As the days grow longer and the temperature rises (will it last!), it's time to make the most of our summer season.
As the children of Ireland eagerly anticipate the start of eight long, long weeks of summer freedom, parents might find themselves scrambling to keep everyone entertained while also hoping beyond hope for some relaxation themselves.
Fortunately, this summer in Ireland is packed with local events, festivals and venues that promise fun for families of all ages.
For even more inspiration, YourDaysOut offers a comprehensive guide to things to do across Ireland, whether you're staying local or exploring different regions of the country.
Get ready to dive into a season filled with fun, exploration and new memories.
Have fun and support local!
Healthy Being Festival | Airfield Estate | Dublin
June 22nd & 23rd
Airfield Estate invite people to focus on health and wellbeing in nature this weekend with a range of producers, plant and cookery demonstrations, yoga and zumba classes, sleep clinics and nature trails, all designed to help you embrace a healthy lifestyle. Visitors can enjoy the estate’s precious green space and learn about how sustainable food is produced and how nature is beneficial for our health.
This is just one of four weekend festivals Airfield Estate is hosting as part of its Summer Series, which sees it embrace all aspects of sustainability from health to food production and nature, all in a fun and family-friendly way! Tickets can be purchased directly on airfield.ie or on the day.
Old Fort Quarter Festival | Laois
June 22nd - 25th, 2023
The Old Fort Quarter will come alive again with lots of family fun over the weekend along the main street with comedy and family friendly shows, giant games, face painting and lots more to keep everyone entertained.This year sees some new acts like Ballet Poulet and Ronaldo Fanzini bringing their madcap shows to the festival and there will be live performances in the evening from Pogueology, Live Forever (Oasis Tribute), The Tumblin' Paddies and more.
Newgrange Farm Archaeological Park and Newgrange Monument Tour | Meath
June 25th, July 9th, 23rd, August 6th, 20th.
Anthony Murphy of Mythical Ireland will again lead a fascinating new tour of the monuments and mythology of Newgrange Farm at Brú na Bóinne.
The tour will include a visit to the Newgrange Monument, where participants will also visit the interior chamber of the famous monument followed by a tractor-hauled specially modified trailer, where tour participants will get a close-up glimpse of ancient passage-tombs, henges, standing stones and gain a better understanding of the actual size of the area covered by the extensive archeological complex. Limited spaces so early booking advised.
Newgrange Farm is also open daily where visitors can enjoy one of the best farm experiences across a wide open space (and indoor, if necessary!) with plenty to see and do for the whole family.
Taylor Swift themed Dance Party & Pamper Session | Kidspace | Dublin
June 28th, 29th & 30th.
Has your little one been swept up in Swiftie mania? To celebrate the Eras Tour in Dublin, Kidspace Rathcoole are hosting a Taylor Swift themed Dance Party & Pamper Session. As well as all the Taylor themed fun there will of course be time to play in the 10,000 sq ft playcentre!
Watch our for more exciting events, camps and general play all summer in both centres in Rathfarnham and Rathcoole!.
Irish Famine Exhibition | Dublin
Open daily all summer
The Irish Potatoe Famine was the most catastrophic event in Ireland's turbulent history and The Irish Famine Exhibition - centrally located at the top of Grafton Street - tells the story of what happened during those horrific years through documentary film, storyboards and original Famine artefacts. An informative and essential family experience in Dublin this summer.
Aquazone | National Aquatic Centre | Dublin
Daily during summer
AquaZone is the perfect way to start the summer holidays with raging waterpark adventures & flowRider action (for the bigger kids!) or pirate play areas for the little ones, the whole family can have a splashtastic day out.
Sheep Herding | Glen Keen Farm
Various options during summer
Guests will enjoy an introduction to their friendly border collies and learn about their training programme, diet, herding commands, and life at Glen Keen. Watch the dogs herd the sheep on verbal and whistle instructions given by the shepherd. Learn all about the Mountain Blackface sheep and the history of their introduction to this area.
You can also book an historical walking tour to visit Irish homestead dwellings, Bronze Age forts and ancient burial grounds located on the property, learning how some have prevailed for over 5,000 years. Listen to stories of survival, hidden chambers, land battles, evictions, and human determination.
Step back in time while you enjoy the farm’s beautiful landscape, which is a true living museum of Ireland’s history.
Clonmel Junction Festival | Tipperary
June 28th - July 7th, 2024
Highlights this year include Remembering Ronnie, a brand new show led by Phelim Drew EKLEGO, a concert celebrating the Cork musical legacy of the teacher, performer and composer, Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, NightLight, a new concert from BabyLovesMusic and lots more.
