If you're holidaying at home this summer, the Wild Atlantic Way, stretching from Donegal to Cork has something for all the family. This 2,500 kilometre route has, literally, hundreds of attractions, and Fiona McGarry has chosen six of the best family-friendly highlights.
1. Bundoran Adventure Park, County Donegal
One of the biggest challenges on a family holiday is finding something to suit kids of every age. This is where Bundoran Adventure Park is a real godsend. Located on the seafront in Bundoran, the park features the Crazy Mouse Roller Coaster for the daredevils in the family as well as a range of kiddies rides and activities. For older children, there's also Adventure Golf and go-karting.
There's no entrance fee to the park itself and lots of facilities onsite, including the Ocean Cafe and Maud's Ice Cream. Bundoran has a huge reputation as one of Ireland's most family-friendly resorts with a wide choice of hotel accommodation, B&Bs and self-catering. The atmosphere is relaxed and casual and it's a great place to start your adventures on the Wild Atlantic Way.
2. Keem Strand, Achill, County Mayo
Whether your gang are into sailing, swimming, surfing or just paddling and sandcastles, Keem Strand on lovely Achill Island is well worth a visit. Achill is Ireland's largest island, permanently connected by bridge to the mainland. Keem is a mecca for locals and visitors alike and on a sunny day, it's idyllic. Sheltered by cliffs, Keem Strand is part of a Blueway Snorkel Trail. The Blue Flag beach is lifeguarded during the summer season and close to a range of accommodation from cottage rental to family-friendly hotels. Keem is also a lovely base to tour the Great Western Greenway. The trail follows the line of the old Great Western Railway from Achill to Westport, taking in the picturesque village of Newport and Mulranny on its way.
3. Derrigimlagh, Connemara, County Galway
Ideal for biking and hiking, Derrigimlagh in Connemara is a blanket bog landscape dotted with tiny lakes and peninsulas. If you're going to drive the Wild Atlantic Way, it's well worth packing your bikes for a stop-off in this quaint and scenic location.
If you want time and space to bond as a family, Derrigimlagh gives a sense of escape and freedom, with the reassurance that civilisation is just around the corner. While it's close to the bustling town of Clifden, Derrigimlagh feels like it's a world away from the stresses and strains of daily life. So much so, you could find it hard to get a WiFi signal – ideal if you need a digital detox!
Back in 1919, aviators Alcock and Brown crash-landed here after the first successful translantic flight and, legend has it, they fell in love with the captivating landscape.
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Alcock and Brown crash landed here in 1919[/caption]
4. The Cliffs of Moher, County Clare
The world famous cliffs are among Ireland's most visited natural attractions, stretching eight kilometres along the Clare coast. Budding geography enthusiasts in the family will also be able to tell you that the cliffs rise to 214 metres at their highest point at Knockardakin. Older kids will love the environmentally-friendly visitor centre, the 19th century viewing tower and cliff-side walks. Just five kilometres down the road is the stunning village of Doolin, the home of County Clare's vibrant traditional music scene.
5. The Skelligs, County Kerry
All set for its big screen debut in Star Wars, The Force Awakens this December, Skellig Michael is the more famous of the two sandstone outcrops off the coast of Kerry. The islands constitute a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seven miles off the Iveragh Peninsula, they are among the true highlights of the Wild Atlantic Way. Long before Skellig Michael became a Star Wars location, the windswept island was the site of an early Christian monastery. Older children will enjoy the sense of adventure climbing the 618 steps that lead up to the sixth century site. There's also a visitor centre, which is open from March to November, and even a chocolate factory where the kids will get a real kick out of watching everything from chocolate shoes to old-school chocolate drops being made before their eyes.
6. Dursey Island, County Cork
Dursey Island has a cute country charm that will really captivate the kids. Located off the Beara Peninsula, the tiny island is home to three farming families and accessible via Ireland's only cable-car.
The waters around Dursey Island are home to whales and dolphins and legend has it that the island boasts 'Europe's last sunset'. If you are visiting this idyllic spot with the smallies, do bear in mind that there are no shops or restaurants of any kind on the island, so stock up before you board the cable-car!
