Sometimes it is hard to hit on the holiday that keeps everyone in the family happy. Hit the bullseye by whisking everyone off to one of Ireland top-class outdoor adventure centres, where the whole family can climb, jump, splash and whizz around together, with picturesque Irish land- and seascapes as your backdrop. Kids love learning new skills, so have fun together while tackling some of the challenges on offer, breathing in the fabulous fresh spring air and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

1. Tayto Park, Co. Meath

In June, Tayto Park will be launching Europe’s largest inverted wooden roller coaster and the only one of its kind in Europe. If rollercoasters aren’t your thing, the park still has rock climbing, zip-lining, a 5-D cinema, plus just about all of the animals we can name.

Did we mention the Tayto? Because it has tonnes of the stuff, they’ll even show you how they make it. While you’re in the area, you might as well unleash some of the Celt in you by checking out the Hill of Tara, Newgrange, or the Bru na Broinne.

2. Castlecomer Discovery Park, Co.Kilkenny

Based in the stunning 80 acre woodland of Castlecomer, the Discovery Park has scenic walking trails, lakes, boating, fishing, high-ropes adventure activities, a fascinating multi-media coal mining museum, orienteering trails, and design craft workshops - perfect for all the family. When you’re wrecked from all that activitying (that’s a word now), you can take a break and relax in the award winning café on site, then head into the city to visit Kilkenny Castle, one of Ireland’s oldest standing castles.

Here’s a tip, base your trip around one of the many festivals (we love the Rhythm and Roots, and the Cat Laughs) and you can make a weekend out it.

3. Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

If your family likes beautiful views, amazing wildlife and historical buildings, this could be the place for you and the kids. Who are we kidding, who doesn’t like all of that?

Lough Key has it all, from zip lining to nature walks, or from archery to adventure centres, from one interesting activity to another equally amazing one. Seriously, the place has everything, probably more than you could fit in one day.

And if you did somehow get through it in one day, you could always make the short trip down to Carrick on Shannon for an electric bike trail.www.electricbiketrails.com

4. Bay Sports Boat Training and Watersports Centre, Athlone, Co. Westmeath

Ireland’s largest inflatable waterpark is far too good to be left off any list. Best movies ever, it should be in there. Greatest inventions of the 21st century, you know what’d get our vote. Not believe us? Have a look then.

Told you so, and with Athlone Castle and the Kilbeggan Distillery nearby, there’s plenty on offer here to keep the family occupied for the day. And with Athlone Castle and the Kilbeggan Distillery nearby, there’s plenty on offer here to keep you and the family occupied for the day.

 
5. Carlingford Adventure Centre, Co. Louth

Somewhat of a hidden gem (well, we hadn’t heard of it), this adventure centre has just about everything you could hope for. Ziplining, mini-zorbing and full sized (basically no matter how much zorb you want, they have you covered), and laser combat.

Yeah, lasers!! We’re in.

Oh, and it has canoeing, abseiling, archery, rock climbing, and trampolines on the water.

Did we mention the lasers?

6. The Oysterhaven, Kinsale, Co. Cork

Time to talk about the only adventure centre on our list that’s based in Munster, and more specifically, Co. Cork. Oysterhaven is perfect for schools and youth groups, as well as summer camps, and corporate team building trips.

With holiday cottages on site, you can make a weekend out of your trip, because let’s be honest, one day of sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking is never going to be enough. Plus, it’d give you the chance to have a look around the beautiful surroundings of Kinsale.
 

7. Tanagh Outdoor Adventure Centre, Co. Cavan

Perfect for day trips, or a weekend away, you and your family can immerse yourself in all of the activities, but be warned, this isn’t for the half-hearted.

Mud slides, raft building, mountain biking, electronic orienteering, white water kayaking, and rock climbing are only the start of the things in store for you, so we’d suggest bringing a few protein bars, you’ll probably need them.


 

8. Delphi Adventure Resort, Leenane, Connemara, Co. Galway

Definitely one of the more famous places on this list, sure who hasn’t been there on a school trip, or with a youth group at some point?

We’re talking proper WHHHEESST here lads, seriously outdoorsy. But what’s great about this is place is, if you don’t fancy going out and getting all sweaty, you can stay back and go to the spa at the adventure resort. That’s where you’d find most of us to be honest, either that or going for a stroll around Kylemore Abbey, or the Connemara Heritage and History Centre.

9. Gravity Xtreme Adventure at Forest Park, Courtown, Co. Wexford

GAH!! Heights!

There, that’s your warning.

For those of you who are unlike us and can stand heights, this place will give you the opportunity to go aerial trekking 15 metres above the ground, ride the zip wire 210 metres long with a forest landing, scale the climbing wall or jump the leap of faith.

And sure look, if you’re really put off by the heights, you can always avail of the laser tag, archery, swimming pool, or even head over to the Glenavon Japanese Garden or Marlfield House. They’re up there with some of the most beautiful things we’ve seen in this country, especially when it comes to flowers and the like.
Situated nearby in Courtown Harbour is the Irish Seal Sanctuary which is well worth a visit to see seal pups in various stages of their rehabilitation from kennels to pools. Feeding can be viewed at 4pm daily - the kids will love it!
 

10. Kippure Adenture Centre, Co. Wicklow

This is one of our favourite adventure centres. Not only is it situated just outside of Dublin, which makes it handy for business retreats and corporate team building and the like, but there’s a heap of things to do there. Like most adventure centres, it has your regular walking, climbing, abseiling fun, but there’s bushcraft survival on site, as well as paintballing and clay shooting.

We’re not experts in outdoor activities, but if we were ever stuck in a Bear Grylls type scenario, we’d rather the tent and the gun than knowledge of what droppings you can eat or drink. For that alone, this is worth it.