Dino Dig | The National Reptile Zoo | Kilkenny
June 29th - 30th, 2024
Calling all dinosaur fans! The National Reptile Zoo will be doing a live fossil dig in the zoo! Fancy yourself a bit of a palaeontologist? Then help Polly the Palaeontologist uncover some fossils. The Dino Dig will run all day across the weekend and is included with your ticket price!
The Zoo will also be open daily during the summer and features over 50 exhibits, animal encounter zone, nocturnal room and much more!
Kilflynn Enchanted Fairy Festival | Kerry
June 29th - 30th, 2024
The festival will open on Saturday 29th June at 4.00pm with a parade, street and on stage entertainment. The fun continues on Sunday morning, along a fairy trail, entertainment throughout the day with lots of your favourite characters.
June 29th - June 30th, 2024
With over 65,000 visitors in 2023 and plans for bigger and better in 2024, Flavours of Fingal is much more than just an agricultural event, it promises a fun-filled family day out for all ages, showcasing the best of food and drink produce, offering spectacular entertainment, fantastic shopping, music and family fun; there really is something for everyone.
Mountpanther Farm Park | Downpatrick
Open daily July & August
Looking for a fun-filled day out with the family? Look no further than the family-run open farm park in Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland.
Nestled in the unique setting of the historic Mountpanther estate, this farm park offers an unforgettable experience with stunning views of Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains. Set against the backdrop of the old mansion house of Mountpanther estate, there are plenty of animals to see ranging from traditional farm animals to exotic, reptiles and small furry friends. Families with young children can spend a whole day in the spacious park, with endless amounts of activities including sand pit, ride-on tractors, inflatables, go-karts and much more!
Feile Brian Boru | Clare & Tipperary
July 3rd - July 7th, 2024
The 30th annual Féile Brian Ború returns with another five day festival held in the twin towns of Killaloe, Co. Clare & Ballina, Co. Tipperary with an extensive programme of fun-filled events including a spectacular firework display across the River Shannon.
Fermanagh Fun Farm | Enniskillen
July-August 2024, 11am - 5pm (Closed on a Monday)
Fermanagh Fun Farm is a social enterprise, not for profit making organisation. The farm is run by a committee of volunteers known as "Friends of the Farm". The farm rescues / adopts animals, giving them a home for life. All profits from the farm go towards the care and welfare of the animals, maintenance on the farm and investing in new projects for the farm. As well as being open Tuesday-Sunday during the summer, they celebrate their 5th birthday on Saturday 6th July, host a Superhero Day on Wednesday 17th July and have a magic show on Wednesday 7th August.
Comeraghs Wild Festival | Waterford
July 6th and 11th - 14th, 2024
This year’s the event celebrates its 10th anniversary with special performances from the High Kings and Lisa Hannigan as well as workshops, talks, storytelling, crafts, surfing and some spectacular walks.
Open daily during summer; camps various
Visit the spectacular gardens, enjoy sun trail, Sustainability Zone, children's discovery trail, playground and a welcoming cafe. There are also different forest school inspired summer camps available throughout the summer for 5-7 or 8-13 year olds.
July 6th - 13th, 2024
Cairde Sligo Arts Festival features a fully live affair featuring new work, exclusive commissions and events spanning music, theatre, dance, visual art, street theatre and more.
Secret Valley Wildlife Park | Wexford
Open Daily, Summer 2024
Secret Valley Wildlife Park is a licensed zoo located in Clonroche, Wexford. The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of animals, including small mammals and large primates that have been rescued from compromised backgrounds. They offer a variety of exciting experiences for visitors, including: up-close encounters with meerkats, porcupines, and capybaras, "Be a Zookeeper for a Day" experiences, where you can get hands-on with their animal friends and so much more including many special BBQ event nights throughout the summer.
Westport Adventure | Westport Estate | Mayo
Daily during summer, 2024
Westport Adventure is the new outdoor adventure park at Westport Estate where there is so much to do; take a tour of Westport House, check out the new adventure park, try the Interactive Gaming Zone or explore the beautiful 400-acre Estate. There is something for the whole family to enjoy.
Daily during summer, 2024
If you are in Westport and the weather turns against you or you just have some excitable children who would benefit from a run around, then pop into the Wild West indoor play village. It is an award winning Wild West themed children's play centre with a sensory room. The climbing frame has slides, ball pit, basketball and soccer areas and a tunnel slide while you enjoy something from the cafe.
