Dublin has a great range of festivals, family parks and beaches full of lots of fun family friendly things to see and do for free. Not only are they free but they will help you keep the children occupied and experience outdoor life while getting lots of fresh air. Have a look at our Family Events section for forthcoming family friendly events and things to do with the kids.

Galleries

National Gallery of Ireland

The National Gallery of Ireland is located on Merrion Square (which is a beautiful square if the weather clears up and includes a playground). The Irish work is impressive with many Irish and European Master paintings including many by Jack B. Yeats, Ireland's most important 20th century artist. Children will enjoy the new wing which houses a contemporary coffee shop and they run regular family programmes and you can see details on our Family Events section. They also have a new innovative Audio Guide for children between 6 and 10 for the permanent collection.

The Hugh Lane Municipal Gallery of Modern Art

The Gallery has contemporary exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and runs activities including kid’s clubs workshops. The Hugh Lane Gallery is a gallery of modern art and has a fantastic collection of works by artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas and Jack B. If you would like to visit, the Gallery is open every day except Monday. On Saturdays and Sunday’s ask at the front desk for paper and crayons to make your own drawings inspired by your visit. The materials can be returned to the front desk when you are finished!

Children, teachers, families and adults can participate in innovative and enjoyable learning opportunities that explore the collection and temporary exhibitions in the Gallery’s children’s area and education resource room and they run regular educational art session many of which are free and you can see details on our Family Events section. 

Irish Museum of Modern Art

The Irish Museum of Modern Art in Kilmainham is Ireland's leading national institution for the collection and presentation of modern and contemporary art. The Museum presents a wide variety of art in a dynamic programme of exhibitions, which regularly includes bodies of work from its own Collection and its award-winning Education and Community Department. They often run events for fmailies and children on the weekends and you can see detial on our Family Events section.

Parks and playgrounds

The Phoenix Park is the largest urban enclosed park in Europe, with a total area of about 1,760 acres. It houses the biggest family tourist attraction in Dublin , Dublin Zoo as well as a host of walking tracks, running tracks, ornamental gardens, nature trails, expanses of grassland separated by avenues of trees and over 400 deer.

A lively and entertaining exhibition on the history and the wildlife of the Phoenix Park is on display in the Visitor Centre. Here the visitor can enjoy a historical interpretation of the park from 3500 B.C. to the present day and can also view an audio-visual presentation on the Phoenix Park through the ages. Adjoining the Visitor Centre is the fully restored Ashtown Castle, a medieval tower house that probably dates from the 17th century. There is also a restaurant in the grounds of the Visitor Centre. The Centre is sign-posted from the Phoenix Monument. They regularly run events for families which you can see on our Family Events section.

In the middle of the city centre just at the top of Grafton St there is St Stephen's Green which is a 27 acre park. Children can enjoy feeding the ducks and geese and there is also a playground. It is popular for picnics in the summertime and lunchtime concerts are held also in the summer.

Herbert Park in Donnybrook is also a good option for children and it has a newly refurbished playground as well as an older playground. Again feeding the ducks as a favourite pastime.

In North Dublin you'll find playgrounds in St Anne's Park, Malahide Castle and in South Dublin there are playgrounds in Blackrock Park, the People's Park in Dun Laoghaire, Marley Park and Bushy Park.

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is another great outdoor option as is the Phoenix Park located in the city centre. These are ideal for picnics or and generally getting some fresh air. They regularly run events for families which you can see on our Family Events section.

Beaches

Sitting on Dublin Bay Dublin has the benefit of many beaches within a close proximity to the city centre.

In south Dublin Sandymount Strand is a long stretch of beach perfect for walking a buggy or for an afternoon family stroll. The Pier in Dunlaoghaire is again ideal a family walk any time of the day and is populated by Dublin families, dogs, bikes and scooters.

Sandycove Beach is a small sheltered beach just outside the city and has a safe beach which is great for swimming in the summer. Killiney Beach, Bray Strand and Greystones Beach are stony but will still entertain children and adults alike. A trip out to any of these beaches can be a great day out if you go by Dart as they benefit from stunning coastal scenery on the way.

In north Dublin options include Portmarnock beach and the North Bull Island and Dollymount Strand.

Festivals

Dublin has many festivals and family events throughout the year filled full of fun and things to do for the family. About half of the events are free and there are special activities for children organised.

The St Patrick's Day festival is celebrated around the 17th of March and is a week-long festival of activities. The parade is the highlight of the festival and there are many other events including a firework display.

The Festival of World Cultures in Dun Laoghaire is held in August and features a wide variety of international performers.

The Street Performance World Championship is held in June in Merrion Square Dublin. It is free and brings the best street entertainers in the world to Ireland to compete for the title of the Championship. This free weekend event in Merrion Square sees acts such as sword swallowers, mime artists and award winning clowns come together to entertain all ages. Add in Ireland premier face painters, an international Balloon Artist team, world foods, and much more, this weekend is certainly one al the family will enjoy. See our blog on this for the 2008 event. 

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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