Ireland can be outrageously expensive at times especially when it comes to entertaining the kids over the midterm break.
If you're looking for some pocket-friendly days out for the whole family to enjoy this midterm break, here are some to consider:
Travel back in time.
Enjoy an educational experience and ignite a love of history with a visit to one of the many free museums Ireland has to offer. Our favourites include The Dead Zoo, The Hunt Museum in Limerick, The Round Tower Clondalkin, the Coal Mining Museum at Castlecomer, Galway City Museum and Foynes Flying Boat Museum.
Go to your local library.
Not only is a day at the library a wonderful way of introducing little ones to a world of books, most if not all libraries host regular family events and workshops completely free of charge. Check out your local libraries events guide and discover what's happening in the coming days and weeks, you may be pleasantly surprised.
Visit an animal sanctuary.
Over the midterm break why not teach your tiny humans the importance of helping others by visiting an animal sanctuary or an animal rescue centre. In recent years The Donkey Sanctuary located in Liscarrol has rescued over 5,600 neglected donkeys while Seal Rescue Ireland rescue, rehabilitate injured seals and lost pups at their Courtown sanctuary. Both sanctuaries open to the public daily and offer free guided tours for a small donation to help with the running of the centres.
Explore a castle.
With options like Malahide Castle, Trim Castle and Ardgillan Castle waiting to be explored, you will never be short on action-packed adventures to keep the little ones occupied over the midterm. And most, if not all of these offer woodland walks, fairy trails and unforgettable playgrounds a stone throw away.
Catch a free movie.
The Irish Film Institute play free movies at lunchtime from their IFI Irish Film Archive every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, however, booking in advance is strongly advised. On the last Sunday of every month at they also host a family film alongside occasional special events.
Visit a heritage site.
As of last year, the Office of Public Works made days out more accessible for lower-income families by banishing entrance fees for children under the age of twelve on most of their heritage sites. Farmleigh, Kilmainham Gaol, Emo Court, Sligo Abbey and The Rock of Cashel are now free fun days out and all worth a visit whatever the weather.
Find a fairy trail.
Open a world of make-believe this midterm break with an enchanting walk through one of the many fairy forests across Ireland including Erica's Fairy Forest at Halton's Amenity in Cootehill, the Elf and Fairy Village in Castlecomer, Terra Nova Fairy Garden in Limerick, Bunratty Castle Fairy Village and the Marley Park fairy tree.
Try geocaching.
Warning, this is highly addictive. Geocaching is a real-life treasure hunt game using GPS suitable for people of all ages. Using a free-to-download app from iTunes and Play Store, discover what's hiding in the bushes in hundreds of forests, parks and nature trails around the country.
How will you be spending the midterm break?