Planning a family day out soon but not sure where to go? Having activities for various ages is a must, but so is keeping everyone fed and watered — dealing with a “hangry” child (or adult!) can certainly put a dent in the day. With this in mind, we’ve pulled together some of our favourite family days out around Ireland that also come with great food choices. Have fun!
As always, do check the venue website before travelling for opening times and the most up-to-date information.
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Watch: Family Days Out Around Ireland
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Fun Family Days Out Around Ireland
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Food trucks and outdoor dining spots have become a firm feature of family days out around the country. From pancakes to seafood, coffee to falafel and everything in between, you’re sure to find something the whole family will enjoy.
If you’re planning an excursion and want to enjoy a range of meals, snacks and treats beyond the usual nuggets and chips, then check out these great family days out around Ireland.
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Lough Key Forest Park, Roscommon
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With 350 hectares to explore, Lough Key Forest Park offers plenty of adventure for families of all ages. There are outdoor and indoor activities to enjoy, some paid and many free — from walking and cycling trails to treetop adventures and heaps of history, a day out here is sure to be a hit.
When it comes to food, you won’t be disappointed. The Lakeside Café offers indoor and outdoor dining with hot and cold food, alongside a food truck, coffee cart and treat shack usually on-site. And along the shores of the lake, there are picnic benches — many with built-in BBQ holders — perfect if you want to bring your own food and cook it when you arrive.
Irish National Stud, Kildare
Enjoyed by locals and visitors alike, the Irish National Stud offers a unique, fun-filled day out with the Japanese Gardens, a kids’ zone, and a stud where you can see horses and maybe even enjoy a pony ride. Look out for special experiences that let you get closer to the world of horse racing.
Picnic dining options are sometimes available to book in advance, and for those looking for a sit-down meal, The Japanese Gardens Restaurant offers simple, wholesome food with an emphasis on freshness and flavour.
Johnstown Castle, Wexford
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Do you fancy sharing your picnic with a peacock? That’s a real possibility at Johnstown Castle & Gardens and the Irish Agricultural Museum in Wexford. There are 4km of picturesque gardens and lakeside walks to enjoy, along with an outdoor playground. The Irish Agricultural Museum houses some of the best farming and rural Ireland displays in the country, and castle tours are sometimes available.
Peacocks, swifts, bats and other wildlife roam the grounds, and if you haven’t packed a picnic, you can pick up hot and cold treats from the café in the visitor centre, with tables inside and out.
Be sure to ask about the quizzes, trails and fairy hunts, and look out for more than 200 species of trees and shrubs.
Powerscourt Estate, Wicklow
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The Powerscourt Estate is simply stunning, with walks, trails, award-winning gardens and plenty to do for all ages. Visitors can pack a picnic or bring a BBQ to enjoy at the waterfall (picnics aren’t permitted in the gardens themselves), or pick up everything they need from the Avoca Terrace Café and shop, where you can dine in or enjoy treats on the terrace.
For a more casual bite, there’s often a pizza food truck in the courtyard, followed by ice cream. For adults, the Powerscourt Distillery and visitor centre offers tours and tastings, including food and whiskey pairing experiences that can be booked in advance.
Wildlands, Galway
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Offering indoor and outdoor adventure to suit younger children right up to adults, Wildlands on the outskirts of Galway City is a fun, active day out.
After a workout taking on the challenges on offer, refuel at The Olive Tree Kitchen. Food is prepared fresh daily using local ingredients and veggies grown on-site, with daily hot specials and pizzas cooked in a traditional firebrick oven, available to eat in or take away. For a quicker treat, the Wildlands Wagon offers hot and cold savoury and sweet treats, drinks and coffee.
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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Clare
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Bunratty Castle & Folk Park makes for many happy family days out, whether you’re climbing the spiral stairs to the top of the castle, wandering the homes of the past, or exploring the folk village with its old-style schoolroom, doctor’s surgery and sweet shop, playground and fairy trail. You really will need the full day to enjoy it properly.
