There are lots of family friendly and child friendly things to see and do with the kids. Have a look also at our Family Events section for forthcoming family friendly events to entertain the kids and what to do for free.

A highlight of any trip to Sligo is Lissadell House. It is famous as the childhood home of Countess Markievicz, one of the leaders of the 1916 rising: the first woman to be elected to Dail Éireann, where she served as Minister for Labour, and also the first woman to be elected to Westminster Parliament in London (A great example of early female emancipation). Her brother Josslyn created at Lissadell one of the premier horticultural estates in Europe. Sligo born poet W.B. Yeats has immortalised Lissadell in his poetry. An intensive programme of restoration has taken place in the House, gardens and stable blocks since 2004. Now Lissadell is restored and a great family friendly day trip. You can tour the gardens, view the art collection and the Yeats library, wander through the kitchen gardens, the alpine rockery garden and have lunch in the tearooms. A garden museum with a shell collection and a pet farm are due to open soon.

Enniscrone prides itself on it 5km of sandy beach and it is a pleasant seaside town with lots to see and do with all of the family. During the summer fully trained lifeguards and beach wardens patrol and monitor both the beach and the water and parents and children alike will enjoy the surfing and boggie boarding available as well as playing in the sand dunes and walking along the beach. The beach at Enniscrone is a haven for all water sports including surfing, body boarding, kayaking and surf kayaking. During July & August the surf schools run a summer surf camp the surf camps are a more intensive program aimed at both parents and children. Have a look at our Editors Blog for her family trip there.

Waterpoints Swimming Pool in Enniscrone has fun for all the family with a water slide, a kid pool, a spa and a new playground at the back as well as an astro turf and parents can also try the seaweed baths on the pier or the 18 whole championship links golf course.

The beaches in Sligo are spectacular and famous for their surfing in many cases. Easky is a surfing mecca but for experienced surfers only. It is still great fun to take the kids to watch the surfers and they will inspire you to try some of the easier beaches such as Enniscrone nearby where you can get lesson and hire boards and suits. Strandhill is a seaside village and quiet holiday resort located on the R292- it is roughly 7 miles form Sligo town. With its wild Atlantic waves is also a very popular spot for surfers. Swimming is forbidden at Strandhill beach due to the very strong currents.

Mullaghmore Beach is located in north County Sligo, 25km from Sligo town via the N15 and beside the town of Mullaghmore. It is a rural sandy beach backed by an extensive dune system and with views of Ben Bulben. Beach guards on duty daily from June to September. There are both lifebuoys and torpedo buoys availalble on the beach.

Enniscrone and Mullaghmore are better for small children to paddle and jump the waves.

Dunmoran Strand is a sheltered beach break that has quite reliable surf and can work at any time of the year.

Gillighans World has botanical gardens, and natural flora and fauna blend together, enhanced by "faerie habitats" in miniature model villages and "enchanted" glades. Streams and secluded seating areas create a magical atmosphere, whilst a visit to the "faerie fort" offers spectacular panoramic views.

Situated amid the beautiful landscape of Ballymote, Eagles Flying is Ireland's largest sanctuary for birds of prey and owls. Kids can experience some of the biggest birds of prey in the world flying closely over your head, watch different species of eagles hunting on prey-dummies in their natural environment and be astonished about the arrow like flight of the falcons and the high intelligence of the vultures. During the Flying Demonstrations scientists will inform about the biology of the raptors and their important role in nature. There is a children’s pet zoo with goats, lambs, donkeys, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, ferrets, pot-bellied pigs.

Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery is the largest cemetery of megalithic tombs in Ireland and is also among the oldest in the country. Over 60 tombs have been located by archaeologists, the oldest pre-date new grange by some 700 years. A restored cottage houses a small exhibition relating to the site. A good one for kids interested in history.
Sligo Abbey on Abbey Street is a Dominican Friary was founded in the mid-13th century by Maurice FitzGerald. The site contains a great wealth of carvings including Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture, well preserved cloisters and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church.

A guided tour of Woodville Farm in Woodville takes the family through mature woodland, green pastures and old farm buildings showing a wide range of farm animals and poultry in their natural surroundings. Visiting families get to view, hold or feed animals and collect eggs from the free-range hens. The kids can also see farming as it used to be in Woodville’s farm machinery museum.

Happy Days Adventure Play Centre, Cleveragh Business Park, Sligo has fun for children of all ages. They have a fun play centre, ball pool slide, an ariel slide and refreshments.

For rainy days the Gaiety 12 Screen Multiplex, Wine Street, Sligo is a modern 12 screen cinema with all the features you would expect, including Dolby Digital,oversized screens and aircraft style seating.

Sligo Folk Park is located in the beautiful village of Riverstown, Co Sligo. This community based attraction gives a true experience of rural life and Irish heritage at the turn of the late 19th Century.

There are playgrounds in Ballymote, Dromore West, Tubbercurry, Enniscrone, Forthill, Sligo City and Mitchel Curley Park.

Ireland visitor discounts 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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