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King John’s Castle
With its convenient Limerick city location, there’s no excuse not to take a trip through medieval times and visit King John’s Castle. The 13th century castle boasts an amazing visitor centre with activities and exhibitions for every age group, including touch screen technology, computer animations and eerie projections to truly take you back in time. The Education and Activity Room is a highlight for kids, while the castle’s courtyard is also incredible. During their visit, kids can learn about castle life, Limerick’s Norman soldiers and tour the iconic structure. Admission from €11.70 per adult and €8.50 per child over four, while kids under three go FREE. kingjohnscastle.com
Outdoor adventure
For thrill seekers, there are plenty of outdoor adventure options on offer to families visiting Limerick. Situated within 80 acres of forestry, adventure and outdoor thrills are guaranteed at Basecamp Adventure Park. Archery, teenage paintball, splatball and survival challenges are among the exciting adventures which can be enjoyed by families here. Similarly, Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre offers land adventure activities such as orienteering, abseiling and rock-climbing, as well as water adventures like kayaking and canoeing. Get West Kayaking offers amazing guided Limerick City Kayaking tours, a unique and exciting way of viewing this city with your family. basecampadventurepark.ie, kilfinaneoec.com and getwest.ie
Lough Gur
Ideal for an active afternoon among nature, Lough Gur has undeniable appeal for every age group. Surrounding the lake, the remarkable landscape serves as a walk through many key periods of Irish history including the Bronze Age and Medieval times, and is also host to Ireland’s oldest and largest stone circle. To keep young ones entertained, it is also host to a fairy trail and tree trail. Guided tours are available, as well as The Heritage Centre for those seeking more information about the incredible sites found here. loughgur.com
Indoor entertainment for toddlers
Keeping tiny tots entertained on rainy days is not a challenge in Limerick. Dreamland Fun Centre is an enchanting indoor kingdom for kids under the age of 10, designed to reflect a child’s ideas and imagination. It is also a dream for children with disabilities as, because it is accessible and all-inclusive, every child can play alongside their siblings and friends and join in on the magic. Alternatively, Tons of Fun is another entertainment centre for kids up to the age of 10, with separate areas for different age groups. It also host parent & toddler session on weekday mornings. Admission for Dreamland from €8.00 per adult or child. dreamland.ie . Admission for Tons of Fun from €8.00 per child over 3 and €6.00 for child under 3. tonsoffun.ie
Stonehall Visitor Farm & Wildlife Park
Get up close and personal with a wide variety of species in Stonehall Farm. Llamas, ostriches, alpacas and emus are just some of the exotic creatures to be found here, as well as some more domestic animals. Aside from the park’s furry and feathered residents, visitors can enjoy nature walks, the indoor pet corner, picnics, indoor play areas, go karts, bouncy castles and more! The tea rooms are also an ideal spot to relax and reenergise throughout all of the fun, making this an ideal day’s entertainment. Admission from €9.00 per adult and child, with family rates available. stonehallvisitorfarm.com
Indoor entertainment for older kids
RollerJam is Limerick’s roller disco ideal for both beginners and experienced skaters alike. Ideal for fun family days out and birthday parties, this supersized skating floor and state of the art sound and lighting is sure to make for some active entertainment for the whole family. Another great source of indoor entertainment is JumpLanes Indoor Trampoline Park in Limerick City. Ideal for family fun, kids can bounce to their hearts content in this safe and entertaining indoor entertainment centre. Bear in mind that only children over the age of five are allowed entry here. Admission to RollerJam Limerick from €12.00 per adult and €10.00 per child, with family rates available. rollerjam.ie/limerick . Admission to JumpLanes Limerick from €8.00 per person on weekdays and €10.00 per person Friday-Sunday. limerick.jumplanes.com
Thomond Park tour and museum
Whether you’re a Munster Rugby fanatic or not, Thomond Park Stadium and Museum are sure to make for an exciting day out. The interactive museum is a walk down memory lane through the proud history of Munster rugby, as well as host to some exciting memorabilia and trophies. Stadium tours take you to some of the top secret and private spaces within the stadium, such as the tunnels and home dressing room, meaning visitors can walk in the footsteps of their favourite players and officials. thomondpark.ie
