From exciting activity parks to railway memorabilia to stepping back in time at a grand house, we’ve picked out ten amazing places to visit in Roscommon with the kids.

Visit Cruachan Aí and discover The Rathcroghan Complex, one of Ireland’s Celtic Royal Sites. It has a long and mysterious history, filled with myths and legends, gods, ghosts and demons, and the fates of Ireland’s royalty through the ages.

Rathcroghan Visitor Centre has interpretive rooms, where you can see how the Iron Age and Medieval Irish dressed, what they ate, where they lived, and what they believed in. You can go on a tour of the unique monuments from the mysterious ritual centre of Rathcroghan Mound, to the infamous Oweynagat, (Uaimh na gCat – the Cave of the Cats) entrance to the Irish Otherworld. There’s a café and shop on site.

Strokestown Park 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, home of The O Conor Roe Gaelic Chieftains. It is unique in that it retains its original furnishings and professionally guided tours give 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 and with features such as the herbaceous border, the fernery, lily pond, Victorian rose garden, pergola, peach house, and more. There are outdoor trails and activity sheets for kids to pick up and do while visiting.

The Irish National Famine Museum tells a different story and highlights the parallels between a tragic chapter of Irish History and contemporary global hunger. It was refurbished in Summer 2022 and is now a state-of-the-art Museum for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

In addition, a brand new Woodland Café has been added, so you really can spend a whole day here!

For those looking for a walking adventure, you can follow the National Famine Way a unique trail that follows in the footsteps of 1,490 famine emigrants who left Strokestown in 1847. The trail runs from Strokestown to Custom House Quay in Dublin and can be undertaken in sections.

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King House is a magnificently restored Georgian Mansion and today stands as a museum to life in Ireland in the 18th Century.

Delve into the dramatic episodes of its history with stories of a tragic Irish romance, runaway lovers, a duel of honour, a murder trial, and feats of bravery and hardship in war.

With the aid of special effects and life size models, visitors to are taken back in history in an entertaining way. Children can write with a quill and ink or even dress in the attire of a Chieftain.

Lough Key Forest & Activity Park has an amazing array of activities to see and do for all of the family.

The Lough Key Experience is an engaging audio tour of the history and nature of the Park through the 19th Century underground servant’s tunnels, up the 5-storey Moylurg Viewing Tower and along Ireland’s first Tree Canopy Walk – a 300m long creation of timber and steel that gently rises 9m above the woodland floor offering a ‘birds eye’ view of the landscape.

The innovative and all weather Boda Borg is a unique and challenging Swedish Adventure House for adults and children alike while the outdoor Adventure Play Kingdom provides stimulating and entertaining activities and equipment for children of all ages.

In addition visitors can enjoy the ZipIt experience, Electric Bike Tours, Kayaking and Boat Tours along with trails through the forest park. There are multiple options for food including picnic tables, outdoor food trucks and the Lakeside Café which serves up both savoury and sweet treats.

The Arigna Mining Experience in Derreenavoggy, Carrick-On-Shannon, is a great day out with the kids and provides a unique insight into what coal mining life was like in the Arigna Valley, since its beginning in the 1700’s. All tours of the mine are guided by ex-miners, who give visitors an insight into a working way of life you could not even imagine. The recordings of a number of interviews with the miners and their families are also part of the exhibition, and you can hear their fascinating stories and experiences.

Facilities include car parking, fully wheelchair accessible and baby changing facilities. There is a coffee shop on site as well as a small gift shop.

Loughnaneane Park in Cloonbrackna is a huge recreational area beside the ruins of Roscommon Castle, which is a dramatic and imposing 13th Century Norman Castle, providing some fascinating history when you visit.

The park includes a crannog, known locally as the Hill o’ Bones, a wildflower meadow, bird walk, lake feature and mounds, all of which provide a great place for the kids to explore. The park also has a children’s playground, outdoor gym equipment and a car park. Admission and parking is free.

The Castlerea Railway Museum is located adjacent to Hells Kitchen Bar in Castlerea, County Roscommon, Ireland. The Museum boasts the Largest Private Collection of Rail Memorabilia in Ireland.

The pride of this collection is an A55 Diesel Locomotive fully and lovingly restored.

Also on display are bells, lamps, shunting poles, signal equipment, staffs, station boards, etc.

Coming soon to the Museum is a recently discovered Train Bicycle which was used to inspect track.

Enjoy a family day out at Glendeer Pet Farm in Athlone, where you can meet lots of animals to cuddle and help feed. Also on site is a playground, fairy trail, traditional farm cottage and lots more. There are both indoor and outdoor areas to enjoy your visit no matter what the weather.

Look out for annual seasonal events too including Easter Egg Hunts, Halloween Forbidden Forest Tours and of course Santa will be there too!

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Derryglad Folk Museum in Curraghboy houses a unique collection of over 6000 items which together tell the unique story of Roscommon’s history, heritage and folk culture.

As well as horse-drawn machinery restored to original working order, the collection also deals with farm and folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past. Make sure to check out their tradesman’s tools and buttermaking equipment. The venue also has a picnic area and car parking.

The Elphin Windmill is a fully restored, working, 18th century windmill, the oldest type in the country. Unusual features are its thatched revolving roof and four sails that are turned into the wind by using a tailpole attached to a cartwheel on a circular track – definitely worth a visit!

The mill was originally used for grinding corn and other grains and now houses a visitor centre where the workings of the windmill are interpreted and demonstrated. Also on site is an agricultural museum housing a threshing machine, a winnower and other machinery associated with the harvesting of grain.