Who doesn't love chocolate?
Whether it is in a bar, on top of a cake or moulded into an egg, after 40 days of Lent my children really don't care...and neither do I.
So although Easter Sunday is a time to break our abstinence, the holiday also signals the start of the summer. Lots of venues reopen for the Easter school holidays and remain open for the summer season. There are also those that offer traditional Easter events, including visits from the Easter bunny and fun egg hunts.
Below are a selection of different family activities and events taking place around Ireland over the Easter break.
I may be too busy eating my children's chocolate to get to all of them!
Have fun and stay safe!
The Easter tradition continues at Creamfields on the Tramore Road throughout the holidays with thrills and spills suitable for the whole family, regardless of your age or level of adventure.
- Where: Creamfields, Tramore Road, Cork.
- When: Open daily until April 24th
- Admission: Admission tickets can be purchased at the entrance or online, then pay for any attraction(s) you wish to experience
Spring is a fantastic time on any farm but Newgrange Farm is extra special as their courtyard provides a central location to see all the new animals.You will also be able to hop on down to the farmyard on Easter Sunday and collect a sweet treat from the Easter bunny.
- Where: Newgrange Farm, Meath
- When: Daily, 10:00-13:30 and 14:00-17:30
- Admission: Booking online in advance avoids disappointment.
3. Slime Camps and Egg Hunts | Kidspace
Kidspace Playcentres, located in Rathcoole (suitable for 0-10 year olds) and Rathfarnham (suitable for 0-8 year olds) are running a tasty Easter egg hunt on Easter Sunday morning. A fantastic way to burn off some energy and collect another egg!
They are also running different Easter holiday 2hr drop-off events including a Slime Sensation workshop where kids will love getting hands-on to create their very own gooey slime from scratch. The kids can get creative by adding different colours and glitter and everyone will get to take home their own unique slimy creation.
- Where: Kidspace Rathoole & Rathfarnham, Dublin
- When: Easter Egg Hunts 09:00 Easter Sunday in both venues. Slime Sensation Workshop Kidspace Rathcoole: 11th, 13th & 21 April - Kidspace Rathfarnham: 13th & 22nd April
- Admission: Online, in advance
4. Experience Japan Festival, Farmleigh
Now in its 12th Year, Ireland’s National Japanese Festival has thrilled audiences with outdoor performances and events in the magnificent park and gardens of Farmleigh House.
After a break of two years, they are back with a great line-up of events and activities to enjoy. A highlight of the festival is fusion performances with Japanese famous Taiko Drumming and Irish music. The headline act this year is Irish music legend, Dónal Lunny who will be joined by the famous Japanese musician, Hiro Hayashida. There is also a food court, a treasure hunt, arts & crafts and much more for all the family to enjoy.
- Where: Farmleigh House, Dublin
- When: April 10th, 12:00-16:00
- Admission: Free
5. Easter Bowling and Indoor Fun, Leisureplex
Leisureplex offers you the ultimate bowling experience, where strikes and spares are the name of the game! They also have kiddie ramps and ball walls for the youngest bowlers so they can strike out too!
Leisureplex also offers fun indoor playtime in the Zoo Playland to run off some energy if the weather turns. The soft-play adventure zones are a maze of slides, tunnels and ball pools with comfortable seating areas for Mum and Dad to relax and watch the kids play. Height restrictions apply.
- Where: Leisureplex Tallaght, Leisureplex Charlestown, Leisureplex Coolock, Leisureplex Blanchardstown and Leisureplex Cork.
- When: Open Daily – Bowling 10am-10pm, Zoo Playland 10am-7pm (last entry 5.30pm)
- Admission: Pay on arrival or book online
While the National Museum of Ireland-Natural History remains closed for improvements, enjoy some 'Museum at Home' activities including download and print a biodiversity-themed activity sheet or some colouring pages of some favourite animals in the Museum’s collection.
- Where: Natural Museum of Ireland Online
- When: Available now online.
7. Easter Egg Hunt, The Ark Puddenhill
All kids will be given a treasure hunt map and clues; once they collect all the clues they get an Easter Egg reward!. Clues are both indoor and outdoors and the Easter bunny will be making an appearance on the day. Children can also enjoy playtime in the two indoor soft play areas, two outdoor play areas, indoor petting barn, outdoor padlocks and the enclosed duck pond.
- Where: The Ark, Puddenhill
- When: Easter Saturday, April 16th | 10:00-13:30 and 14:00-17:30.
