Summer in Ireland: top day trips and overnight breaks

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• Center Parcs Longford Forest — an all-in-one woodland retreat
• The K Club, Kildare — luxury that welcomes children
• Roe Valley Resort, Limavady — new family-focused upgrades
• Emerald Park, County Meath — theme-park thrills and a zoo
• Wild Ireland, County Donegal — conservation and large carnivores
• Dublin Horse Show — competition and a children’s programme
• Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle — a story-led garden trail
• Wildlands, Galway — indoor and outdoor adventures near the city

With school terms ending, parents across Ireland are planning how to fill long summer days without relying on screens. Below are family-friendly outings and short breaks — from wild animal encounters to indoor waterparks — that work for a single day or a quick overnight stay.

Center Parcs Longford Forest — an all-in-one woodland retreat

Set in the Newcastle Woods, Center Parcs Longford Forest occupies roughly 400 acres of traffic-free woodland and packs accommodation, dining and activities into one contained site. A three-night stay in August is being marketed from around €1,499.

The resort’s focal point is the Subtropical Swimming Paradise, heated to about 29.5°C, with rapids, slides and toddler splash zones that make it useful whatever the summer weather. Outside, families can hire bikes for shaded forest trails or head to the central lake for sandcastle-building, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and an inflatable obstacle course.

Lodges have open-plan layouts and large windows, and wildlife sightings — deer and red squirrels among them — are frequently reported from the patios. For convenience, most units include kitchens and there’s a village square with family-friendly restaurants.

The K Club, Kildare — luxury that welcomes children

On 550 acres along the River Liffey, the K Club mixes five-star comfort with plenty for kids to do, and is roughly 40 minutes from Dublin. Two-night family packages in July start at about €1,000.

Outdoor options are broad: a six-kilometre network of waymarked K Trails, complimentary bicycles, fly-fishing, falconry, archery and junior golf clinics on championship courses once used for the Ryder Cup. Younger children can join the supervised K Cubs Kids’ Club, which runs creative and science activities while parents visit the spa or have a quiet meal.

Accommodation includes interconnecting rooms designed for families, and dining ranges from fine dining at Barton to more relaxed menus at The Palmer and South Bar & Restaurant.

Roe Valley Resort, Limavady — new family-focused upgrades

After the Galgorm Collection took ownership in November 2024, Roe Valley Resort has been refocused as a family destination. The resort has added outdoor play elements and Land Rover experiences and recently unveiled new pool slides.

A two-storey soft-play area is scheduled to open at the start of July, and the resort plans a new bar opening the same month. Children can try pool-based jet-skiing experiences and pizza-making sessions at Fratelli’s, while adults have on-site restaurants, spa facilities and an 18-hole golf course to enjoy.

Located about 30 minutes from Derry and 25 minutes from the north coast, Roe Valley aims to combine high-energy activities with family-friendly hospitality. Summer family sleepover rates are being advertised from around €300 per night B&B.

Emerald Park, County Meath — theme-park thrills and a zoo

Formerly Tayto Park, Emerald Park in County Meath brings together more than 45 rides and a zoo with over 250 animals, making it a one-stop day out for mixed-age families. All-access tickets are available from approximately €44.

Key attractions include the Cú Chulainn wooden roller coaster and the newer Tír na nÓg area for high-adrenaline rides, while a Junior Zone offers gentler options such as Dino Dash for the little ones. Don’t skip the Lemur Woods walk-through or the live bird show, which are among the zoo’s highlights.

The park advises booking early to take advantage of discounts of up to 20% on tickets.

Wild Ireland, County Donegal — conservation and large carnivores

On the Inishowen Peninsula, Wild Ireland presents rescued animals and species that once roamed Ireland in a regenerating Celtic rainforest setting. A family-of-four ticket is listed at €68.87.

The sanctuary focuses on animals that cannot return to the wild and includes European brown bears, a pack of grey wolves, Eurasian lynx and wild boar, alongside arctic foxes, deer, Barbary macaques and native birds of prey. Accessible woodland trails and keeper talks form part of the visit, emphasising conservation and education.

Dublin Horse Show — competition and a children’s programme

Held at the RDS from 5–9 August, the Dublin Horse Show combines top-level show jumping with a family-oriented grounds programme. A family day pass is priced at about €88.50.

Beyond the Main Arena, a dedicated Family Area offers child-focused attractions: a Mini Defender Driving Experience, climbing walls, toddler soft-play and roaming entertainment such as circus acts and magicians. Food trucks and casual dining options make it an easy full-day outing for families who don’t need to be horse experts to enjoy the atmosphere.

Beano Hijinks at Hillsborough Castle — a story-led garden trail

Hillsborough Castle, around 20 minutes south of Belfast and roughly 90 minutes from Dublin, is hosting the Beano summer event across its 100-acre gardens. Adult entry to the castle and gardens is priced at about €23, while children go free to gardens and events this summer.

The themed trail follows a playful storyline in which the Beano characters’ go-kart time machine has scattered parts around the grounds. Families search for the missing pieces and meet life-size characters; adults can combine the visit with a tour of the castle, which includes royal living areas and displays linked to historic moments such as the Good Friday Agreement.

Wildlands, Galway — indoor and outdoor adventures near the city

Just ten minutes from Galway city in Moycullen, Wildlands spans 20 acres of woodland and offers activities that work in sunshine or rain. Adventure options include the Zip ’n’ Trek course, which can reach heights of around 15 metres, plus kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Ballyquirke Lough.

Indoors, visitors can tackle ninja warrior-style courses, a multi-level climbing arena and the Celtic Challenge Rooms — a 24-chamber Irish-mythology crystal maze. Little ones have Baile Beag, an immersive miniature village, and off-road mini-jeeps. The site also offers architect-designed log cabins for overnight stays and an on-site restaurant, the Olive Tree Kitchen.