If you’re planning a family trip to County Mayo, you’re in for a treat. From traffic-free cycling trails and blue flag beaches to ancient stone forts and dark, star-filled skies, Mayo has something for every family day out. Here’s our MyKidsTime round-up of some of the best things to do with kids in Mayo, in no particular order.
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- #1 Great Western Greenway
- #2 National Museum of Country Life
- #3 Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park
- #4 Graune Pet Farm & Playcentre
- #5 Ballycroy National Park
- #6 Belleek Woods
- #7 Clare Island
- #8 Mayo Beaches
- #9 Achill Island
- #10 Céide Fields
- #11 Mayo Dark Sky Park
#1. Great Western Greenway
Escape the bustle of everyday life on the longest off-road walking and cycling trail in Ireland. The Great Western Greenway runs for 42km along the route of the old Westport to Achill railway line, which closed in 1937.
There’s plenty to see along the way, with Achill, Newport, Mulranny and Westport all sitting on the route. You’ll find picnic benches and information signage as you go, and it’s easy to break your journey at Westport House, the Céide Fields, Croagh Patrick or one of the beautiful beaches nearby. Bikes can be hired in any of the four towns along the Greenway, or bring your own.
Related: Best Outdoor Spots for Families in Mayo
#2. National Museum of Country Life
The National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, located at Turlough Park in Castlebar, brings to life traditional Irish rural living since 1850. It’s a great way for kids to hear the stories and see the everyday objects that shaped Ireland’s rural heritage.
Family events run throughout the year, and entry to the museum is free. There’s a café on site for lunch, and afterwards it’s well worth exploring the grounds of Turlough Park, which include woodland walks, an ancient round tower and a lake.
#3. Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park
Westport House & Pirate Adventure Park has something for everyone, with enough to fill a full family day out. Highlights include:
- Fun rides such as the Cannonball Slide and the Pirates Swinging Ship
- Swan pedalo boats out on the lake
- A playground and soft indoor play area for younger children
- A ride on the Westport House Express around the grounds and into Westport town
- The Dungeons and a tour of Westport House itself, telling the story of the famous pirate queen Grace O’Malley
Booking tickets online in advance can work out cheaper than paying on the day.
#4. Graune Pet Farm & Playcentre
Graune Pet Farm & Playcentre is located just outside Ballyhaunis on the Galway Road, spread across more than 24 acres of family-friendly fun.
Outdoors, there’s a playground with swings, slides, a two-lane zipwire and sandpits, plus picnic tables and pleasant farm walks when the weather is kind. Inside, the Kidzone Indoor Play Centre has a large climbing frame with rope bridges and slides, along with water walking balls and paddle boats.
And of course, there are plenty of animals to meet, from cows, pigs, dogs and cats to alpacas, llamas, emus and wallabies.
Related: The Best Farm Experiences in Ireland for Kids
#5. Ballycroy National Park
Ballycroy National Park, Ireland’s sixth national park, is a wild and beautiful place to explore with the kids. Located in northwest Mayo, it covers a huge expanse of bog, mountain and wilderness, with the Nephin Beg mountain range visible all around. Follow the nature trail up to the viewing point, keeping an eye out for the park’s varied plant and animal life along the way.
The visitor centre runs an interactive exhibition, has a small tearoom, and hosts guided walks and kids’ clubs at various points during the year. Opening hours and seasonal events change from year to year, so it’s worth checking the current visitor centre times before you travel.
#6. Belleek Woods
Just north of Ballina on the road to Killala, Belleek Woods is one of Mayo’s most historic spots, with forest walks and trails winding through mixed woodland of Norway spruce, Scots pine, beech, oak and ash. There are plenty of picnic areas and viewing points along the scenic trails.
History lovers will enjoy spotting the hermitage, an old ice house, and a wall built during the Famine (1845) as part of a relief scheme. The woods are also home to diverse wildlife, so keep an eye out for badgers, foxes, rabbits, herons, kingfishers and cormorants.
Related: 9 Suggestions For Fun Family Walks in Mayo
#7. Clare Island
Clare Island lies about 4km off the Mayo coast and is reached by a short ferry crossing of around 20 minutes. It’s famous as the burial place of the pirate queen Grace O’Malley.
