12 fun things to do with the family this Easter in Cork, Limerick, Dublin and more
(age With 3) Bolger Cosgrove At Picture: And Dublin 5) Kate The Patrick (age Mcdonagh Zoo Tadgh Rabbit Photography Jaspar
Willy Wonka and Jurassic Park come together this Easter at Newpark Hotel Kilkenny. With sweet-themed Easter egg hunts, an enchanted fairy village trail, a petting farm and a dino trail, there is plenty to see and do during a visit to the four-star hotel.
Taking place from Saturday, March 23 to Sunday, April 7, ‘Wonka in Jurassic’ offers the chance to decorate chocolate treats with the help of both Wonka himself and the Easter bunny. Oompa Loompas, face-painting and more fun and games are also promised at the unique experience.
- Guests at the Newpark Hotel go for free with no advance booking required. For more information, see www.newparkhotelkilkenny.com
The annual Easter egg hunt at the Marina Market gets underway on Saturday, March 31 from 1pm to 3pm. Tuck into chocolate treats after finding all of the clues in the market’s hay maze. With a variety of food stalls and vendors, the Marina Market has plenty to keep the entire family busy for the afternoon — plus, it’s dog-friendly too.
Dublin Zoo has created a schedule of egg-citing activities this Easter weekend, with something for all ages to enjoy on Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 from 11am to 4pm.
A live DJ will perform at the Great Lawn where there will be dancing and entertainment as well as fun and games for the whole family. Meanwhile, there will be talks themed around the resident bunnies at Family Farm as well as arts and crafts, face painting, an Easter egg hunt — and of course, a visit from the Easter bunny.
- Book tickets at www.dublinzoo.ie
Arnotts has announced a line-up of Easter activities that are designed to entertain the whole family. Taking place daily over the Easter holidays, “Holibops” has a host of daily activities including colouring stations, a Lego Easter play table and a Marvin Magic show. On March 28 and 29, Cam the Cat Squishmallow will also be in attendance for a meet and greet.
On April 6, all of the family are encouraged to come along for a Board Games Day which will feature classic favourites like Monopoly, Connect 4 and more.
The Eater bunny is returning to Limerick and Dublin this year. Hop down to Jetland Shopping Centre in Limerick or the ILAC shopping centre in Dublin to meet the Easter bunny in his home.
Each visit includes a meet and greet, a photoshoot and a chocolate egg for each child.
- €9 per child, €5 for infants (under 12 months). Adults go free. Early booking is advised. See easterbunny.ie
Teidí Tours are back at the GAA Museum in Croke Park. With a bear-making workshop and a guided tour of the stadium, this family day out is suited to younger children and offers the chance to walk pitch-side and learn more about the GAA. Little ones can even test their own hurling and football skills in the interactive games zone.
The workshop in Cú Chulainn’s Den involves selecting, stuffing, naming and designing a fluffy friend of your choice. For Easter, bunny rabbits and chicks will also be available to choose from.
- Visit crokepark.ie/teidi-tours for more information or to book tickets.
Leahy’s Hop Along Easter event will take place from Thursday, March 28 until Monday, April 1. On arrival at the farm, children will receive a map and questionnaire and will have to get to work on finding all the Easter eggs. Those who complete the questionnaire will also be entered into a draw to win a free return trip to Leahy’s Open Farm. Promised to be fun for young and old, there will also be an egg and spoon race for parents.
- Tickets from €17.30 for adults and €20.50 children leahysopenfarm.ie
If you’re looking for a break from Easter eggs, Cork City’s Metropole Hotel will host a chocolate afternoon tea. The selection of chocolate infused treats is suitable for both adults and children and will be available from Saturday, March 23 until Friday, May 31. For those without a sweet tooth, choose from a selection of Irish sandwiches and a Rosscarbery black pudding and Cashel blue cheese tartlet.
The afternoon tea — which also includes an indulgent hot chocolate – is served from 12.30pm to 4pm.
- Booking online is advised. See www.themetropolehotel.ie
This Good Friday (March 29) the Easter Egg Challenge will take place at the Old Cork Waterworks Experience with all proceeds to be donated to local primary schools in the Bishopstown Lions Club area. The event promises an exciting Easter egg hunt as well as plenty of family-friendly fun such as a bouncy castle, face painting and more.
- Tickets available at www.eventbrite.ie
The grounds of Ballygarry Estate in Tralee Co Kerry will be transformed into a wonderland filled with surprises on Sunday, March 31. With all proceeds going to Barnardos, there will be plenty of other Easter-themed activities to keep everyone entertained – including a visit from the Easter bunny.
- Tickets from €14.38, see www.eventbrite.ie
Easter fun is coming to the world’s oldest original operating lighthouse. This spring, Hook Lighthouse will host an array of family fun events with Pirate Pat and co. On Sunday, March 31 and Monday, April 1, enjoy an Easter egg hunt, a Pirate Treasure Quest and plenty of games. The Hook Lighthouse resident Artist Rose will also hold an Easter art and craft workshops during the school holidays from 11am daily.
- For more information, see hookheritage.ie
The Easter bunny will also be making an appearance at Luggwoods forest in Dublin, which will be home to a magical Easter spring trail. Fairy tale characters will be on hand to help little ones crack the code and solve the Easter egg puzzle. With a mini petting farm and much more, there is plenty to discover at Luggwoods this Easter.
- Tickets from €14.50 for adults and €19.50 for children. Babies go free. luggwoodsevents.com