25 great summer days out
Fota House has re-opened after significant restoration, and it’s also got a new series of trails for younger visitors. Try the Little Explorers’ Tree Trail, which winds through the arboretum with a host of counting and drawing exercises, or ‘Where is Mrs Kevin’s Cat?’ — a house trail featuring clues as to the whereabouts of the housekeepers’ missing cat… Booklets cost €1 each.
* Details: fotahouse.com.
Ireland’s largest gardening, food and family event is underway this weekend in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Show gardens may be the highlight, but they’re far from all there is to see, with a Budding Bloomers area including Teddy Bears’ picnics, the Food Dudes and a special stage set to be graced by Irish dancers, magician Billy Bubbles and science impresario Scientific Sue. It’s bigger, better and more botanical than ever.
* Details: bloominthepark.com; May 30 — June 3; €20/free.
You don’t have to be a budding chef to visit Ballymaloe Cookery School (though it does help). For €6, anyone can tour the gardens or mosey amongst the chickens, pigs, hens, and cows on a self-guided farm walk. “It’s really to bring the kids out to re-connect with how food is produced,” says Chef-in-Chief Darina Allen. Visit on a Saturday, and you’ll find Philip Dennhardt’s pop-up pizzeria to boot — it’s on-site from 12.30pm to 4pm.
* Details: cookingisfun.ie.
50 Things To Do Before You Die? Here are 50 things to do before you’re 11¾. The UK National Trust’s campaign aims to get families out and about with ideas like ‘eat an apple straight from a tree’, ‘bring up a butterfly’ and ‘find a geocache’. Kids can pick up a list or an activity scrapbook online, ticking the boxes as they visit National Trust properties like Mount Stewart or Castle Ward in Northern Ireland… or simply have fun in their own back yards.
* Details: 50things.org.uk
Puck Fair has always done things its own way. So perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise to see representatives of the festival show up in Dublin last month, announcing their intention to declare independence for four days in August. King Puck passports can be bought for a fiver, but don’t worry, you don’t need one to enjoy the 400th fair, which has been extended from one to four days — “one for every century” they say.
* Details: puckfair.ie; August 9-13; free.
Kids and theatre sit uneasily together in the same sentence, let alone in the same building. But what if both were taken outdoors? The Chapterhouse Theatre Company is touring a production of The Wind in the Willows this June, with performances in Bantry House (Jun 26; €17/€12), Woodstock Gardens in Inistioge, Co. Kilkenny (Jun 27; €12.50/€7.50) and Kilmokea House in Campile, Co. Wexford (Jul 7; €17/€12). What better company for a summer evening than Badger, Toad, Mole and Ratty?
* Details: bantryhouse.com; woodstock.ie; kilmokea.com.
The Great Western Greenway is a 42km off-road cycling rail linking Westport to Achill Island, and Clew Bay Bike Hire has a new ‘Greenway to Seaway’ package offering a cycle to Mulranny and a return by boat with the chance of dolphin-watching or catching mackerel from €70/€50pp. Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park is another local hit, with its Pirate Queen Swinging Ship, Pirate Plunge log flume ride, zorbing runs, zipwires and more.
* Details: destinationwestport.com; clewbaybikehire.ie.
Ever wondered what it’s like to live and work on a farm? Pop along to Grenagh and you can find out. Walking amongst the animals, visiting the milk parlour, inspecting vintage collections of tractors and machinery and tucking into fresh farm produce at the café are all options here, and a brand new heritage exhibition provides an insight into the Ireland of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. There are playgrounds for all ages, too.
* Details: visitthefarm.ie; €8pp or €30 for a family of four.
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of President John F Kennedy’s historic visit to Ireland, and his ancestral hometown is pulling out all the stops in celebration. On Jun 22, New Ross hosts a ‘Homecoming’ festival culminating in the lighting of an Emigrant Flame. A week later, the town is rewinding to 1963, with shops, people and streets all dressing up as they would have done 50 years ago. A “Big American Tea Party” takes place in the Town Park at 6pm.
* Details: wexford.ie; jfk50ireland.com; irishamericaday.com; free.
Ocean to City hoists its sails today, with a programme of maritime events running right through to Jun 10. River races, maritime trails, treasure hunts, harbour cruises and family entertainment are all promised, with the big event — An Rás Mór — taking place next Saturday.
It sees a flotilla of dragon boats, kayaks, currachs, Celtic longboats and more rowing 15 nautical miles from Crosshaven via Cork Harbour to the finishing line at Lapp’s Quay.
* Details: oceantocity.com; free.
Castletown House is one of Ireland’s most remarkable big houses, so what better place to stage a Big House Festival? This carnival of musical adventures and theatrical treats takes place over the August bank holiday weekend, with activities promised for visitors aged one to 100. Discover rock ’n roll in the ballroom, watch opera on the lawn, participate in the Big House parliament or lend your ears to artists like Julie Feeney, Jerry Fish, Donal Lunny and the Farm From Wilfred Theatre Co Lady Louisa herself would have been proud.
* Details: bighouse.ie; heritageireland.ie; family tickets €45.
The people of Kenmare certainly know their food, so you can whet your appetite with confidence in advance of this three-day carnival in July. Cookery demos, kids’ workshops, taste trails, a carnival parade and retro amusements like a carousel and helter skelter are just a flavour of the options, with pop-up restaurants and an artisan food market too.
* Details: kenmarefoodcarnival.com; Jul 12-14.