There’s no need to worry about feeding hungry adults and kids — options include Mr O’Regan’s Café, where you can eat in, take away, or pre-order a picnic basket packed with goodies, and Mac’s Bar in the village for drinks and traditional pub grub. If you’re lucky, you may even get to sample some freshly baked soda bread, griddle cake or apple tart from a Bean an Tí in one of the traditional cottages. Be sure to check out Hazlebrook House, once home to the Hughes Brothers, founders of HB Ice Cream.
If you’re staying locally and can organise a babysitter, the renowned Medieval Banquets are also worth checking out.
Kells Bay House and Gardens, Kerry
Kells House is home to The SkyWalk, Ireland’s longest rope bridge, along with a Dinosaur Trail where you’ll spot life-size dinosaurs as you make your way through mighty tree ferns and other exotic plants across 40 acres of gardens.
When you’ve finished your journey of discovery, enjoy a snack or light lunch in The Garden Room Café, indoors or on the outdoor terrace. For something different, Sala Thai on-site offers a taste of Thai cuisine for dine-in and takeaway — it’s worth checking their current hours directly, as these can vary. It’s even possible to stay overnight here too.
Slieve Aughty, Galway
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The Slieve Aughty Centre near Loughrea offers walking, cycling and horse-riding trails, and much more besides. For a memorable dining experience, The Three Towers Eco House & Organic Kitchen offers certified organic options for dine-in and takeaway.
Seasonal specials can include pizza nights, where guests make their own pizza and have it cooked in the outdoor oven, plus pancake parties and picnic lunches you can enjoy at one of the picnic spots beside the enchanted forest. High tea can also be booked for larger groups — worth checking directly for current details.
Visitors can also explore the organic garden, pony and horse rides, fairy trails and enchanted forest walks. For those who’d like to stay longer, Three Towers Eco offers accommodation including B&B, glamping, eco lodges and camping.
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Sliabh Liag, Donegal
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The stunning sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) are among the highest in Europe. For a memorable family day out, park at the bottom and walk up the winding sea cliff road to the viewing area over the Giant’s Chair and Table. For those who want to climb higher, you can make your way up to One Man’s Pass — but this isn’t for the faint-hearted!
There are usually a couple of food trucks near the viewing station, or you could book a table at The Rusty Mackerel in Teelin, which offers indoor and outdoor dining.
For a different angle on the cliffs, consider a boat trip on the Nuala Star with Sliabh League Boat Trips, where you might even try to catch your own dinner. If you don’t succeed, you could opt for the Hooked and Cooked Experience at Atlantic Treasures Fish Shop in Killybegs — pick your fresh seafood, choose your seasonings, and take it to Hughies Bar to have it cooked and served alongside a warm potato, chorizo and shallot side. If you can’t make it to Killybegs in person, ingredients can also be ordered online to recreate the experience at home.
Rock Farm Slane, Meath
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Rock Farm in Slane offers land and water activities, including kayaking and rafting trips, electric bikes, or exploring the farm on foot. Farm tours are sometimes available, where you can learn to bake soda bread and cook your own loaf in the wood-fired clay oven to take home.
There’s also a farmers’ market and shop on-site with organic goodies including meat, vegetables, eggs, and hot and cold sweet and savoury take-away options. You can even book a stay at Rock Farm in a yurt, shepherd’s hut, bell tent, swallow’s nest, or one of two houses on-site.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do these venues need booking in advance for food?
It varies by venue and by season — some cafés and food trucks are walk-in only, while picnic baskets, farm tours or tasting experiences often need to be booked ahead. It’s worth checking with each venue directly before you travel.
Are vegetarian or vegan options available?
Many of the cafés, food trucks and restaurants mentioned cater for different diets, but menus and options can vary and change, so it’s a good idea to check directly if anyone in your family has specific dietary needs.
Is it cheaper to bring our own picnic?
Often, yes — most of these venues welcome picnics in designated areas, so bringing your own food is usually the more budget-friendly option, while still leaving the choice to treat the family to something from the café or food truck if you fancy it.
Are these days out suitable for all ages?
Most of the venues featured offer a mix of activities, from gentle walks and gardens to more active trails and adventure experiences, so there’s generally something for younger children, older kids and adults alike.
Can we visit these places all year round?
Many are open year-round, though some seasonal experiences, food trucks or specific events may only run at certain times. Always check the venue’s own website for current opening times before you set off.
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