- Admission: Booking online
8. Biodiversity Workshop & Easter Camps | Rediscovery Centre
The Rediscovery Centre Easter Camps include a variety of Easter-themed activities including their egg hunt challenge, egg science, Easter games, arts and crafts and exploring nature in springtime. It will be egg-cellent! The Easter camps are suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years old. There is also a Biodiversity workshop on Saturday where children can learn the the secrets of growing their own vegetables and herbs, explore the creatures inhabiting their garden and help in the kitchen garden! Suitable for children aged 6 to 12 years.
- Where: The Rediscovery Centre, Dublin
- When: Biodiversity Workshop, Saturday, April 9th, 11:00-12:30 & 14.30 - 16:00 | Easter Camps, Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th, 09:00 - 14:00
- Admission: Booking online in advance only
The Playcentre, with venues in Kingscourt and Trim, will be open daily over the holidays offering a mix of fun child's play and relaxing parent time and maybe a surprise visit from a very important rabbit.
- Where: The Playcentre, Cavan & Trim
- When: Open Daily
- Admission: Pay on arrival
10. Easter Bunny and Cinderella, Castleview Open Farm
On Easter Saturday and Sunday, Castleview Open Farm will have Cinderella and the Easter bunny on the farm interacting with kids and handing out chocolate eggs. There will also be eggs hidden around the farm randomly for kids to find. There is a new baby lamb feeding area and shed for people to bottle feed some pet lambs at 12pm and 4pm each day. The outdoor animals will all be returning to the fields for April too.
- Where: Castleview Open Farm , Laois
- When: Open 9th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th | 11:00 to 18:00 each day.
- Admission: Pay on arrival
11. Wild Ireland
Take a walk on the wild side this Easter with animals that used to roam freely around Ireland including bears, wolves, lynx, monkeys, deer, goats and more.
- Where: Wild Ireland, Burnfoot, Donegal
- When: Open daily for morning and afternoon sessions
- Admission: Booking online, in advance
12. Junior Adventure Course and Bouncing Nets, Discovery Park
The Discovery Park in Castlecomer launch their Junior Adventure Course this Easter, a brand new activity for younger visitors. The new low ropes course sees children navigate a series of obstacles that support developing coordination and encouraging physical exercise. This activity is bundled with their giant bouncing nets; kids adore jumping around under the trees.
Teaching children to become more active and to discover and play for themselves is important for all ages, so Castlecomer also caters for younger children, with a playground, an elf and fairy villag
- Where: Castlecomer Discovery Park
- When: Open daily over Easter school holidays.
- Admission: Online booking highly recommended.
13. Easter Activities at Airfield Estate
This Easter, Dublin’s only working urban farm, Airfield Estate, will have a junior natural treasures trail sheet, felt workshop and guided walks exploring the themes of birds, nesting and chicks offering families the opportunity to learn in a relaxed and hands-on environment. Learn all about birds’ nests and eggs at the scheduled drop-in activity station including nest and bird egg ID and guided woodland bird habitat walks on selected dates (April 13th, 14th, 20th & 21st).
Throughout the Easter break children can pick up a free collectable activity trail sheet created to introduce junior visitors to aspects of birdlife at Airfield. You will also be able to hop on down to the farmyard on Easter Sunday and collect a sweet treat from the Easter bunny.
- Where: Airfield Estate, Dundrum, Co. Dublin
- When: Daily over Easter school holidays | 09.30-17:00
- Admission: Prebook online or pay on arrival
Everyone's favourite kooky family are coming back on stage in this spectacular musical comedy. Join them, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Pugsley and more for a heart-warming story of love, family and friendship… with a twist Featuring a live orchestra and extraordinary original score this show is sure to entertain whether you are 12 or 312!
- Where: Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
- When: Until April 9th
- Admission: Booking online
15. Secret Valley Wildlife Park
A fun family day out with events this Easter including bottle feeding baby goats, meet their giant Flemish rabbits, keeper talks, & Easter Egg treasure hunt and free face painting!
- Where: Secret Valley Wildlife Park, Wexford
- When: Open daily during mid-term
- Admission: Online, in advance
16. Tearaway's Pet Farm & Activity Centre
At Tearaways Pet Farm & Activity Centre there are indoor and outdoor activities to keep all the family happy and active, whatever the weather, including a 6,000 square foot indoor activity centre with slides, crawling tunnels, ball pits and a separate toddler area. Tearaways has a coffee shop for you to relax in whilst your kids play and have fun. The outdoor facilities include a pet farm, outdoor playground, sports area, sledge run, games area, go-cart track and of course the ever popular barrel train.
- Where: Tearaway,Clonmona, Rathcabbin, Co. Tipperary
- When: Daily during Easter (closed Easter Sunday)
- Admission: Online, in advance
April is a month rich in history in Ireland; from the Easter Rising in 1916 to the birth of Samuel Beckett in 1906.
