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Family outings

Family outings in Dublin

Dublin is lived outdoors, even in a shower: Europe's largest enclosed park with its deer, free national museums, the sea at the end of the DART line and castles an hour away. The French community adds a library, FLAM workshops and French camps at every school holiday. Here are our addresses, all checked on official websites.

Verified on 30 October 2026

Parks, playgrounds and farms

There is always a park ten minutes away, and almost always a fenced playground inside it. Phoenix Park to the west, the Victorian parks of the centre, the coast to the north and south: greenery is Dublin's great free luxury.

Good to know

  • Phoenix Park is one of the largest enclosed parks of any European capital: open 24 hours through its main gates, it is home to a herd of wild fallow deer, the zoo, the Victorian gardens and a playground at the visitor centre (the People's Gardens one is partly closed for works). Barbecues and drones are banned. Source
  • St Stephen's Green, 9 hectares in the heart of the shopping district, has kept its Victorian layout: a popular playground, a duck lake, a waterfall and free lunchtime concerts in summer; dogs are banned from the playground and around the lake. Source
  • Marlay Park, 300 acres at the foot of the Dublin Mountains in Rathfarnham, lines up playgrounds, a BMX track, miniature railways, sports pitches and a market; bus 16 gets you there from the centre. Source
  • Dublin City Council parks lock their gates in the evening, half an hour before the posted time for the largest; Airfield Estate, in Dundrum, is a 38-acre working farm where the daily activities are included in the ticket. Source

Addresses

  • Phoenix Park

    Park

    Parkgate Street, Dublin 8

    Free-roaming deer, the visitor centre playground, Victorian gardens, the zoo and miles of tracks for children's bikes; main gates open day and night.

    Website Source

  • Dublin Zoo

    Park

    Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

    More than 400 animals of 70 species in Phoenix Park, run by a conservation charity; paid entry, special events at Halloween (Boo at the Zoo) and in winter (Wild Lights).

    Website Source

  • St Stephen's Green

    Park

    St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2

    The Victorian park of the centre: playground, duck lake, waterfall and free lunchtime concerts in summer; at the end of Grafton Street and the green Luas line.

    Website Source

  • Herbert Park

    Park

    Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

    The family park of Dublin 4: playground, duck pond, tennis, football pitches and yoga or dance classes at The Hive.

    Website Source

  • St Anne's Park

    Park

    Raheny et Clontarf, Dublin 5

    The big park of the north coast, between Raheny and Clontarf: rose garden, woods, playgrounds and Dollymount beach across the road; by DART to Raheny or Harmonstown.

    Website Source

  • Marlay Park

    Park

    Grange Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16

    A 300-acre historic demesne: playgrounds, BMX track, miniature railways, weekend market and the start of the Dublin Mountains trails.

    Website Source

  • Airfield Estate

    Park

    Overend Way, Dundrum, Dublin 14

    A 38-acre urban farm in Dundrum: cows, milking and milk tasting at weekends, gardens and a restaurant; paid entry, activities included.

    Website Source

  • Killiney Hill Park et People's Park de Dún Laoghaire

    Park

    Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

    The parks of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county: the bay view from Killiney Hill, People's Park and its Sunday market near the pier, Cabinteely Park for south-side families.

    Website Source

Go further

Free museums and children's museums

Ireland's national museums are free, and Dublin has a cultural centre entirely dedicated to children, The Ark. Two addresses are under works or closed in 2026: the Merrion Street Natural History Museum and the Chester Beatty, which you can enjoy in other ways.

Good to know

  • The National Museum of Ireland is free: archaeology on Kildare Street (prehistoric gold, Vikings, bog bodies), decorative arts and history at Collins Barracks. The Merrion Street Natural History Museum, the 'Dead Zoo', is closed for refurbishment; a selection of specimens is on free display at the Dead Zoo Lab in Collins Barracks. Source
  • The Ark, in Temple Bar, is Ireland's only cultural centre designed for children: theatre, workshops and exhibitions by age group, with festive shows from age 4 and a programme during every school holiday. Source
  • The Chester Beatty, the museum of manuscripts and Asian arts in the Dublin Castle gardens, is closed to the public from 15 June to the end of December 2026 for Ireland's EU Presidency; its workshops move to city libraries and parks in the meantime. Source
  • During mid-terms and holidays, museums multiply workshops and trails for families; the most popular are booked online a few days ahead.

Addresses

  • National Museum of Ireland, Archaeology

    Museum

    Kildare Street, Dublin 2

    Prehistoric gold, Vikings and bog bodies, free, opposite Parliament and next to the Alliance française.

    Website Source

  • Dead Zoo Lab, National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks

    Museum

    Benburb Street, Dublin 7

    The Natural History Museum's specimens, on free display at Collins Barracks while Merrion Street is being refurbished; booking for groups only.

    Website Source

  • National Gallery of Ireland

    Museum

    Merrion Square West, Dublin 2

    Irish and European painting, free, a stone's throw from Merrion Square and its playground; family workshops and trails at weekends.

    Website Source

  • EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum

    Museum

    CHQ Building, Custom House Quay, Dublin 1

    Twenty interactive galleries on Irish emigration in the Docklands, to touch and listen to; paid, combined ticket possible with the Jeanie Johnston famine ship.

    Website Source

  • Dublinia

    Museum

    St Michael's Hill, Christchurch, Dublin 8

    Viking and medieval Dublin recreated at Christchurch, with a tower to climb and Viking bead workshops for children; open daily 10am to 5pm, paid.

