Great Cork family friendly places to visit

WHICHEVER corner of the county you live in, Cork offers an abundance of choice that promises to captivate children and adults alike.

There are many ways families can immerse themselves in Cork’s charm, from playgrounds to museums, cafés to shops. Not only do these family-friendly visits and purchases promise an unforgettable experience, they also the local businesses and communities that are the heartbeat of our spirited county.

STAY

Celtic Ross Hotel and Leisure Centre is located just over a hour from Cork city on the Wild Atlantic Way in Rosscarbery, West Cork.

This family friendly hotel is on the doorstep of some of Cork’s most beautiful beaches, historic gems, and delicious locally sourced food. Rosscarbery has so much to offer with fairy forests, playgrounds, water sports and crazy golf all close by.

PLAY

Cork is well known for its fantastic selection of public playgrounds. We asked our community of families to share some of their top recommendations from around the county.

Fitzgerald’s Park and Murphy’s Farm, Bishopstown, came out as city and suburb favourites. East Cork choices included Glounthaune, Ballycotton, Little Island, Whitegate and Garryvoe, while in West Cork it was Ballinspittle, Clonakilty, Innishannon and Bandon that hit the top.

North Cork Families had high praise for Mallow Castle Playground, with the added bonus of a walk in the gardens to extend your visit.

WALK

Fota House & Gardens is a haven of fun for all ages. Whether it’s pushing a buggy around the many paths and gardens, watching older children marvel at The Little Explorers Tree Trail, or participating in the Junior Plant Hunter Trail. Entrance to the Gardens is free, with a €3 parking charge when you exit Fota.

Looking to make it even more of a day out? Why not get the train from Cobh or the City, and add on a visit to Fota Wildlife Park which is right next door.

INDOORS

We can’t always count on the weather, so an indoor option that is exciting and adventure-filled is always going to be a winner. The Treehouse in Skibbereen is just that! An indoor soft play centre for children, with a relaxing space for parents and other grown-ups to meet and unwind.

Their on-site café serves delicious lunches, coffee and plenty of snacks and kids’ meals. They also have weekly classes such as Baby Sensory, Teddy Bears Picnic and Gymboree with monthly clothes swaps and special occasion events, making it a wonderful option for local and visiting families alike.

EAT

Brunch by the sea? Yes please! The Brunch Box is a ‘from scratch’ food truck close to Youghal Eco Boardwalk and Claycastle Blue Flag Beach. They place an emphasis on local produce sourced from small artisan suppliers, serving everything from Nutella pancakes, classic eggs Benedict and Royale and a selection of mouth-watering sourdough toasties.

READ

Many towns in Cork have access to a fantastic range of books in their local libraries. Kinsale has seen a recent upsurge in popularity with the opening of their new library at the Old Mill. 

With Author Visits, Children’s Book Festival Events, Story Time and lots more, it’s not hard to see why it has been warmly welcomed by locals and visitors.

FARM

In the beautiful East Cork countryside, 4km from the village of Dungourney, is Leahy’s Open Farm, a fun farm and museum that shows all aspects of rural life. There is a wide range of animals to meet kids and adults, including alpacas, donkeys, rabbits and a snake, as well as the more traditional sheep, goats and horses. There is petting time where you get the chance to meet and feed some of them.

Not to forget the ever popular digger park, where kids (and big kids) can try their hand at operating a real digger! Chocolate Factory and Ice-cream, coffee shop and lunch, it’s the ideal day out for families.

CITY

Nano Nagle Place is an unexpected oasis in the centre of Cork city, a place that celebrates Nano Nagle’s vision of empowerment through education, community inclusion and spiritual engagement for a contemporary world. 

The complex houses a museum, heritage rooms, gardens, the wonderful Good Day Deli, both a design and gift shop, and a Cork focused book shop in the museum.

LEARN

Ireland’s only Model Village in Clonakilty is a fully scaled hand-made model of the historic West Cork Railway Line with fully working miniature trains. Handcrafted model buildings and figurines tell the story of how people lived and worked in days gone by.

Watch children delight in following the miniature trains through West Cork, steering the remote control boats, trying out the mini diggers and playing in the indoor and outdoor play areas. 

You can also take a spin on the iconic Road Train through the beautiful town.

GIFT

Looking for a gift that is child-friendly and local? Holly and Bo have just the answer. They create a charming collection of children’s wooden furniture, balance bikes, trikes and traditional wooden toys. Their focus is on providing high-quality, safe, and thoughtfully designed products ideal for children aged 2-6.

Check out the Family Edit website at www.thefamilyedit.ie and on Instagram at @thefamilyedit