Hook Lighthouse Visitor Centre on Hook Head, Fethard-On-Sea is one of the oldest working lighthouse in Northern Europe. The former keepers’ houses now play host to visitor facilities, while retaining the elegant facades of their late Victorian build. Built eight centuries ago, and operated originally by monks, today it’s now a museum with guided tours. There are family friendly activities such as shell craft and face painting at the centre during summer months. The drive to the lighthouse is stunning and a great place for a family picnic or the family can relax and enjoy a meal in the Lighthouse cafe or have a leisurely browse in the craft shop. .

The Kennedy Homestead, Dunganstown, New Ross is a unique Cultural Museum and Visitor Centre, celebrating this family history like no other. Moving from steerage on an immigrant vessel to the slums of Boston, from the Court of St. James to the White House, and the golden era Americans refer to as "Camelot".  The John F. Kennedy Arboretum is an ideal spot for family walks and picnics. It’s located on 252 hectares and contains over 4,500 types of trees and shrubs, walking trails, a lake and viewing point, a tea room and visitor centre with an audio-visual show.

Kilmokea Gardens in Campile are worth a visit, followed by lunch in its ‘Pink Tea Cup Café’.

Kia Ora Mini Farm in Courtown Harbour Road is a fun place for children of all ages to experience first hand the world of animals and life on a farm. Children can roam around, visit the animals in their enclosures and feed and touch them. Among the many animals at Kia Ora farm are pot belly pigs, emus, geese, tropical birds, ducks, barn owls, Jacob sheep, ponies, donkeys, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, deer and much more.

Shrule Pet Farm, Ballygarrett is a pet farm comprising all the usual farm animals with emphasis on breeding and preservation of various types of poultry and a varied selection of sheep breeds. Animals may be handled under supervision and during guided tours to the deer enclosure the deer may be hand-fed. A playground will occupy the children while parents enjoy light refreshments.

Loch Mahon Lakes is located in a large secluded valley, 600m away from the road with views of the Blackstairs mountains. It a good place for the family to relax and fish in peace as it allows fly and bait fishing for experienced fly fishers, beginners, adults and children.

Wexford Racecourse is the South East’s leading race course. Nothing beats a day at the races to set the pulse quickening and the adrenalin flowing! Wexford Racecourse is family friendly as it offers various facilities for all of the family.

The Dunbrody Famine Ship offers a fascinating glimpse into an earlier time. On board kids can learn about the famine as performers re-enact the story of emigrants who took the passage to the New World. During the summer months, the tour includes a character who will tell kids all about life on board. Kids can sign up as crew, where they will learn about some of the important tasks on board, e.g. how to make a knot, unfurl a sail, and ring the ship’s bell!

You can also visit Dunbrody Abbey and get lost (in a fun way!) in its full-sized hedge maze.
Tintern Abbey, set in glorious woodlands, is a wonderful place to start out on a nature walk through the forest.

The Irish National Heritage Park provides a full day of activities for families. Interactive exhibitions show life in the Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the early Christian and Norman periods. There are re-creations of houses and Celtic, Viking and Norman customs. Actors wear period costumes and children can explore the homes freely. There are 35 acres of forest and 16 historical sites designed by archaeologists. After you've finished exploring you can relax in the restaurant which overlooks a Cranog (a round house on a lake which was an early Irish way of protecting from intruders).

Families who enjoy the outdoors and love nature will like the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve which is famous for the wild geese that spend the winter here. You can explore this area on foot or on horseback.

Pirates Cove Adventure Park in Courtown offers year round entertainment for all the family. There is huge array of fun things to do for all the family. Some of the attractions include bungee trampolines and large-scale radio controlled models of trucks, safari cars and pirate ships. There is also Fun Caves designed for three to ten year olds.

Courtown Amusement Centre features slides, swing boats, kiddie rides, waltzers, carousel and electronic amusements and good entertainment and fun for the family.

Duncannon Fort in Duncannon is surrounded by a 30 ft high dry moat and has one of the oldest lighthouses of its kind in Ireland. A walk around the outer ramparts affords spectacular views across the estuary to Co. Waterford and down to Hook Head.

Some of the most incredible beaches in Ireland are in the South East. There are plenty of Blue Flag beaches that are safe for kids, with crisp white sand and crystal clear waters. Have a look at our for free section for top family friendly beaches.

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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