Where else can you experience the landmark events leading to the creation of the Republic of Ireland, the rich culture and mythology of the country as well as lots more family fun?
- Where: National Wax Museum, Dublin.
- When: Open Daily, 10am - 7pm
- Admission: Pay at the door or book in advance online
18. SkyPark
SkyPark is the largest aerial adventure course in Ireland with more than thirty obstacles and seven zip wires. But, it is not all about heights as they also have some fantastic Land Activities including FootGolf, Frisbee, Mini-Golf and Ireland's Ancient East Maze. There is also an Easter Adventure Camp running from 11th to 15th with residential and non residential options available. With laser combat, aerial adventures, kayaking and rock climbing to name just a few of the activities. Finally, there is an Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday 16th at 12pm & Sunday 17th 11am and 12pm; check out the Ireland's Ancient East Maze and see what surprises and chocolate you can find on your way! €5 per child
- Where: Sky Park, Carlingford, Co. Louth
- When: Open daily
- Admission: Book your activities online, in advance
19. EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Now you see him, now you don’t!
The mischievous Púca has dropped by EPIC and hidden a special Irish message in the vaults. Can you help find and decipher the clues?
Follow the colourful eggs in the galleries to find the Púca and the message hidden among them. Be careful though, there are a few mischievous Easter bunnies along the way, who will try to lead you astray!
- Where: CHQ Building, Dublin
- When: April 9th - 24th, 10:00-17:00
- Admission: Included in admission ticket price. Book online or at the door. The trail is suitable for ages 12 years and under.
20. Easter Family Breaks at Shamrock Lodge Hotel
Fancy a short family break? Shamrock Lodge Hotel in Athlone is a beautiful venue in a handy central location. You can explore the private grounds and gardens, their fairy garden, visit the residents of the bug hotel but also use it as a base to explore the many family activities around Athlone.
There are different accommodation options to suit every family and the new The Lodge Bistro serves tasty food overlooking the gardens.
- Where: Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone
- When: Open all Easter
- Admission: Booking online
Wells House and Gardens have a cracking Easter planned for the two weeks of Easter holidays including a series of workshops and activities ranging from a new interactive Guided Tour where children experience what life was like growing up in the 1800s in a "Big House", Meet the Meerkat & Exotic Animal Encounter and a Build A Teddy Bear workshop.
There are puppet shows on Easter Saturday with an Easter Hunt through the fairy woodland on Easter Sunday as well as a BBQ and live music.
- Where: Wells House & Gardens, Wexford
- When: Open daily over Easter.
- Admission: Booking online
22. Easter Week Fun, Brigit's Garden
Unfortunately, the main Easter Egg Hunt event is sold out but the Easter Treasure Hunt will be available for visiting families throughout Easter Week at no extra cost.
Younger children can take part in a Mini Hunt and older children can enjoy the Mighty Hunt around the Gardens. Follow the egg clues around the trail – solve the Easter-themed puzzle and go to Reception to get your reward! Every child receives a little chocolate egg as a prize.
- Where: Brigit's Garden, Galway
- When: April 19-April 24, 10:00-17:30
- Admission: Booking online in advance.
23. Easter at Westport House, Mayo
The Pirate Adventure Park reopens for Easter offering spectacular family fun.
A day pass includes unlimited use of The Cannonball Run slide, Pirate Queen Swinging Ship, Pirates Plunge Flume Ride, The Jump Around, Mini Ferris Wheel, Swan Pedalo Boats, Indoor play areas, Tiny Town, Potting workshop a tour of the estate on the Westport Train and lots, lots more.
- Where: Westport House, Mayo
- When: Open daily until April 24th
- Admission: Booking online.
24. Easter Festival, Clonfert Pet Farm
The annual Easter festival in Clonfert Pet Farm is now bigger and better than ever before featuring all your favourites plus Fun Fair, Treasure Hunt, Teddy Bears' Picnic, Face Painting.
There are different ticketing options including All Inclusive Child which offers access to the farm, unlimited access to the rides at the fun fair and a Lindt Chocolate Bunny on completion of treasure hunt.
- Where: Clonfert Pet Farm, Kildare
- When: April 9th - 17th; three different session per day
- Admission: Booking online in advance only.
25. Easter at Red Mountain Open Farm
There will be two sessions per day with plenty of activities in our large open barns so regardless of the weather, you’re guaranteed to have a good time. Events over Easter include Cuddle Rabbits, Blue Barrel Express, Pedal Tractors & didi cars, Horse & Carriage Ride and a fun day out for all the family.
- Where: Red Mountain Open Farm, Meath
- When: Open daily over Easter (Closed Monday 11th)
- Admission: Booking online
Originally published on Lifestyle on RTE.ie