Jugglers and sword swallowers don’t even begin to describe the wacky acts set to converge on the streets of Dublin (Jul 12-14) and Cork (Jul 21-24) this summer. They’re competing for the coveted title of Laya Healthcare Street Performance World Champion 2013, and in-between shows, spectators can dance in a rainbow disco, throw water balloons at clowns, or register for the custard-pie-throwing championships. ‘Nuff said.
* Details: spwc.ie; free.
Short of family-friendly ideas for the summer? You’ll find upwards of 1,500 of them during National Heritage Week (Aug 17-25). Bone investigations at Kerry County Museum, bat walks in Galway, costume tours at Dublinia, wildlife walks in the Burren and stargazing at Blackrock Castle & Observatory are just some of the previous highlights of a week stuffed chockablock with exciting heritage ideas for children and adults alike.
* Details: heritageweek.ie; most events are free.
What noise annoys an oyster? You can find out this — and much more — at the Carlingford Oyster Festival (Aug 8-11). The medieval town is fast gaining a reputation for its quirky events (National Leprechaun Hunt, anyone?), and it promises to cook up four days of fun for all the family in August, with face painting and free kayaking just two of the options listed alongside the oysters and fishy deliciousness. Watch out for the sailing regatta, too.
* Details: carlingford.ie; discoverireland.ie.
You couldn’t beat the Burren as a location for a geology festival. This week-long schedule of events and walks ranges around the Burren & Cliffs of Moher Geopark, with pick of the family offerings surely Prof Mike Williams’ talk at 2pm on Sunday, Jun 16. Its title? ‘Dinosaur Farts, The Evolution of Ireland & The Antique Rocks Show’. Guests are welcome to bring any rocks or fossils along to Corofin to have them examined by experts.
* Details: burrengeopark.ie; June 15-23.
Any fans of The Wizard of Oz in the house? Why not whisk them along the Yellow Brick Road (ok then, the M7) to the Newbridge Museum of Style Icons? The blue and white pinafore costume worn by Judy Garland in her role as Dorothy is on view until Jul 31. The dress recently sold at auction for $480,000, and can be viewed alongside other costumes worn by Michael Jackson, Princess Diana, Audrey Hepburn, The Beatles and more.
* Details: newbridgesilverware.com; free.
Family website MyKidsTime.ie has teamed up with Coillte in a special campaign aimed at getting parents and children off their couches this summer. Loads of activities are suggested for Coillte’s 11 forest parks (from Curragh Chase in Limerick to Farran Wood in Cork) — think bug hunts, bark-rubbing, cycling and tree-climbing… Send in a photo of your family enjoying some fresh air time, and you could win a few goodies to boot.
* Details: coillteoutdoors.ie; mykidstime.ie/getupgetout.
There’s a little something of everything for everyone on the grounds of the former Wandesford Estate, 20km north of Kilkenny City. Climbing walls, nature trails, an exhibition on the natural and mining history of the area, a craft courtyard, trout-fishing lake and playground just for starters. The newest addition is a tree-top adventure walk... Get your boots on.
* Details: discoverypark.ie; costs vary per activity.
Sea shanties and sizzling fish are the order of the day this June bank holiday weekend at Ballycotton, as the local community pulls together to showcase the food and folklore of the region. Demos, tastings and stalls are all promised, and don’t forget to leave time for a boat trip or the short cliff walk along the East Cork Coast… it leads to paradise — literally.
* Details: facebook.com/ballycottonshantyseafood.
Buñol has its tomatoes, Enniscorthy its strawberries. Though the town has been hosting a strawberry festival since 1967, however, it has yet to degenerate into an all-out fruit fight.
That may happen in the future, but for now events include music from Delorentos and Cry Before Dawn, a Strawberry Princesses Ball, a Teddy Bears Picnic and of course, oodles and oodles of yummy Wexford Strawberries. Jun 28-30.
* Details: strawberryfestival.ie; wexford.ie.
Atlantic Airventure offers a family day out with a difference, including an Aviation Museum (€6/€3) and a Flying Museum Experience where two fledgling pilots can share an aircraft simulator (including 30 minutes flight time) for €35. Meanwhile, Foynes — where flying boats once landed on the Shannon estuary — hosts its Irish Coffee Festival this weekend.
Live music, fancy-dress, fireworks and petting farms are all on the cards… as well as the Irish Coffee Making Championship, of course.
* Details: atlanticairventure.com; foynesfestival.com.
Could this be the best value day out in Dublin? Newbridge Demesne is free to enter, and home to one of the best adventure playgrounds in the city. You can bring a barbecue. A family ticket to the open farm costs just €14 for two adults and two children. Thrown in miles of gorgeous woodland paths and wild flower meadows, and you’re made.
* Details: newbridgehouseandfarm.com.
The Sack of Baltimore took place in 1631, when pirates descended on the West Cork village to kidnap more than 100 men, women and children. Thankfully, the buccaneers descending 382 years later are of a more affable variety, with fun and street entertainment for all ages culminating in prizes for the best-dressed male, female and young pirates. Points will be awarded for both costume and bubbly behaviour!
* Details: Baltimore.ie; Jun 21-23.
Last year the festival had up to 20,000 visitors over the weekend, so the appetite for good Cork food is alive and strong. This year the festival will focus on local producers and cooking with the use of local produce. The popular Chef Demo Area returns where visitors can watch and learn from some of Ireland’s best-known and loved chefs. The unique and quirky venue promises to have live entertainment performing day and night, suitable for all ages including the Dublin Gospel Choir.Look out for the urban beach area too.
* Details: Thursday July 25 — Sunday 28 at Beamish & Crawford Site, Cork City, irishexaminerfoodfestival.com.
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