It seems like an age since we got to enjoy mid-term breaks too, (college, take us back!), but we do recommend taking advantage of all the fun activities happening around the country in the run up to Halloween. Particularly if you have children at home and you’re risking cries of ‘I’m bored’ for the week – we’ve got some great suggestions to help you out.
Festival Fun
There are a variety of festivals focused on children taking place this mid-term, and for starters they have better names than most other Irish festivals! Check out Hulabaloo in Offaly, Roolaboola in Mayo, The Aisling Arts Festival in Longford, or Feile Barraicini in Kerry – all with a view to keeping young minds active and entertained.
Feeling festive? Arts, crafts and theatre fun are all to be had at children’s festivals happening across the country this mid-term
How Sweet!
This is one the children will adore you for. Make Willie Wonka style fantasies a reality with a tour of one of the country’s top sweet makers. See the home of the Milky Moo and After Dinner Mint with a tour of Ritchie’s Mint Factory tour in Inchicore in Dublin, or chocolate lovers may enjoy a trip to The Chocolate Warehouse in Walkinstown, Dublin. There’s also The Chocolate Garden in Tullow, Carlow where you can even decorate your own creation and head to the nearby animal park and forest walk to burn it off!
Sweet tooth? Indulge it this mid-term with a tasty adventure
Animal Magic
We at Her.ie might have mentioned once or twice (a week) how much we love Dublin Zoo. New additions to the zoo make it well worth a visit; they have recently welcomed a baby giraffe, a new elephant and a baby tapir. Cork’s Fota Wildlife Park, meanwhile, has a new Lemur and you can visit its celebrity baby monkey – Shay Gibbon! Spend some time with incredible birds of prey at Woodlands Falconry in Tullow, Co. Carlow, Eagles Flying in Ballymote, Co. Sligo, or Ireland’s School of Falconry in Cong, Co. Mayo. Of course you could combine a trip to the majestic coasts of Clare with a visit to the Burren Birds of Prey Centre, home to some of the largest displays in the country of falcons, hawks, owls and kestrels.
Meet Tamu and Upali – just two of the newest additions at Dublin Zoo
Aye, Aye Captain!
Learning about history has never been quite so much fun. Head for a maratime excursion aboard the Jeanie Johnston Tall Ship and Famine Museum at Custom House Quay in Dublin, with daily guided tours. In Wexford the Dunbrody Famine Ship will recreate the experience of crossing the ocean, while the Titanic Experience in Cobh, Co. Cork is a permanent visitor attraction commemorating the town’s links with the famous vessel. Don’t forget to create your own ‘I’m the king of the world!’ moment, but don’t worry – there aren’t too many icebergs floating around off the coast of Cork.
Ships Ahoy! Maratime magic aboard the Jeanie Johnston will be fun for all the family
Going Underground
How about ‘caving in’ to demands for a fun excursion? Take the family off to the amazing Ailwee Caves in the Burren, Co. Clare for a subterranean stroll, of check out some stalagmites and stalactites in Crag Cave in Castleisland, Co. Cork. Those in Tipperary, opt for Mitchelstown Cave at the foot of the Galtee Mountains to see three massive caverns covered in glittering crystals.
Deeper Underground – Have an adventure in Ailwee this mid-term…
For more great suggestions on family fun this mid-term, check out Discover Ireland’s new Autumn Winter brochure. The brochure is available in Discover Ireland Centres nationwide and to download at DiscoverIreland.ie
