By Elaine Whelan
Children love the excitement of staying in a hotel and if that hotel has a pool then the excitement triples! There are some brilliant child friendly hotels around Ireland that have amazing swimming pools for your little ducks to enjoy. Here are ten family hotels in Ireland that are making a splash.
The Hillgrove Hotel (Monaghan)
Located just five minutes’ walk from Monaghan town, The Hillgrove has been named the ‘Number one family hotel in Ireland’ two years in a row by the Family-First Awards. This four star hotel has a 20 metre heated swimming pool in its leisure centre. Families that stay here also have access to a kiddies pool, as well as the Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.
https://www.hillgrovehotel.com/
The Hodson Bay Hotel (Westmeath)
The Hodson Bay Hotel is Ireland’s largest lakeside resort so where better to enjoy a quick splash? Located just five minutes outside the town of Athlone in County Westmeath, this four star hotel has much to offer families. The hotel has a large leisure centre with a large number of facilities. These include a family friendly pool as well as a spa and Jacuzzi.
https://www.hodsonbayhotel.com/
The Ferrycarrig Hotel (Wexford)
If you want your kids to swim in style then this is the perfect place for you. The Ferrycarrig Hotel in Co. Wexford has won awards for the design of their 20 metre indoor pool. There is also a separate shallow kid’s pool. However, this is no ordinary kids pool as it is kitted out with a number of jets and fountains to entertain your children for hours.
https://www.ferrycarrighotel.ie/
The Maritime Hotel (Cork)
This hotel does exactly what it says on the tin. The Maratime Hotel in Bantry, Co. Cork lives up to its name with its swimming pool. The hotels leisure club, Club Maratime boasts an impressive 19 metre pool and children’s pool. Your kids can also freely enjoy the inflatable toys provided in the pool by the leisure club to keep their younger guests entertained.
The Park Hotel Dungarvan (Waterford)
Dungarvan is a seaside town in Co. Waterford that love all things water related and The Park Hotel is no different. The modern three-star hotel is home to a 20 metre indoor swimming pool with a whirlpool feature and a children’s pool for the little ones.
https://www.parkhoteldungarvan.com/
Hotel Minella (Tipperary)
Hotel Minella is a four star hotel located just a few minutes away from the town of Clonmel is Co. Tipperary. Set in a secluded leafy area, the river Suir flows through the grounds of the hotel and its leisure centre. According to Travel Myth The Minella Hotel ranks in the top 20% of hotels with the best pools in the world. This award winning 20 metre deck level swimming pool and separate children’s pool area is ideal for the serious swimmers or just for family fun. There is also a jacuzzi, Swedish sauna and Turkish steam room that overlook the pool, as well as the outdoor spa terrace that is home to the hotels luxurious cedar hot tub.
The Bridge House Hotel (Offaly)
The Bridge House Hotel in the town of Tullamore in Co. Offaly has the perfect modern swimming pool in its very own leisure club. As well as the swimming pool, the hotel leisure club also has a gym, sauna, steam room, a wellness centre and both an indoor and outdoor hot tub. The club even offers special kid’s hours. Set in the heart of Tullamore, your family will have plenty to enjoy here after your little ones dry off. https://thederrynanehotel.com/
https://www.bridgehousehoteltullamore.ie/
Derrynane Hotel (Kerry)
Ireland is not renowned for its tropically warm weather however once in a blue moon a day comes along where the sun shines and we need cooling down while basking in the sun. Derrynane Hotel in Caherdaniel County Kerry is the perfect spot for those kind of days. Unlike most Irish hotels, Derrynane Hotel provides its guests with a dip of a difference.. outside. The outdoor oceanside pool is open everyday rain or shine. This makes Derrynane Hotel the perfect place for the family in one of Irelands rare scorching summers or for a family of daredevils who won’t let a little cold stop them.
The Johnstown Estate Hotel (Meath)
For a stroke of luxury in your swim, bring the family to The Johnstown Estate in Enfield, Co. Meath. This four-star hotel offers a state of the art 30,000 square foot Leisure Centre and Spa, which boasts a modern 20 metre swimming pool, a jacuzzi, a special Canadian hot tub and gym. Their top facilities here and its close proximity to Dublin City Centre means that the Johnstown Estate Hotel has even attracted some well-known guests to its leisure club over the years. With some of the best-known sports personalities and teams such as the IRFU and Sunderland AFC to have been some of the names to have visited here, your kids might even get to catch a glimpse of their heroes doing the backstroke.
https://www.thejohnstownestate.com/
Castletroy Park Hotel (Limerick)
Located just outside Limerick City in the popular Castletroy area, The beautiful Castletroy Park offers a 20 metre heated indoor swimming pool with a depth of three and four metres. The Park believes that this depth is perfect for those in rehabilitation after an injury and children and family alike. The hotel also offers a sauna, steam room, gym, jacuzzi and ice baths. Children over the age of five can take part in gorup swimming lessons and adults can participate in the water aerobics classes available. The Park is also located minutes away from the University of Limerick, Ireland’s Sporting Campus, so if one pool isnt enough you can also venture to University’s state of the art sports centre.
https://www.castletroypark.ie/
Pack your swimsuits, you’re going to need them!
The Johnstown Estate Hotel 
The Ferrycarrig Hotel
