Holidays
Every family needs a holiday and when you’re bringing up children alone you can need the break even more. For many one-parent families a holiday can seem like a dream. But with some forward planning it is possible to find a good-value break that suits your family and your budget. Make sure to check if your tour operator or hotel waive single occupancy supplements. Many now waive this fee and may offer reductions for children travelling with one adult.Useful Websites
Sticky Fingers Travel Ltd is an Irish company dedicated to providing information to parents who wish to travel with their children. They provide independent and unbiased advice on family friendly holidays and accommodation, activities with children and things to do and see so that you can plan the perfect family holiday. Sticky Fingers also has a list of events taking place around Ireland for families. Visit Sticky Fingers Travel website here.
Local County Councils often have planned summer activities for children during July and August so check out your local council website. A list of County Council websites is available here.
Rollercoaster.ie, the pregnancy and parenting website, has listings of all kinds of activities for children right across the country. For details, click here.
Holidaying or day tripping in Ireland
You could team up with another one-parent family or choose a more affordable option such as camping or staying in youth hostels.
http://www.camping-ireland.ie/ gives a list of camping and caravan sites across the country.
http://www.hostels-ireland.com/ gives information on over 100 independent hostels in Ireland. Many hostels have family rooms.
www.selfcatering-ireland.com provides information on over 2,500 private self-catering houses around Ireland. This can be a good option if you want more independence or can share with another family or friends. Check out the attractions in the local area before you book to make sure that there is lots to see and do.
http://www.rollercoaster.ie/Out_About/out_about_contents.asp provides a list of family friendly places to go in Ireland
General information
West of Ireland – Mayo, Roscommon, Galway
Shannon Region – Clare, Limerick, North Tipperary, South Offaly
South West – Cork and Kerry
South East – Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford
East Coast and Midlands – Kildare, Laois, Longford, Louth, Meath, North Offaly, Westmeath, Wicklow
North West – Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo
Dublin
Day trips
Day trips can be a great alternative if time and money put longer trips out of the question. The regional websites listed above have lots of children and family activities to choose from, some at very low cost and some are even free!
We have picked out a number of things to do from each region. Your local library may also run events such as story days that can be great fun on a wet summer’s day.
West of Ireland
- Glendeer Open Farm & Ireland’s Lapland, Athlone Tel: 0906437147 Web: www.glendeer.com Has over 50 species of animals and birds, play area and a picnic area.
- Monkey Business Ltd, Rahoon, Galway City Tel: 091 580956 Children’s play centre, including toddler area. Child €7 and adults go free!
Shannon Region
- Buttercup Farm, Croom, Limerick Tel: 061 397556 Large selection of animals including exotic birds, playground and picnic area.
- Dolphin Watching, Carrigaholt, Clare Tel: 065 9058156 2 hour boat trip to learn about dolphins and other marine life. Adults €24, Children under 3 €6, Children 4–15 €12.
- Lough Gur visitor Centre, Limerick Tel: 061 360788 Tells the story if pre-Celtic settlers to Ireland. Adults €5, Children are free.
South West
- Leahys Fun Farm, Midleton, Cork Tel: 021 4668461 Family farm, go karts, playground, picnic area and boat rides.
- Donkey Sanctuary, Mallow, Cork Tel: 022 48398 Web: http://www.thedonkeysanctuary.ie/visit The sanctuary has rescued over 2,850 donkeys, picnic area. Free.
- Oceanworld Aquarium, Dingle, Kerry Tel: 066 9152111
South East
- Kilkenny Castle Tel: 056 53116
- Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig, Wexford Tel: 053 9120733. Children under 4 go free.
- Glendalough Visitor Centre, Wicklow Tel: 0404 45352 Exhibition and audio visual show, walks, picnic area. Adult €3, child €1.
- Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre, Meath Tel: 041 9880300 Exhibition and access to the Neolithic monuments of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth.
East Coast and Midlands
- Straffan Butterfly Farm, Kildare. Live tropical butterfly exhibition.
- Clonmacnoise and West Offaly Railway, Shannonbridge, Offaly Tel: 090 9674450. Travel by rail for 9km in a specially designed rail coach into the heart of Blackwater Bog.
North West
- Cairn Visitor Centre, Inishowen, Donegal Tel: 074 9381104 Exhibition on Celts, Vikings and lost more.
- Swan Island, Ballinamore, Leitrim Tel: 049 4333065 Over 50 species of animals, playground, picnic area and marina.
- Gillighan’s World, Tubbercurry, Sligo Tel: 071 9130286 Botanical gardens with ‘fairie inhabitants’ and a ‘fairie fort’. Quizzes and competitions for children.
Dublin
- Dublin Zoo Tel: 01 474 8900 Children under 3 free.
- Dublinia Tel: 01 6794611 Exhibition about Viking Dublin. Adult €6.95, child €4.95
- National History Museum Tel: 01 6777444. Exhibitions on prehistoric, Viking and Medieval Ireland.
Holidaying abroad
Here are some general guidelines to prepare you for travel abroad.
Before you travel
Check out if you need a visa to travel to your destination. Your travel agent should be able to tell you about local currencies and time differences.
Passports
With the exception of travel to the UK, Irish Citizens need a valid passport to travel to all other destinations.
Passports for children
Children under 3 can apply for a 3-year passport, and children between 3-17 can apply for a 5-year passport. The parental consent section of the passport form must be signed by both parents or guardians each time a new child’s passport is issues.
If you are the sole legal guardian of a child you do not have to get the second parent’s consent to get a passport for your child or to travel abroad on holiday. However, you will have to sign an affidavit stating that you are the sole legal guardian. If you are not in touch with your child’s other parent, or that parent refuses to give their consent, you can apply for a Court Order, which allows the Passport Office to issue the passport without consent.
Health
A European Heath Insurance Card, available from your local HSE, will allow you to receive emergency medical treatment on the same basis as nationals in any EU country. Make a record of any medical conditions or allergies in case of emergencies. Chose sun protection products specially designed for children. Keep small babies out of the sun completely and ensure older children wear hats with neck flaps to protect head and neck.
Insurance
Getting travel insurance is very important as the full cost of medical treatment may not be covered by the Insurance Card. Insurance can also cover many situations such as cancellation, loss of luggage, and lost or stolen money or belongings. You don’t have to buy insurance from the travel agent where you purchase your holiday. It pays to shop around for a good deal.
Driving abroad
If you are intending to drive abroad make sure you bring your valid Irish Driving License with you. Some countries outside the EU may require you to hold an International Driving License. The embassy of the country can tell you of any requirements before you depart. Always make sure you are properly insured for driving while overseas.
* Please note that the listings are not a recommendation. One Family cannot accept responsibility for the services provided by the organisations listed.
