Car trips with kids can feel never-ending – between snack requests, toilet stops, travel sickness, or squabbles over toys and screens! Breaking the journey into shorter stretches takes the pressure off, but knowing where to actually stop is often the tricky part. We’ve gathered some parent-recommended favourites to help make the Dublin to Westport, County Mayo journey (or the return trip) a chance to see some brilliant sights rather than just a long haul in the car.
These family-friendly pitstops give you plenty of opportunity to stretch your legs, recharge and refuel with tasty snacks, and take in some impressive Irish attractions along the route. If you’ve got bikes on the back of the car for your holiday, you can even put them to use with a cycle along part of the Royal Canal Greenway.
Your travel day doesn’t need to be stressful – make it part of the holiday itself, with some fresh air, great scenery, and a few hidden gems along the way.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Dublin for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Where to Stop from Dublin to Westport
Donadea Forest, Kildare
Donadea Forest Park, run by Coillte, includes Donadea Castle and estate. There are plenty of historical features to spot, including the remains of the castle and walled gardens, St. Peter’s church, an ice house and a boat house. The park is also home to a 9/11 Memorial, a scaled replica of the twin towers carved in limestone.
There are three looped walking trails to try: a gentle 0.8km loop around the lake where you can spot plenty of ducks, a 1.6km nature trail through the grounds, and a more substantial 5.7km walk that takes you all around the park.
A small café is open all year, or pack a picnic to enjoy near the lake.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Kildare for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Royal Canal Greenway
Need to stretch your legs? The Royal Canal Greenway offers 130km of level towpath, ideal for walkers, runners and cyclists of all ages and stages.
Starting in Maynooth, it follows the 200-year-old canal through Enfield and Mullingar to Cloondara in Longford, with cafés, picnic spots and attractions along the way.
Along the Greenway you’ll also discover the National Famine Way, a digitally and physically waymarked 167km walking trail connecting Strokestown Park, Co. Roscommon with Custom House Quay in Dublin. The outdoor, immersive trail commemorates the journey made by 1,490 people from Roscommon to Dublin during the height of the Famine in 1847.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Go Exploring with the Best Family Walks in Ireland by County
Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Westmeath
Belvedere House sits on an elevated site overlooking Lough Ennell, with spectacular views across the 160-acre estate.
Discover 10km of trails along the lakeshore and through the woodlands, giving you the chance to explore the flora and fauna at Belvedere – some of the trees on the estate have been growing for hundreds of years. There’s also a Victorian walled garden, an arboretum with many exotic plants, several follies including the well-known Jealous Wall, and a fairy garden for the younger members of the family.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 45 Unique and Unusual Places in Ireland to Visit with Kids
Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm & Playground, Westmeath
Just outside Mullingar, Mollie Moo’s is a family-run pet farm that’s perfect for burning off energy! Children can interact with, cuddle and feed the animals, play crazy golf, ride pedal cars and go-karts, and enjoy some fresh-air fun in the playground.
Bring a picnic to enjoy while the kids run around, and there’s a shop on site for drinks and snacks.
It’s worth checking current opening hours before you set off, as seasonal farms like this can vary their days and months of operation throughout the year.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: The Best Farm Experiences in Ireland for Kids
Strokestown Park House & Gardens, Roscommon
Strokestown Park, Gardens and Irish National Famine Museum is well worth a visit. Strokestown House, a Georgian Palladian mansion, was the family home of the Pakenham Mahon family and is built on the site of the 16th century castle, once home to the O Conor Roe Gaelic Chieftains. It’s unique in retaining its original furnishings, and professionally guided tours run daily, giving an intimate insight into life in the Big House, upstairs and downstairs.
The six-acre walled pleasure gardens have been restored to their original splendour, with features including the herbaceous border, the fernery, lily pond, Victorian rose garden, pergola and peach house.
The Irish National Famine Museum tells a different story, highlighting the parallels between a tragic chapter of Irish history and contemporary global hunger.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Roscommon for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Mayo
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life in Mayo offers a great free day out, with plenty to keep everyone in the family happy as you explore Ireland’s National Folklife Collection and see how people lived in generations past.
Learn about age-old crafts, see the blacksmith’s forge and old farming equipment, and discover what an Irish home would have looked like in the 19th century. What would you have worn in the 1800s? Find out at the children’s dress-up station, complete with hats and outfits from times gone by.
Head outside to explore the woodland trails, get hands-on with the Discovery Station, follow an activity trail, burn off energy in the woodland playground, or borrow the Games Box from the museum reception to see what children played in years gone by.
You can combine a visit to the museum with a Greenway day out for the whole family. The 10km Museum Greenway is classed as easy to moderate and links Lough Lannagh in Castlebar with the grounds of Turlough Park. Bicycle parking is available at the museum, and bicycle hire is available in Castlebar.
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: Guide to Mayo for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
Dublin to Westport: Restaurants Along the Way
Stopping for a quick bite or to recharge along the route is always a good idea, and finding a family-friendly choice makes it easier. Here are our county-by-county guides to family-friendly restaurants along the route from Dublin to Westport:
- Family-friendly restaurants in Dublin
- Family-friendly restaurants in Kildare
- Family-friendly restaurants in Meath
- Family-friendly restaurants in Westmeath
- Family-friendly restaurants in Longford
- Family-friendly restaurants in Roscommon
- Family-friendly restaurants in Galway
- Family-friendly restaurants in Mayo
YOU MAY ALSO ENJOY: 25 Fantastic Places to Enjoy Kids’ Afternoon Tea in Ireland
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Dublin to Westport drive take with kids?
Driving time will vary depending on traffic, your route, and how many stops you make. Building in one or two of the pitstops above can turn a long drive into a much more enjoyable day, so it’s worth allowing extra time rather than rushing straight through.
What’s a good halfway stopping point between Dublin and Westport?
Westmeath makes a natural halfway point, with options like Belvedere House Gardens & Park or Mollie Moo’s Pet Farm giving kids a proper chance to run around before continuing the journey.
Is the Royal Canal Greenway suitable for young children?
Yes – the towpath is level and well-maintained, so it suits buggies, younger walkers and confident little cyclists. You don’t need to tackle the whole 130km; even a short stretch is a great way to stretch legs on a long drive.
Are these stops suitable for a day trip, not just a stopover?
Absolutely. Many families treat stops like Strokestown Park or the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life as destinations in their own right, worth a full visit rather than just a quick break in the journey.
Related Articles
- Guide to Dublin for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- Guide to Mayo for Families: Where to Eat, Stay, Play and Explore
- Go Exploring with the Best Family Walks in Ireland by County
- The Best Farm Experiences in Ireland for Kids
Before You Go
Planning more family days out around Ireland? Browse our travel guides for ideas by county, and save this one for your next Dublin to Westport trip.
Want more days-out inspiration delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Mykidstime newsletter for weekly family activity ideas, days out, and travel tips — no spam, just useful stuff for busy parents.
