the region can head off into the hills in order to search for the roughly 230 leprechauns supposedly living on the peninsula. Learn about local legends such as the magical bull from the mythical tale of The Tain and admire Carlingford Lough, an inspiration for CS Lewis’ Narnia. Afterwards, head to the family-friendly pub, PJ O’Hare’s, to look at leprechaun artefacts found in the area by PJ himself. If you’re intrigued by Narnia, find places that inspired the mythical land on our Family Adventure – Giants, Myths and Legends. 

Cyclists exploring the Great Western Greenway

Fancy an exciting family bike ride in Ireland, but worried about safety? Look no further then the wild, new Great Western Greenway, a 42-km path from the bustling town of Westport and to the beautiful Achill Island. Following what once was the railway, which closed in 1937, the track was recently turned into the exceptional Great Western Greenway. Rent bikes for the whole family in Westport and pedal at your own pace to Achill Island. There’s plenty to see and do along the way: lovely beaches, the archeological Ciede Fields, the eerie Deserted Village – left over from era of cattle herding – dramatic cliffs on Achill Island and the elegant Westport House. Choose to do part of the Greenway, matched with your family’s ability levels, and get a lift back to town on our exciting new Family Adventure – Paddling & Pirates!

Make your own pottery in a remote corner of Ireland.

Under the expertise of a local artist, try your hand at family pottery-making on the tiny island of Inishbofin. Learn about pottery-making techniques, as well as how to texture and decorate your pieces as Lol, your host, spins tales about western Ireland and island life. In creating your pottery, get inspired by the rugged island landscape around you – the rocky cliffs, bird colonies, ruined Cromwellian castles, quiet coves and white sand beaches. At the end of the day, each family member will bring home a pottery piece to act as souvenir to your Ireland adventures!

A family treasure hunt to forage for Ireland’s best seaweed!

On a guided coastal walk on either the Ivereagh Peninsula (also known as the Ring of Kerry) or the shores of Connemara, forage for seaweed with your host, a local legend and expert chef. Splash in the waves along the coast as you forage for this exciting product of the sea. Your host will explain to your family about the superfood of seaweed, how to find it and various ways to cook it. Afterwards, its time to eat one of his delicious seaweed and seafood inspired dishes! Seaweed spaghetti, anyone? Adults may want to escape in the evening for a relaxing seaweed bath in one of seaside resorts. Go seaweed foraging on our Family Adventure – Paddling & Pirates.