5 Great Family Activities to Do in Southwest Ireland

Kinsale Port, Cork

Sailing, Wicklow and Bray, 2011

Ireland has long been a great destination for a fun and relaxing family vacation. It has everything you would want: wilderness, wildlife, delicious food, and great fun. There is much to see in Ireland but one of the best places where you can find adventure, culture, and a bit of good craic is in the Southwest!

Learn to Sail

Sailing is an art and a skill that is practiced all over the world. But did you know that one of the most famous historic harbors in all of Europe is in Southwest Ireland? It is! The Kinsale Harbor is a place that sailors have visited for centuries because of its safe and noble waters. In the harbor, your family can hop aboard a small boat and learn the basics of sailing— a skill and hobby that may follow you home!

Visit Cultural Towns for Food and Art

Ireland has been making a bit of a splash in the culinary and art world. Kinsale has recently become the gourmet capital of Ireland and a hot spot for art tourism. Over the past few decades artists have been coming to Kinsale to hone their craft of drawing, sketching, or painting and this has translated into creating a wonderfully little town with its own unique culture. Kinsale isn’t the only town that has been praised for its food and art. Dingle has recently been called the best foodie town in Ireland and also has a host of small shops and art galleries for you to explore.

Go on a Sea Safari

One of the best places in Europe to view marine life out in the wild is in the small sea side town of Baltimore. With over 20 recorded species of whales and dolphins, there is always a good chance that you’ll be able to see one of these magical creatures swimming alongside your boat to say hello! Seeing dolphins or whales in their natural habitat is one of the most exciting things your child can ever experience.

Explore the Countryside

No trip to Ireland would be complete without venturing into the rolling hills of the countryside. There are two main outdoor areas that are great for families to explore in Ireland: the Gap of Dunloe and Killarney National Park.  The Gap of Dunloe is a famous 7-mile long narrow pass through the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountain range that has become a popular path for bikes and horse drawn carriages. Killarney National Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Special Area of Conservation. Your family can hike through the untouched forests and lakes while trying to spot the only remaining herd of Red Deer in the country.

Stay in a Castle

Quite self-explanatory, but you can have a room in your very own castle! Feel like royalty on the grounds of Ballyseede Castle. This is one of the best ways to learn what it might be like to live like the King and Queen!

There is no time better than now to see all that Southwest Ireland has to offer!

 

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