For The Kids

Children's Attractions

Family Fun Activities
For those who are young, or just young at heart, there are heaps of fun activities for the whole family waiting to be enjoyed in Carlow, Laois and Kildare.

CARLOW TOWN

CARLOW TOWN PARK A wonderful attraction for all the family, this 12 acre site on the banks of the River Barrow has been completed to the highest standards with a safe and secure children's playground. The park was the inaugural winner of the National Tidy Towns Waterside Award in 2004.
OPEN: 7 days per week.

THE DOME FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE The first of its kind in the country, this new family entertainment centre has proved highly popular with both young and old alike. The new centre features a state-of-the-art computerised 12-lane bowling alley and automated bumpers. Other activities include an 8,000 square feet children's play and activity area, water bumpers, pool tables, SKY dome with wide screen televisions, relaxation lounges, juvenile disco and cinema. Birthday parties a speciality. Full restaurant facilities cater for breakfast, lunch and dinner. A range of simulators are an exciting new addition for 2006.

Carlow Business Park, Sleatty Roundabout, Graiguecullen, Carlow. Entrance charge.
Tel: 059-9141555
OPENING TIMES: 7 days per week 9.00 a.m. until midnight.
RATE PER HOUR: Bowling Monday - Friday 9.00 a.m. - 5.00 p.m. 28 Euro. 5.00 p.m. - 12.00 p.m. 32 Euro. Saturday & Sunday 32 Euro. Children's play area: 7.50 Euro per 1 ½ hours. 3 or more children 5 Euro each per 1 ½ hours.

GRAIGUECULLEN SWIMMING POOL is a fully heated, 25m public facility, where visitors are made very welcome. Full gymnasium and leisure centre on site. Graiguecullen, Carlow. OPENING TIMES: 7.00 a.m. - 9.45 p.m. Monday - Friday. 11.00 a.m. - 5.45 p.m. Saturday. 11.00 a.m. - 6.45 p.m. Sunday.
ADMISSION CHARGES: 9.00 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. Adults 5 Euro. Children 3.50 Euro. A common charge of 5 Euro applies after 6.00 p.m.
Tel: 059-9140330

OAK PARK FOREST PARK

The development of 127 acres at Oak Park provides a wonderful woodlands experience for the general public and specifically for children. The park is a mature mixed species woodlland with a predominance of beech, ash, scots pine, larch, ash and sycamore. Colour coded walkways extend over 4 kilometres and include Butlers Wood Loop (700 metres), Lake Path (800 metres), Fox Covert Track (1100 metres) and Sally Island Trail (1700 metres). The lakes and their surrounds provide a habitat for swans and ducks, while the islands shelter many wild and game birds. Informal leisure areas, picnic sites, parking for 100 cars and designated toilet facilities are all provided at the park.
OPENING TIMES: 8.00 a.m. - 9.00 p.m. 7 days per week
ADMISSION CHARGES: Free admission
For further information please contact Carlow Tourist Office Tel: 059-9131554

COUNTY CARLOW

BORRIS

COUNTRY QUADS

Enjoy cross country trekking through a hilly livestock farm in what is considered to be the most scenic spot in rural South Carlow. Travel through river, woodland, hills, hollows, our see-saw and other obstacles on a spectacular track which is quoted as being the best in the country. Safety is a priority and a qualified instructor accompanies each group. All the necessary equipment is provided including safety helmets, clothing and boots. Caters for families including children from 8 years upwards. Great family fun.

Tinnecarrig, Borris, Co. Carlow Tel: 059-9724624/087-2270466
LOCATION: 5km south of Borris off the R729. Well signposted.
OPENING TIMES: 7 days per week - all year round.
RATE PER HOUR: Adult 40 Euro, Young adults 16-18 years 34 Euro, Children 13 - 16 years 32 Euro, Children 8 - 12 years 30 Euro. Family discounts available.

