10 Places to say 'Hi' to an animal

Round up the family this summer and why not check out these ten places where you can get up close and personal to some of your favourite animals.

Dolphinwatch Carrigholt
Where: Carrigholt, Co Clare

Watch and learn about Ireland's resident bottlenose dolphins on their Eco Gold award winning dolphin and whale watching boat trips. The Shannon Estuary is home to Ireland’s only resident group of Bottlenose Dolphins. There are about 200 in the estuary, an EU Special Area of Conservation, and calves are born every year. While seeing and learning about dolphins and their habitat is central to the experience, there are surprises too.

Aquaventures
Where: Baltimore Co. Cork

Located in West Cork on the South-West coast of Ireland, Aquaventures in Baltimore offers something for everyone interested in diving and water adventures. No matter the water-based activity from scuba diving, guided snorkeling tours, whale and dolphin trips, angling to powerboat courses, Aquaventures have you covered.

Eagles Flying /Irish Raptor Research Centre
Where: Ballymote, Co. Sligo

More than 100 magnificent birds of prey, falcons, hawks and eagles, some with wingspans of 3 metres, await visitors at the Eagles Flying centre near Ballymote, Co Sligo.Watch different species of eagles hunting on prey dummies. Be astonished about the arrowlike flight of the falcons and the high intelligence of the vultures

Reptile Village Zoo
Where: Gowran, Co. Kilkenny

Want to know what a snake really feels like or how a chameleon catches it's prey? Reptile Village Zoo, Ireland's only reptile zoo is the place to be! With over 100 different animals and more than 50 species on display, from Alligators to Tortosie and Toads to Pythons, there is something for everyone.

The Straffan Butterfly farm
Where: Straffan, Co. Kildare

The Straffan Butterfly Exhibition, in County Kildare, aims to introduce people to the existence of the world of butterflies. The idea is to let visitors have a window into this world and enjoy the magic of butterflies as they fly freely all around. In the tropical house, you can walk through a mini jungle with amazing butterflies flying freely all around you. Many of the tropical butterflies breed here so you will be able to observe the entire life cycle of a butterfly

Aillwee Cave & Bird of prey centre
Where: Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare

Explore a cave, watch eagles in flight and sample delicious local food products at Aillwee Cave, Ireland's premier show cave in Ballyvaughan County Clare. Over 3,5000 feet of winding passages are open to the public, with regular guided tours provided. Visitors to this popular County Clare attraction are escorted on a 35 minute stroll through caverns, over bridged chasms, beneath unusual rock formations and ending beside a thunderous waterfall.

Secret Valley Wildlife Park
Where: Enniscorthy, Co Wexford

Fourteen acres of fun-filled adventures await you at Secret Valley Wildlife Park near Clonroche, Co Wexford! From bottle-feeding the hungry kid goats, to riding Snowball the pony, we promise you unforgettable, great value, family fun! Each day is packed with loads of fun events. If you like a challenge, you can join in our adventure hunts or go wild in our large outdoor and new indoor play areas. You can also play crazy golf throughout the day.

Meath Eco Guided Tours
Where: Kells, Co. Meath

Discover the beautiful heritage county of Meath with experienced local guide Kate Flood. Meath Eco Tours offers an engaging and educational experience combined with a relaxing ramble in the great outdoors. Learn about Ireland's flora and fauna, history and folklore with a guided walk through the heritage landscapes of County Meath.

Burren Nature Sanctuary
Where: Kinvara, Co. Galway

The Burren Nature Sanctuary is an interpretive centre for the flora and fauna of the Burren. At the centre there is a nature exhibition and activity learning zone, Burren flower nature walk, disappearing lake walk, indoor soft play and outdoor adventure playground, artisan cafe and farm shop along with a Burren info point with hiking routes to plan your trip around the Burren and locations of rare or unusual plants in flower.

Blue Damsel Discovery
Where: Killeshandra, Co. Cavan

You are invited to look at and listen to, some of the wild creatures. Your guide, Heather Bothwell, lives near Killeshandra. Heather, a keen naturalist all her life, is pleased to introduce anybody to the wildlife locally.