Excited for a Munster adventure?
With us in the middle of what’s another summer of staycations for most, many of us are racking our brains trying to think of family-friendly destinations that offer plenty of things to do and see in the remaining weeks.
Enter HerFamily, here to give you all the staycation inspiration you need for holidaying in Ireland with kids.
Whether you’re looking for a northern adventure, autism-friendly hotels so your neurodivergent kid can be themselves, or family fun in the west, we’ve got you covered.
Next up in our staycation series: the Treaty County and its neighbouring Banner County because if you’re staying in one, you can most certainly enjoy the other. Here’s our guide on things to do in Limerick and Clare with kids.
Things to do in Limerick with kids
King John’s Castle
You can’t go to Limerick and not visit King John’s Castle. Take a peak inside medieval castle life, do some archery in the courtyard, explore the exhibitions, and even abseil down castle walls.
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Terra Nova Fairy Garden
If your kids have great imaginations, they’ll love this magical garden packed with colourful flowers, grassy mounds, toadstools and fairy doors. Not only is Terra Nova home to the fairies, it was also crowned Best Garden in Ireland.
Lough Gur
On top of being scenic marvel, Lough Gur’s landscape showcases Ireland’s deep human history. Evidence of the Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Age, Early Christian, Medieval, Early Modern and Modern eras has been found in the immediate vicinity of the lake, which visitors can learn more about by stopping at the visitor’s centre.
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Curraghchase Forest Park
If you’re blessed with good weather, head to Curraghchase for a walk through woodlands, park land and lakes. There’s a mix of trails accessible to wheelchair users and all ages/experiences as well more demanding trails for those looking for a longer walk.
Things to do in Clare with kids
Cliffs of Moher
“Heading to Clare” is fairly synonymous with “heading to the Cliffs of Moher” at this stage. You’ve probably seen them many a time on your Instagram feed between this summer and last, but nothing truly beats experiencing them in person. It’s not hard to see why they were at one point in the running to become an official Wonder of the World, and they’re such a great way to show your kids how lucky we are in Ireland to have such stunning geographical wonders on our doorstep.
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Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
If you missed King John’s Castle (or just really love castles), Bunratty and its 26-acre plot is the ultimate family day out. See how the lords and ladies of the 15th Century castle lived, explore the 19th Century village, greet the animals at the pet farm, and take a stroll through the interactive fairy trail or walled garden.
Burren National Park
The Burren gets its name from the Irish word “Boíreann,” meaning a rocky place, which it’s well-suited to given its expansive limestone landscape. Home to a number of flora and fauna, Poulnabrone Dolmen, and a series of walking trails, the park also makes for a lovely drive if you’re just passing through.
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Caherconnell Stone Fort
Caherconnell stone fort is also located in the Burren, about a kilometre south of Poulnabrone Dolmen. The site again shows signs of settlement from numerous eras, including the Neolithic period or Bronze Age, the 10th – 13th centuries, and the early 15th – mid 17th centuries. Sheep and dogs have also apparently been a constant feature of Caherconnell since its early history, and still are today as visitors can experience them in action during the sheepdog demonstrations.
Craggaunowen
Before you give out to us for recommending yet another castle, hang on: Craggaunowen is also home to a crannog reconstruction. Step back even further than the castle’s 16th Century history and see how the Celts lived at these lakeside settlements.
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