Galway Aquarium
‘Sea the sea’ and find Dory at Ireland’s largest native species aquarium! Set on the sea front of Salthill, the aquarium is home to a host of animals including octopus, starfish, eel and rays which will make for a great day out for the kids.
You can get up close and personal with your aquatic friends with touch pools and interactive displays (including giant skeletons, boats and water tanks) and expert staff will be at hand to answer all your questions. You and your family will get the best idea of life under the sea.
A child’s ticket costs €7.50 and an Adults is €12.00, but with a variety of family packages available, there a deal to suit all.
For more information, along with a list of feeding times check out The National Aquarium.
Connemara National Park
Set across nearly 7.4k acres of beautiful countryside scenery, Connemara National Park promises to attract the attention of even the youngest members of your family!
With a variety of picnic areas, both indoor and outdoor, packed lunches are essential! During summer the park has a series of talks on wildlife, biodiversity, fossil fuels, farming and nature walks for kids!
With self-guiding nature trails around, the fun (and learning) never stops. To keep the energy going, the playground on site includes slides, playhouses, see-saws and climbing frames for that last burst of energy in the evening.
For more information including directions for parking and a list of events on offer this summer season, visit Connemara National Park.
Turoe Pet Farm & Inflatable City
Just off the M6 close to Loughrea, Turoe Farm is one of Ireland’s top petting farms. Set on a 14 acre farm and home to a variety of animals including pigs, cockerels, ponies, rabbits, donkeys, lamas, this place will engage any animal lover - children will absolutely love it.
Food for the animals will be provided and kids will get an opportunity to get an even closer look and meet their furry friends face to face. Parents, be sure to have those cameras at the ready!
As an added bonus, the kids can play in one of Europe’s largest bouncing castles ‘Inflatable City’, along with ‘Jungle Town’ and two outdoor playgrounds! With a country kitchen, and picnics being encouraged, your family will be fed for the day. After lunch, make sure to make use of some of the most beautiful nature walks Galway has to offer.
Children’s tickets cost €12 while adults are €6. Check Turoe Pet Farm for a range of special offers with families.
The Enchanted Forest, Slieve Aughty Centre
Slieve Aughty Centre is a resort aimed at creating fun-fuelled Summer memories for families. The centre has arts and craft rooms, petting zoos, playgrounds for young and old and a host of nature trails.
The Enchanted Forest, a hidden woodland of native trees where the fairy folk live, is a must-see for you and the youngest. Just a 10 minute walk from the centre, each child receives an Enchanted Forest Pack, equipped with a forest map, wishing tree hanger and fairy dust to add to the magical adventure.
And that’s not all! Slieve Aughty has a host of other activities, events and possibilities including horse-riding, nature trails and organic cafes and gardens and even a pony ride!
For the Enchanted Forest, entry is €5 per child, with Adults and kids under 2 going in for free! Booking is essential so check out Slieve Aughty & The Enchanted Forest sites for more information on dates and times.
Dan O’Hara’s Heritage and History Centre Connemara
Looking for a day of history, heritage, culture and more? Then Dan O’Hara’s Hertiage And History Centre in Connemara is the perfect fit. With reconstructions of crannogs, ring forts and a clochaun on offer, the whole family will have a true Celtic experience. With impressive audio and visual presentations at hand, you can explore how life was like during the Famine.
The hill farm takes you into the heart of Connemara and houses the world-famous Connemara ponies. Plant a tree in memory of your ancestors along with a host of other activities including turf cutting, sheaf tossing, thatching, sheep herding, sheep shearing and more (available on request) and sure to make for fine family memories. For more information, visit Dan O'Hara's Heritage Centre.
For even more travel ideas, deals and reviews check out RTÉ Travel!