There’s plenty to do once you’re there, from cycling and walking to hill-walking across the island’s dramatic landscape. You can go horse riding with Macalla Horse Farm, or take a boat trip to admire the coastline from the water. Bikes can be hired on the island, and there are coffee shops and a hotel to fall back on, especially in the summer season.
#8. Mayo Beaches
Mayo’s beaches are known well beyond Ireland’s shores, offering watersports from surfing and windsurfing to kitesurfing and kayaking.
##### Mulranny Beach
Mulranny has a number of spectacular coves with soft golden sand backed by machair dunes, and breathtaking views across Clew Bay towards Clare Island. This Blue Flag beach is directly accessible via the causeway, has toilet facilities, and is lifeguarded during the summer months.
##### Old Head Blue Flag Beach
Old Head, around 3.5km east of Louisburgh village, is a personal favourite. The beach is sheltered and great for swimming, with lifeguards on duty over the summer months. When the tide goes out there are lovely rock pools to explore, and there’s a pier and a small café nearby. It gets busy in summer, so an early start pays off.
##### Carrowniskey Green Coast Beach
Just south of Louisburgh, Carrowniskey is one of the best beaches in Mayo for surfing. It’s wide and sandy, great for walking when the tide is out, and there’s a surfing school offering lessons and board and wetsuit hire. Lifeguards are on duty during the summer months. Foot protection is recommended, as weaver fish are occasionally found here.
Related: Mayo Beaches
#9. Achill Island
Achill Island offers no shortage of ways to fill a day, from hillwalking, golf and horse riding to surfing, kayaking and scuba diving. Its beaches are spectacular, several holding Blue Flag status, and afterwards the island has plenty of restaurants and traditional pubs to choose from.
History is visible everywhere, from megalithic tombs to ancient forts and deserted villages. The deserted village at Slievemore is particularly striking — an abandoned settlement of around 100 stone cottages on the mountainside, with archaeological finds dating back some 5,000 years.
#10. Céide Fields
The Céide Fields hold the oldest known field system and the most extensive Stone Age monument anywhere in the world, at over five and a half thousand years old. Around an hour and a half’s drive from Mulranny, it’s a fascinating stop for any history-loving family. Stone field walls, house sites and megalithic tombs lay preserved beneath the peat for millennia, and the wild bog flora here is of international importance too.
The visitor centre has exhibitions, an audio-visual show and a tearoom, and guided tours let you explore the site and try the centuries-old technique of probing for a buried wall yourself. Opening hours vary by season, so it’s best to check ahead before you visit.
#11. Mayo Dark Sky Park
Pay a visit to Ireland’s first Dark Sky Park. Spanning 150 square kilometres between Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin, it’s a spectacular spot to look up at the night sky, with thousands of stars, the Milky Way, and occasional meteor showers visible on a clear night. The visitor centre at Ballycroy has educational exhibitions, information for visitors, and a café. As with the other national park sites, opening times vary by season, so check ahead of your visit.
Related: Free Things to Do in Mayo with Kids
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of year to visit Mayo with kids?
Mayo is a great family destination year-round, but the summer months bring lifeguard cover to the main beaches, longer daylight for outdoor activities like the Greenway and Achill Island, and the fullest programme of family events at attractions such as the National Museum of Country Life.
Is Mayo good for a family day out without a car?
Many of Mayo’s best-known family spots — including the Great Western Greenway towns, Westport House and Achill Island — are reachable by public transport, though a car gives you the most flexibility to combine several stops, such as a beach and a walk, in one day.
Are any of these Mayo attractions free to visit?
Yes — the National Museum of Country Life offers free entry, and outdoor spots such as Ballycroy National Park, Belleek Woods and Mayo’s beaches don’t charge for access, though some activities and car parking may have a cost.
Is Mayo suitable for younger children as well as older kids?
Very much so. Younger children tend to enjoy Graune Pet Farm & Playcentre, the playgrounds at Westport House, and gentle beach visits, while older kids and teens often get more from hillwalking on Achill or Clare Island, cycling the Greenway, or exploring the history at Céide Fields.
Related Articles
- Best Outdoor Spots for Families in Mayo
- 9 Suggestions For Fun Family Walks in Mayo
- The Best Farm Experiences in Ireland for Kids
- Mayo Beaches
- Free Things to Do in Mayo with Kids
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