BALLYKEENAN PET & AVIARY FARM Enjoy a great day out for all the family with a wide variety of fowl, animals and unusual birds with a feel and touch pet section. The
farmyard at Ballykeenan is full of ducks, geese, turkeys, chickens and dogs. Horses, ponies, deer, goats and sheep all have their homes in the fields, while gerbils, hedgehogs, mice and various exotic birds are housed in the stone outbuildings and paddocks. All visitors to the farm are given a fully guided tour which Robert MCord and his family imbue with an infectious enthusiasm, which enthralls and delights adults and children alike. Special school tour packages available in 2006.

Robert McCord, Myshall, Co. Carlow. Tel: 059-9157665

LOCATION: Signposted 3km from Ballon off the Carlow - Rosslare road (N80). 1.6km from Myshall village on Kildavin road.
OPENING TIMES: Weekdays 11.00 a.m. - 17.00 p.m. Sunday 14.00 p.m. - 17.00 p.m.
ADMISSION CHARGES: Adults 4 Euro, Children and student 3 Euro.
Lullymore Heritage and Discovery Park; the whole family can run riot here, discovering dwellings from Ireland's past, searching for fairies in the Fairy Bower, being adventurous in the Adventure Park, trying out skills in the indoor Funky Forest play area, or taking a ride on the road train. You might just have to stay all day!
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare
Tel: 045 870238
www.lullymorepark.com
Open all year round
Entrance charge

Bog of Allen Nature Centre;
An international centre for peatland education, conservation and research. Here you can explore the history of peat and the unique flora and fauna associated with bogs. You can walk right into the Bog of Allen, participate in workshops and see over 50 different species of insect-eating plants from around the world.
Bog of Allen Nature Centre, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare
Tel: 045 860133
bogs@ipcc.ie
www.ipcc.ie
Open all year round
entrance charge


The Millennium Maze; the only place where you can legitimately lose the kids for a few hours. It's a real hedge maze with a sand pit and pets corner to boot!
The Millennium Maze, Ballynafagh, Prosperous, Co Kildare
Tel: 045 861765
Open June - August, seven days a week
Entrance charge

Laois

Roll 'n Bowl Entertainment Centre,
Clonminam Business Park, Portlaoise, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 57 8670005 Email: rollnbowl@eircom.net
Web: www.bowlingireland.com

Computerised, state-of-the-art ten pin cosmic bowling featuring pinball wizard for children. Pool, air hockey and video games, available in games room. Outdoor mini-golf also available. Soft Play area catering for toddlers and children up to 12 years.

Fossey Mountain Springs Ranch
Timahoe, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 57 8636527 Mobile: 087-2316591

Western riding, rail rides, riding lessons, natural horsemanship, American-bred horses. Trails across scenic wooded landscape at Fossey Mountain - all trails off road. Suitable for all levels.

Heritage Bowls Stadium / Outdoors Green
The Heritage, Killenard, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 57 8642320 Email: bowls@theheritage.com
Web: www.theheritage.com

All ages catered for (children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult). Overshoes and bowls provided. Tuition will be given prior to play.

Dunamaise Arts Centre
Church Street, Portlaoise, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 57 8663355 Email: info@dunamaise.ie
Web: www.dunamaise.ie

Arts Centre and Theatre which presents the best in local, national and international performing and visual arts, including theatre, music and children's events.

Ballyhyland X Country Equestrian Centre,
Ballyhyland, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 57 8627200 Email: ballyhylandxcountry@eircom.net

Panoramic Views of Countryside, trekking, cross-country course tuition, livery, tack available on site. Only 10 minutes from main town of Portlaoise.

Supershot Paintball,
Cork Road, Stradbally, County Laois
Tel: +353 (0) 86 3777499

Five Action-packed game areas set in beautiful mature Irish woodland. Supershot has the most up-to-date facilities in Irish paintball.

Tearaways
Rathdowney Designer Outlet, County Laois.
Tel: 1850 386 386 Email: info@tearaways.ie Web: www.tearaways.ie

One of the largest indoor children's play centres in the country. Catering for children 0-9 years. Equipment safety inspected and certified by ILAM. Sitauted at the Rathdowney Designer Shopping Outlet which hosts a number of different stores offering discounts.