Teddy Bears' Picnic | Sligo Folk Park
July 10th, 2024
The Sligo Folk Park will be hosting a Teddy Bears Picnic on the 10th of July. This is a fun event for all the family. Bring your favourite teddy bear and enjoy storytelling, face painting, arts and crafts, and lots of fun and games. The doctors will be in the Teddy Bear’s hospital for any teddy that’s not feeling well.
Kilmore Quay Seafood Festival | Wexford
July 11th – 14th, 2024
The weekend starts with the Grand Festival Parade in the beautiful fishing village of Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford on Thursday night and continues through the weekend with a variety of family friendly entertainment, cooking demos, seafood, music and a Seafood Platter Competition. Yum!
July 12th - 14th, 2024
Live in the Marquee returns to Carndonagh for its 4th year. There will be two great Irish Country acts playing live each night from 7pm with lots of activities for families to enjoy throughout the afternoon.
GoQuest Indoor Challenge | Dublin
Daily during summer, 2024
If you are looking for a fun-filled adventure with your little ones then GoQuest Junior is probably the answer; with a mix of exciting challenges and brain-teasing puzzles. The main arena has 29 different challenge rooms to choose from with a mix of physical, skill and mental challenges or you can unleash your inner detective in the Attic Mystery. It has all you need for a fantastic family day out!
Earagail Arts Festival | Donegal
July 13th – 28th, 2024
An extensive two weeks of events as Donegal’s premier summer festival returns with the circus arts of Catalunya to the capoeira of Bahia, from the traditions of Tory to the stories of Arranmore, from the blues of Bamako to the blues of Ballybofey and lots, lots more.
Galway International Arts Festival
July 15th - 28th, 2024
Galway International Arts Festival returns with a packed programme of theatre, circus, music, visual art, street art and spectacle, comedy and talks, that looks at who we are and what concerns us. The Festival includes seven world premieres, a new visual arts Festival commission, the biggest music line-up to date and continues to present exciting new theatre.
Summer Camps | Castlecomer Discovery Park | KIlkenny
Various weeks starting July 15th, 2024.
Are you ready for an unforgettable summer adventure? Look no further than Castlecomer Discovery Park’s Summer Camp 2024! The camps promise a week filled with excitement, learning, and endless memories with different activities to suit campers of all ages.
July 18th - 27th, 2024
There are lots of fun family events during the festival including a free Family Fun day in the Pleasure Grounds on July 21st. There are also some exclusive Kids Parade Workshops where local children can enjoy the the world of dance, drumming and fun costume creation in advance of the popular Launch Parade at 7pm on Wednesday 17th.
July 20th, 2024
The annual Show is a great opportunity for farmers and families from the region to showcase their animals, homegrown vegetables, home baking and craft. It’s a great day out for competitors & visitors alike. Animal Classes include Horse, Pony, Donkey, Sheep, Cattle, Poultry, Dog & Cat, including 17 Classes that qualify for National Show Finals.
July 20th - 21st, 2024
Exclusively returning to Brick Féile are many international model builders to share their creative genius with you as well as your first opportunity to see spectacular custom models from Ireland's most creative LEGO® builders. They will again have Ireland's largest brick pits where the little ones (and maybe the bigger children) can get stuck into our play areas to show off their building skills including the amazing Duplo® brick pit.
July 20th - 21st, 2024
The annual Rose Festival is a celebration of the beautiful surroundings of St Anne’s Park, popular for the Rose Garden, scenic walks, playing fields and the weekly park run. The fun family day out has the usual mix of live music, arts and crafts stalls, plant sales, food and lots of fun activities.
July 22-23 | July 29-30 | August 12-13 | August 19-20
Wild Ireland is calling all future animal keepers and conservationists. The camp is a two-day experience where children learn what it takes to be an animal keeper or a conservationist. There will be lots of wildlife based activities, arts & rafts and children can learn what it really takes to be an animal keeper. The education team will guide children in caring for animals, fostering a love for wildlife and appreciation of our unique environment.
Participants will also receive a Wild Ireland Summer Camp t-shirt, a free entry pass and their own creations to take home. Suitable for 7-13 years old.
Wild Ireland is also open daily all summer for general admission!
Mary from Dungloe International Arts Festival | Donegal
July 27th - August 5th, 2024
The Mary From Dungloe is now in it 57th year has another packed programme of fun events and activities including a Food & Drink Fayre, a packed children's programme, live music and the Crowning of the 2024 Mary from Dungloe!
Daily during summer, 2024
Feeding times at Fota Wildlife Park have remained a firm favourite with visitors throughout the years and it’s a great way to see exactly the type of work that goes on at Fota Wildlife Park and see up close the Ranger’s daily care of the animals. This summer the Park will be even more popular following the announcement of many new arrivals including the birth of five endangered Ring-tailed lemur babies!
