The village I live in is called Oranmore, situated 9km from Galway City centre. Many families pass it by on the way to and from Limerick or Dublin not realising what’s there that’s fun for kids. So here is my choice of 9 Super Fun Things for Families To Do in Oranmore:

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#1. Renville Park

Now to be found on the Wild Atlantic Way route, Renville Park seemed for a long time to be a real unknown secret. Located at Renville 2k from Oranmore village, this recreational area is a draw at all times of the year but particularly in summer months when its facilities really come into their own. You can park at the top of the park or on spaces alongside the road as you drive down the hill or at the car park at the bottom.

At Renville you will find

• lots of looped walks with paved paths suitable for kids’ scooters and bikes,
• the ruin of Renville House
• Renville Castle, a 16th century tower house
• in the old orchard of the castle you’ll find a fabulous kids’ playground with picnic and BBQ area nearby
• exercise equipment
• a pond

On a nice day bring a picnic (or BBQ) and you’ll easily spend a few hours enjoying the facilities. In peak season there’s also a coffee and ice cream van located near the playground.

#2. Renville Beach

This is another great place to take kids. Park at the bottom car park of Renville Park and take the coast road out to the harbour and Galway Bay Sailing Club. If you continue out to on the footpath to the point you will get views of the Aran Islands and over to Galway City.

It’s a 4k walk to the point and back but the path is a bit stony so not completely buggy friendly. We sometimes climb down onto the beach (stony not sandy) for a walk along the beach instead, it’s good for finding flat stones to do stone skimming and also we have found fossils on stones in the past too.

There’s also a geocache located past the point if you enjoy geocaching.

#3. Oranmore Library

A gem of a library located in the old church building in the centre of the village. In Oranmore Library you will find a nice kids’ books section, friendly librarians, puzzles and games, Internet access and papers and magazines on offer. There are toilets as well.

#4. Oranmore Playground

Located behind the car park in the centre of the village this compact but well equipped playground is another family favourite in Oranmore. Equipment includes climbing fort with slide, baby swings, older swings, roundabout, climbing frame and bouncy seats.

If you need some refreshment or eats/drinks afterwards you’ll find plenty of options nearby.

#5. Charlie Byrnes Bookshop Warehouse

Open on Saturdays located just along from the IMC Cinema and City Limits, Charlie Byrnes Bookshop Warehouse is a family favourite and we always come out with at least one book per person. It has a huge selection of new and used books and a good kids section. It’s also a great place to pick up books for gifts too.

If you are in Oranmore on a day other than a Saturday then head to Brazco Cafe above Lidl and you will find a selection of books for sale from Charlie Byrnes in the cafe.

#6. Busy Bees Children’s Activity Centre

We have spent many years going to Busy Bees as my daughters have gone from baby to preschooler to tween to teens. As well as being a popular party venue you will find soft play for babies and older kids with climbing frames, slides, ball pools, mazes, disco, bouncing castle. They also now have a teddy stuffing workshop where kids can build their very own cuddly toy.

Kids aged 7-12 will also enjoy the funky and supervised roller-skating rink. And parents can grab a tea or coffee and relax while the kids play.

#7. IMC Cinema

The IMC Cinema beside City Limits has four screens and is very child-friendly, offering super cheap family prices through the weekend Kids Club tickets. If there are no parking places at the cinema or at the end by City Limits, there’s also an underground car park.

#8. Visit the Swans

The Oranmore swans come every year to the river and a few years ago became famous making it onto RTÉ news when some citizens kindly built them a nesting platform.

To find the swans, I suggest you park at the Oran Town Centre (stopping in to visit the shops of course) and cross the road to visit the little park with the sculptured walls before crossing over the other road to the bridge with views over Oranmore bay and to Oranmore castle. The swans are usually to be found gracefully floating around the river or on their platform.

#9. Oranmore Cafés

Did you know there are 30 places to have a coffee in Oranmore?! We are really spoiled for choice for but here are 4 particularly child friendly cafés in Oranmore:

• Kate’s Place located on the upper level of Oran Town Centre
• Sticky Bakes in the village near the Bank of Ireland
• Poppyseed Cafe on the corner in the middle of the village near the car park
• Brazco Coffee Academy above Lidl

Oranmore for a Family Holiday

Oranmore is also a great place to base a family holiday as it is so near to Galway City but also within striking distance of the Burren and attractions in County Clare and Limerick such as Bunratty Castle & Folk Park and King John’s Castle.

Family Accommodation in Oranmore

• The Oranmore Lodge Hotel has interconnecting family rooms, as well as a nice swimming pool with baby pool in its leisure centre.
• The Maldron Hotel Galway located just off the roundabout at the edge of the village offers family rooms with double bed, single bed and an extra child’s bed. It has a playground, games room. swimming pool and kids club during the holiday seasons.

Child friendly eating in Oranmore

Oranmore is not short of places to eat out, here’s a list of child friendly sit down options:

• Da Enzo at Oran Town Centre – Italian
• Basilico at The Coach House – Italian in the Basilico Restaurant and pub food in The Coach House
• Oran Tandoori – Indian
• Santoor – Indian
• Supermac’s and Papa John’s – Burgers and Pizza
• Royal Villa – Asian

Supermarkets in Oranmore

There are 4 supermarkets (yes 4!) in Oranmore where you can pick up food, picnic nibbles, nappies, juice etc

• Supervalu at Oran Town Centre
• Tesco
• Aldi
• Lidl

There’s also Centra at the Texaco garage and Spar at Bluebell Woods.

Enjoy your visit to Oranmore and do tell us what you thought in the comments below!