Why
East Coast and Midlands provides a great opportunity for a family friendly holiday and a world of exciting activities close to Dublin with lots to see and do with the kids. For family events this week and things to see do with the kids in The East Coast and Midlands look at our what is on for kids this week page.
Families can absorb Irish heritage at sites from the ancient world as well as in elegant Georgian country houses and gardens. The Newgrange site and the historic hill of Tara are great for kids who have an interest in history.
Wicklow has great sandy beaches and spectacular mountains and is a pleasure for families who like to walk in the mountains and enjoy outdoor activities.
Kildare is the home of Irish racing and was the recent host of the Ryder Cup in 2006. It has magnificent stately homes, designer shopping and trophy golf courses. Louth has breathtaking views and beautiful beaches and if you visit Westmeath you can travel on tranquil canals through unspoilt countryside.
Have a look at our Family Events section for forthcoming family friendly events and things to do with the kids.
When
The region is great to visit all year round but is probably best between April and October when the weather is better. Ireland has a wealth of major festivals and events most of which have free activities suitable for families. For detailed listings you should check DiscoverIreland.ie and click on what to do.
Festivals in the region include the Punchestown National Hunt Festival in April and the Irish Game and Country Fair in Birr in Offaly in August which includes country sports, mediaeval displays and family entertainment.
Saving Money
Irelandvisitordiscounts is a fantastic free downloadable discount voucher for leading Irish cultural and heritage visitor attractions. You should download a form for each member of the family and bring this with you when you are travelling. Discounts include two for the price of one in leading tourist attractions, free admission at some attractions and between 10 and 20% off other attractions. This really could make a considerable saving for your family.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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