Durrow Scarecrow Festival | Laois
July 28th - August 5th, 2024
This year features live music acts on all nine days in the Scarecrow Village, a Food & Craft Fair in The Square, the Scarecrow Maze in the Funky Zone and of course the spectacular entries for the The All-Ireland Scarecrow Championship!
Daily during summer, 2024
Jurassic Newpark has so much to offer this summer from the enchanting Fairy Trail to the thrilling go-karts and zip line, from cuddly farm friends to majestic dinosaurs or burn off some energy at Jurassic Bounce, a 50m inflatable adventure park with slides, obstacle courses and more!
Birr Vintage Week and Arts Festival | Offaly
August 2nd - 10th, 2024
Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival is an annual community arts festival featuring professional, national and international artists bringing visual arts, theatre, music, street theatre, pop up performers, workshops, exhibitions and lots more, together with a variety of community events.
Sproai Street Festival | Waterford
August 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 2024
Spraoi, Ireland’s premiere summer street party returns to Waterford City over the August Bank Holiday weekend featuring performers and audiences from around the world for a free feast of fun and creativity that ends with the popular parade where spectacular floats, hundreds of costumed performers, live musicians, light, sound, and special effects weave through Waterford’s medieval streets on Sunday night.
Kilmihil Festival of Fun | Clare
August 2nd - August 5th, 2024
The annual Bank Holiday festival in Clare prides itself on FUN and this year will be no different with a programme of events and activities to suit everyone in the family including the the return of Trialstar, Vintage Rally and Street parade and the Monster Family Field Day.
August 3rd, 2024
This year the Bray Air Display will feature the usual mix of inspiring demonstations, amazing display teams, spectacular aerobatic skills, daring pilots and lots of fun, family activties on the ground.
Heart of the Glens Festival | Antrim
August 3rd - 11th, 2024
The Lurig Challenge Run, held on the 10th of August 2024 at 1PM, is the highlight of the Heart of the Glens Festival. Participants are guaranteed an exciting off-road race, breathtaking views and a famously warm Glens welcome. Be prepared for one of the country’s most unique and memorable races, as you run to the top of Lurig (1073 feet), with spectacular views, before a fast descent down the mountain.
August 4th - 5th, 2024
The 60th event in the series will take place in Stradbally, Co. Laois, on Sunday 4th & Monday 5th August, 2024, preceded by a Steam & Vintage Rally on Saturday 3rd from 7pm in Stradbally Village. The annual rally is considered by many to be the premier event in the calendar of steam and vintage shows and features Steam Engines, Vintage Cars, Vintage Tractor Display, Commercials ,Trade Stands, Carnival, Massive Saw Benching Display with the Celtic Steamers, Truck, Steam Engine Rides, Live Music, Family Entertainment, Pet Farm, Dog Show and much, much more!
August 8th - 18th, 2024
Since its foundation in 1974, Kilkenny Arts Festival has gathered many of the world’s finest musicians, performers, writers and artists in Ireland’s medieval city and this year is no different!
There are headline concerts with Lisa O’Neil, Mick Flannery, the European Premiere of two operas from composer Emma O’Halloran – Trade /Mary Motorhead with librettist Mark O’Halloran, the Irish Premiere performance of DRONE MASS by Jóhann Jóhannsson, a chamber and orchestral series, piano recitals, The Marble City Sessions, Dance, Literature, Installations and so much more.
August 10th - 12th, 2024
Ireland's oldest fair, the street festival has roots in the Gaelic calendar and is held without fail on the 10th, 11th and 12th of August every year with free family- friendly street entertainment daily starting with The Gathering, The Fair Day and the festival closes with a midnight fireworks display.
Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival | Meath
August 11th, 2024
The peace and tranquillity of the picturesque town of Moynalty, Co Meath will once again be broken by the sounds and sights of a bygone era as the 49th annual Moynalty Steam Threshing Festival gets underway in the grounds of the Moynalty Steam Threshing Museum and parkland in the heart of the village.
Tearaways Pet Farm | Tipperary
Daily during summer
Featuring a variety of indoor and outdoor activities, there's something to keep everyone happy and active no matter the weather. With a purpose-built 6,000 square foot indoor activity centre featuring slides, crawling tunnels, ball pits, and a separate toddler area, parents can relax in the coffee shop while the kids play and have fun. Outdoor facilities include a Pet Farm, playground, sports area, sledge run, games area, go-cart track, and barrel train. There are lots of friendly animals to be discovered including goats, pigs, a pony, donkey, alpacas, llama, emu, sheep, calves, rabbits, and a Scottish Highlander.
