South

Marvel at the incredible pieces sculpted from sand. This festival is a great event and now includes daily children’s activities, and a Hawaiian beach party.

An amazing tour through several caverns spread out over a 3km stretch of caves.

There are treasure hunt mazes, go-karts and crazy golf here, but the animals always prove the biggest hit with the kids, and children are welcome to feed the lambs, chicks, rabbits, ducks and deer.

Go for a leisurely swim or relax and unwind in the warm, soothing therapeutic bubble pool, while the kids splash around under the watchful eye of fully trained lifeguards.

A colourful music and arts festival for all the family with the emphasis on showcasing national and international street theatre and world music.

If your kids don’t enjoy the gift of the gab just yet then bring them along to the historic Blarney Castle. The castle contains the infamous Stone of Eloquence, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it…or so they say! But whether it works of not, kissing the Blarney Stone is a right of passage for all visitors to County Cork.

This wildlife park and sanctuary is home to all kinds of birds and beasts, some of which children are allowed to feed.

Discovered in 1983 and thought to be one million years old, Crag Cava contains over 350 metres of cave waiting to be discovered.

The magnificent Kerry coastline looks stunning from the sea, and you can ride the waves in search of local dolphins who hang about the area. The most famous is, of course, Funghi, Dingle’s resident dolphin for the last 20 years.

Test whether you’ve got a head for heights with Ireland’s only cable car service, which brings you to an island of remarkable scenic beauty and total tranquility.

This working dairy and sheep farm also has a huge variety of other animals such as deer, pigs and calves, which can be handled and fed by visitors.

This is one of the largest model railways in the world, with more than 50 trains running through a miniature European landscape.

Kids can really let their hair down at Perks with funfair rides, snooker, 10-pin bowling, pool and games to entertain them for hours.

“Celebrating the Art of Kerry’s Imagination”, this four day annual event showcases the best in arts, carnival and film, with lots of events for children.

The only planetarium in Ireland with a number of stunning star shows.