Once you have kids the thoughts of international air travel inevitably become tinged with foreboding – let’s face it it rarely goes well.
The staycation, however, is the perfect option for families. No weight restrictions on baggage, travel tantrums, while inevitable, at least won’t be played out in front 200 plane passengers all plotting to murder you if you don’t “shut that child up” and if you forget the brand of yoghurt they like it’s probably available in the local shop. Of course, instead the tantrums happen in the car but at least here they can be drowned out with blaring music, assuaged with promises of 99s or diverted with clever car games.
The Man and I have usually hugged the coast when holidaying in Ireland before but last week we hit upon the absolute gem that is Ireland’s Lakelands region and had a complete ball.
Here’s 10 awesome adventures to have with the kids in the Lakelands
1. Stand Up Paddle boarding with Leitrim Surf
What: The funniest thing you’ll ever do in a wetsuit. Basically stand on a giant surf board thingy (yes, stand) and attempt to serenely paddle down the river, taking in the stunning surrounds while attempting to not fall off.
Where: Leitrim Surf Co., Leitrim Village, Co. Leitrim
Why: It’s absolutely hilarious if you’re bad at it and even more fun if you actually get the hang.
How much? From €25/2 hour guided tour. For more information visit the website
2. Rent a cruiser with Carrick Craft
What: Ireland’s largest cruiser hire company
Where: Carrick-on-Shannon
Why: Because there’s no better way to explore the stunning Lakeland region than aboard your own private cruiser with a chilled glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand… Okay, no family holiday ever remotely resembles that but at least the kids will love the novelty of sleeping on a boat. Think luxury camping on the river. If you’ve never driven a boat before rest assured Carrick Craft provide all the instruction you need before setting off, you can even do an online course ahead of time. Half of the Carrick Craft guests are first-timers at the helm, plus the boats go really slowly so if you were to have a crash you’d have to take your eye off the river for about 40 minutes before anything bad happened (don’t hold us to this).
How much? As little as €810/ 7 nights. For more information visit the website
3. Boda Borg at Lough Key
What: Ireland’s only Boda Borg, a kind of real-life Crystal Maze quest that invites kids and grown ups to test their mettle and mental prowess in a series of team challenges.
Where: Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Why: The tasks are kind of mind-melting but in a good way. Prepare to be vaguely depressed by how much better at this your kids are than you. The sheer spectacle of the quests is brilliant, think jungles, pirate ships and even a huge, outsized kitchen all housed in the Lough Key World of Adventure. It’s indoors so a great option when the weather turns on you.
How much? Starting from €15/person. Boda Borg is for kids aged seven and up and adults of any age. The little ones can explore the Lough Key Adventure Play Kingdom right beside the Boda Borg. For more information visit the website
4. Explore the Lough Key Experience
What: An audio guided walk that takes you from the underground labyrinth of old servant’s tunnels right up into the tree canopy for Ireland’s only tree canopy walk.
Where: Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Why: The spooky tunnels, the exhilarating platform that wends through the trees high above the forest floor – if any family members are misbehaving it’s the ideal tour to “lose” someone on, mother-in-laws beware. It’s also a great mashup of history, stunning views, local stories and a light adrenaline buzz.
How much? Adults, €7.50; Kids, €5. For more information visit the website.
5. Zipit at Lough Key House
What: High above the forest floor, explore the trees on 1.5 km of Zipit’s zipline course. There’s five graded circuits of various difficulty levels to choose from.
Where: Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Why: For those seeking a slightly more high-octane dose of adrenaline look no further. What we loved best about Zipit was that beyond a tutorial prior to commencing the course, once you were up on the zip lines you actually get to fend for yourself to a certain extend, clipping on and off safety lines as instructed by the tutor. It gives the whole thing more of a sports vibe rather than being a passive participant on say a ride at a funfair. The course is pretty epic, clearly devised by a genius daredevil or a total nut job depending on your feelings towards heights. Think shooting through the forest with just a harness and safety line between you and plummeting to the ground 20 feet below. It is a must. I can’t really over state how much we loved this.
How much? The minimum age for Zipit is 7-years-old though for younger members of the family Zipit provides a brilliant spectacle from the ground also. Price for adults is €28; children over 7 are €15. Prior booking is essential as unsurprisingly Zipit is hugely popular. For more information visit the website.
6. Tour the Arigna Mines
What: This disused mine is now open to the public, with interactive museum displays, a wealth of historical photographs and guided tours given by ex-miners themselves.
Where: Arigna, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon
Why: The history of the Arigna Mines is vividly brought to life by the men who spent their days there toiling in the darkness. The kids will love the tour as there some good theatrics too including a simulation of blasting the coal. We had the brilliant and thoroughly entertaining Michael Flynn guide us around the maze-like tunnels and even demonstrate the gruelling process of mining coal.
How much? A family ticket covering 2 adults and 2 children is €28; for more information visit the Website
7. Dine at The Oarsman
What: Restaurant and gastro bar with great tunes
Where: The Oarsman Bar and Restaurant, Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
Why: The food is divine. It’s also perfect for families as while the grub is high end the atmosphere is nice and relaxed. There’s no white table cloths in sight, and there is gastro pub grub for the smallies. Also, we were lucky enough to catch the resident guitarist, John Crowe, who provided the tunes with his brilliantly esoteric set list of acoustic covers. Listen out for his excellent take on Nirvana.
How much? 3 course set menu from €35 at the restaurant; For more information visit the website
8. The Barrelstore
What: Brand new watering hole with an emphasis on craft beers.
Where: The Barrelstore, Bridge Street, Carrick-on-Shannnon
Why: Friendly staff and a really extensive bar menu for anyone who fancies themselves a bit of a connoisseur, including brews by the Carrig Brewing Co. who are based nearby and offer Brewery Tours if you can jettison the kids for a couple of hours. The pub itself is spacious enough for a least three screaming kids to run around!
How much? Usual pub prices. For more information check out their Twitter
9. Strokestown Park and National Irish Famine Museum
What: Tour a Georgian Palladian mansion steeped in history and intrigue, explore the beautifully preserved walled gardens, sample home-baked treats in the café and travel back in time to learn about the Great Irish Famine
Where: Strokestown Park House, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon
Why: There’s ghost stories, piss pots and a bookcase that is legitimately priceless. Guides at Strokestown live and breath the history of the beautiful, former family home of the Pakenham Mahon family and the whole experience is worlds away from a stilted and stuffy museum exhibit. Learn the fascinating part residents of the house played in Irish social history. Uncover the story of Edward Pakenham, shot dead in New Orleans and transported home for burial preserved in a barrel of rum. See the coffin table through which spirits of the house have attempted to communicate with the living.
The Irish National Famine Museum is right beside Strokestown House and is an incredibly moving and engaging journey back in time to those dark years of Irish history. The location is fitting as many of the extraordinary documents displayed there were found inside the house.
How much? Family ticket for all three attractions covers 2 adults and 2 children for €28. For more information visit the website
10. Relax in luxury at Lough Key House
What: A stunning Georgian guest house with six bedrooms, drawing room and dining room.
Where: Beside Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon
Why: Unwind in luxury surroundings. Each room is unique and beautifully appointed. The lady of the house, Frances McDonagh, will make you delicious breakfast to order each morning (even the jams are made from fruit from the garden) and guests are free to relax in the drawing rooms and grounds of the house.
How much? From €49/per night/ per person sharing. For more information visit the website
For your chance to win an action-packed trip to the Lakelands for you and three of your pals, enter our Discover Ireland competition here. For more information on Lakelands Adventures visit Discover Ireland.