August 13th - 19th, 2024
The Belmullet festival is back for another year with La an Logha Fair day on the 15th and Heritage Day on the 17th.
August 14th - 18th, 2024
The ever popular equestrian, family and social event returns to the RDS with a fun family experience featuring friends, food, fashion and, of course, fantastic horses! The fun isn’t just restricted to adults; there is the Kids’ Zone for children with entertainment as well as face painting and giant games!
Cruinniú na mBád Festival | Galway
August 16th - 18th, 2024
One of Ireland's longest running traditional sailing festivals located in the beautiful village of Kinvarra centrered around the Galway Hooker Festival but also featuring some fantastic family entertainment.
National Heritage Week | Ireland
August 17th - 24th, 2024
National Heritage Week celebrates Ireland’s cultural, built and natural heritage. It brings together volunteers, community groups and heritage enthusiasts to share their experience, knowledge culture and practice with many events hosted nationwide organised by local communities.
The 2024 theme, Connections, Routers and Networks, invites you to explore the ways we are connected to each other through physical or cultural connections
August 18th, 2024
The Tullow Agricultural Show, also known as the County Carlow Show, is one of the largest one day events in County Carlow with 15,000 visitors enjoying a wide programme of events featuring livestock, equestrian, dogs and domestic arts with All Ireland Championship Finals and Qualifiers across a large schedule as well as attractions for a fun filled, family day out including cookery demonstrations from celebrity chefs, live music and dancing, vintage & farm machinery, food & trade stands, children's entertainment and much, much more!
The Playcentre | Kingscourt, Cavan
Open daily, summer 2024
The Playcentre offers a large, safe and fun space that will also be open daily over the holidays to help burn off some extra energy! It's also a fantastic venue for any summer birthday parties with a variety of themed rooms for the little ones to choose from.
Rose of Tralee International Festival | Kerry
August 19th - August 20th, 2024,
While hosts Dáithí Ó Sé and Kathryn Thomas take over the Dome to present the 2023 Rose of Tralee selection live on RTÉ , the Festival is also a week long event with concerts, street entertainment, circus, markets, a funfair, fireworks and Rose Parade.
The Big Grill Festival | Dublin
August 22nd - 25th, 2024
Celebrating 10 years, the Big Grill BBQ and Food Festival returns to Herbert Park where the very best Irish and international chefs, restaurants and barbecue experts come together to celebrate and explore the delicious challenges, skillful techniques, and pure magic of cooking over live fire.
August 23rd - 24th, 2024
Three days of films for children featuring a great programme of choices to suit all ages and interests.
Marhill Open Farm, Tipperary
Open daily (except Wednesdays) throughout July & August.
A relatively new and welcome addition, the farm is designed with a young family in mind where you can relax and enjoy getting up close and personal with their animals or have a cuppa in their brand new café, while the children burn off steam in the in-door and out-door play areas. A mini-digger and barrel train ride is included in your admission ticket
3Olympia August 22nd - 25th
Wackadoo! For the first time ever, smash-hit theatre tour Bluey’s Big Play is coming to Ireland, for real life!
The Olivier Award nominated live theatre show will visit 3Olympia Theatre, Dublin this summer. When Dad feels like a little bit of Sunday afternoon time out, Bluey and Bingo have other plans! Join them as they pull out all of the games and cleverness at their disposal to get Dad off that bean bag.
August 24th - 27th, 2024
Every year, thousands flock to the beautiful seaside town of Ballycastle for the Ould Lammas Fair. Traditionally held on the last UK Bank Holiday weekend of the summer, the town bustles with street trading, bargaining, traditional music, dancing, horse trading, amusements, artisan markets. The fair launches with a spectacular fireworks display at the Seafront on Saturday 24th August, perfectly complimented by live music and a twilight market. There is also a live music concert in The Diamond on Sunday 25th August.
Don’t forget to pick up some Dulce or Yellow Man – a local sweet speciality!
August 25th, 2023
Preparations are well under way to plan another varied, engaging and family fun day. There are numerous classes for horses, ponies, cattle, sheep, dogs, poultry and domestic arts section and avariety of children’s entertainment for all to enhjoy a fun family day out at the end of summer.
August 31st, 2024
Discover the magic of collecting at the Ireland Card Show, the ultimate destination for trading card enthusiasts! The Ireland Card Show offers something for everyone. As you browse through the aisles, you'll encounter an array of vendors showcasing a vast selection of trading cards. From Pokémon to Yu-Gi-Oh!, Disney Lorcana, Dragon Ball Card Games and Sports Cards!
Originally published on Lifestyle on RTE.ie
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