If you’re looking for fun things to do with kids in Roscommon, put Strokestown Park, House and Gardens and the National Famine Museum on your list. It’s a brilliant day out with plenty to keep all ages entertained, from grand walled gardens to quirky bits of history that kids love to unearth.
We’ve rounded up 9 super fun things to do with the kids at Strokestown Park for your next visit.
[[IMG:1]]
Things to Do with Kids at Strokestown Park
As well as the activities below, Strokestown Park House, Gardens and the National Famine Museum run cultural events for all ages throughout the year, including family events, concerts, workshops and talks. It’s worth checking what’s on before you visit.
#1. Check Out the School Room
In bygone days, children of wealthy merchants were schooled at home until they were around 10 years old, when they were sent off to boarding school.
The school room at Strokestown Park House has been preserved with the original desks and wall colours. The bright yellow and blue was thought to keep children more alert for their lessons.
See if the kids notice anything strange about the seats attached to the desks — they’re slightly off centre, to encourage children to write with their right hand. Writing with your left hand was frowned upon until surprisingly recently!
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/school-room-at-Strokestown-Park-House-.jpg
#2. Unearth Horrible Histories
The National Famine Museum is a historical archive of this period in Ireland’s history, situated in the grounds of Strokestown House.
Strokestown was home to Denis Mahon, a landlord assassinated during the height of the Great Famine in the 1840s, after forcing his tenants to emigrate on some of the worst coffin ships of the time. See if you can spot the gun that shot him, on display at the museum — a genuinely chilling piece of history for older kids.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/gun-that-shot-owner-of-Strokestown-Park-.jpg
#3. Step Back in Time in the Nursery
When children weren’t in the school room, they spent much of their time in the nursery. It looks like the children who grew up at Strokestown Park House had an abundance of toys to play with, and it’s fascinating to see the books and musical instruments still on display.
The house is filled with original furniture, paintings, sculptures and works of art throughout — it almost feels like the family still lives there.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Nursery-at-Strokestown-House-family-days-out.jpeg
#4. Find Out About Sleeping Arrangements
This beautiful bed chamber was reserved for the lady of the house. The man of the house had his own chamber at the opposite end of the hall, while the children slept on the floor above their parents — likely for security reasons. Ask the kids who they think was closest to the stairs!
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ladies-bedchamber-at-Strokestown-Park-House-.jpg
#5. Discover Exotic Plants
Strokestown Park has a wonderful working walled garden, restored over time, offering visitors an insight into horticultural design and architecture from the 1740s to the present day.
A former owner of the house, Henry Pakenham, was an avid gardener who travelled extensively gathering plants and seeds from around the world to grow at Strokestown. Many of these exotic plants can still be seen today — see how many different varieties the kids can spot.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/family-at-strokestown-park-gardens.jpg
#6. See Where Food Was Prepared
How would you fancy cooking in these ovens? The fires needed to burn constantly in these enormous hearths so meals could be prepared on time for the family and their guests.
Look out for the chains once used to lift the huge pots food was cooked in. The kitchens offer a fascinating glimpse into life in a big country house.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/cooking-at-Strokestown-Park-House-.jpg
Explore Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands
Strokestown Park offers 300 years of history, heritage and story, set against beautiful natural surroundings — a lovely way to spend time together as a family while exploring this part of the country.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Collections-at-Strokestown-Park.jpg
#7. Go for a Ramble in the Walled Garden
Strokestown Park’s walled garden covers 6 acres and has been fully restored to its original splendour. It was built in 1740 as a vegetable garden, providing fruit and vegetables for the family, their guests and up to 50 staff.
When Henry Pakenham took over the house, he converted 4 acres of the walled garden into a pleasure garden for his family. Today it includes a herbaceous border, a fernery, a lily pond, a Victorian rose garden, a pergola, a peach house, a vinery, and fruit, vegetable and herb gardens — plenty to keep the whole family busy exploring.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Strokestown-Park-House-Gardens-flowers.jpg
#8. Count the Antlers
Strokestown House is packed with antiques and artefacts from around the world. The walls are hung with antlers and other animal memorabilia alongside portraits and paintings. Even in one photo alone you can spot several sets of antlers — see how many more the kids can find on your visit.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/hall-with-antlers-at-Strokestown-Park-House.jpg
#9. Admire the Water Lilies
The lily pond is a lovely feature in the walled garden. Stop by to admire the lilies and see if you can spot any wildlife too. It’s a gorgeous spot for a family picnic if you fancy packing one along for your visit.
https://www.mykidstime.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Waterlillies-at-Strokestown-Park-House.jpg
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Strokestown Park suitable for young children as well as older kids?
Yes. Younger children tend to enjoy the gardens, the nursery and spotting details like the antlers and water lilies, while older kids and teens often find the Famine Museum’s history particularly gripping.
How long should we plan to spend there?
Between the house tour, the museum and the walled gardens, families typically spend a good few hours at Strokestown Park, so it works well as a half-day or full-day outing.
Is there space for kids to run around outdoors?
Yes, the walled garden and wider grounds give children plenty of room to explore outdoors between the indoor parts of the visit.
Related Articles
If you enjoyed this, you might also like:
- The Best Museums in Ireland to Take Kids To
- 10 Fabulously Fun Things to Do with Kids at Johnstown Castle
- The Best Gardens in Ireland to Take Kids To
- Why the National Famine Way Makes a Fabulous Family Day Out
Save This for Later
Not planning your trip just yet? Bookmark this page or save it to your family days-out list so you have it ready when you’re planning your next Roscommon adventure.
Want More Family Day Out Ideas?
Sign up to our newsletter for weekly ideas on family days out, activities and things to do with the kids, straight to your inbox.
—