    Website Source

  • The Ark

    Museum

    Eustace Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2

    The children's cultural centre: theatre, art workshops and exhibitions by age, Christmas shows from age 7 and Halloween discos from age 4.

    Website Source

  • Chester Beatty

    Museum

    Dublin Castle, Dublin 2

    Manuscripts, prints and Asian arts, free, with family workshops at weekends; closed from 15 June to the end of December 2026, reopening announced for 2027.

    Website Source

  • Kilmainham Gaol Museum

    Museum

    Inchicore Road, Kilmainham, Dublin 8

    The former prison of the independence leaders, on a 90-minute guided tour, partly outdoors; for older children, booking essential.

    Website Source

Libraries and the French médiathèque

Public libraries are free and welcome children with story times and events at every holiday. For French, the Alliance française library on Kildare Street is the largest in Ireland.

Good to know

  • The Médiathèque française of the Alliance française de Dublin is the largest French-language library in Ireland: books, comics, press, CDs, DVDs and audiobooks. Browsing is open to all; borrowing and access to Culturethèque are for members. Source
  • The library runs Saturday Workshops with family film screenings, a monthly conversation workshop and readings of new acquisitions; it is part of the European Libraries Dublin network. Source
  • Culturethèque, the Institut français digital library, gives members tens of thousands of French books, comics, newspapers, films and audiobooks, readable on a tablet from Dublin. Source
  • The public libraries of Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown and South Dublin are free; each network publishes its children's events calendar (story times, workshops) to book online. Source

Addresses

  • Médiathèque française, Alliance française de Dublin

    Library

    1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

    The heart of French reading in Dublin, in a listed building opposite Parliament: children's area, Saturday Workshops and Culturethèque access for members.

    Website Source

  • Culturethèque

    Library

    The Institut français digital library, included in Alliance française membership: children's books, comics, press and films in French.

    Website Source

  • Dublin City Libraries

    Library

    Réseau de la ville de Dublin

    The free city network: local branches (Pembroke, Rathmines, Raheny, Cabra...), children's events to book online.

    Website Source

  • dlr Libraries

    Library

    Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown

    The south county libraries, including the large dlr Lexicon on Dún Laoghaire harbour, with a children's area and bay views.

    Website Source

  • South Dublin Libraries

    Library

    Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan et alentours

    The South Dublin county network, for families settled around Tallaght, Clondalkin or Lucan.

    Website Source

Activities, clubs and workshops in French

Keeping French alive when school is Irish, or simply finding French-speaking friends: Dublin has its FLAM workshops, the Alliance française classes and camps, a Mass in French and a community that gathers around its children.

Good to know

  • FLAM Dublin, a non-profit association, runs cultural and artistic workshops in French for children aged 0 to 16 who are not at the Lycée français; it belongs to the FLAM (French as a mother tongue) scheme supported by the AEFE. Source
  • The Alliance française de Dublin teaches French to ages 2 to 18 following the Irish school calendar, and replaces classes with fun camps at every holiday (ages 3 to 5, 6 to 9, 10 to 12 and teens), in groups of ten at most. Source
  • The French-speaking Catholic community (ACFM Dublin) celebrates Mass in French twice a month at 12:30 at St Mary's church on Haddington Road, Dublin 4. Source
  • For Irish sport, GAA clubs (Gaelic football, hurling, camogie) welcome children in every neighbourhood, and Scouting Ireland has a group near you: two good ways to make local friends. Source

Addresses

  • FLAM Dublin

    Activity

    Dublin

    French-as-a-mother-tongue workshops for ages 0 to 16: language, culture and creative activities around French, in a French-speaking community spirit.

    Website Source

  • French Minded

    Activity

    Dublin

    French classes and workshops for French-speaking children in Dublin, within the FLAM scheme.

    Website Source

  • Alliance française de Dublin, programmes pour mineurs

    Activity

    1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

    French classes for ages 2 to 18 in small groups, youth cultural events and official diplomas for children and teenagers.

    Website Source

  • Camps de vacances de l'Alliance française

    Activity

    1 Kildare Street, Dublin 2

    At every school holiday, a week of stories, songs, library workshops and museum visits in French, by age group from age 3; teenagers also prepare for the Junior and Leaving Certificate.

    Website Source

  • Messe en français à Dublin (ACFM Dublin)

    Activity

    St Mary's Church, Haddington Road, Dublin 4

    Mass in French twice a month at 12:30, with the Amitiés catholiques françaises dans le monde community.

    Website Source

  • Dublin Accueil, activités en famille

    Activity

    Dublin

    Mum-and-baby meetups (walks, reading for toddlers, music), family gatherings, the Friday hike and cultural outings among French speakers.

    Website Source

  • Scouting Ireland

    Activity

    Groupes dans tout Dublin

    One of Ireland's largest youth organisations, since 1908: scout groups in every neighbourhood, in English, with camps and nature weekends.

    Website Source

  • Clubs de la GAA

    Activity

    Clubs dans tout Dublin

    Gaelic football, hurling and camogie: the local GAA club is the heart of Irish community life and welcomes children from a young age.

    Website Source

Through the seasons and festivities

The Dublin year has its rituals: St Patrick's in March, Bloomsday in June, the Dublin Horse Show in August, Halloween celebrated like nowhere else (Ireland claims to be its birthplace) and the zoo lights in winter. The October and February mid-terms set the family calendar.

Good to know

  • Spring: the St Patrick's Festival runs from 13 to 17 March 2027 across the centre, with the big parade on the national holiday (full programme published in January); Easter brings two weeks of holidays and egg hunts in the historic estates. Source
  • Summer: Bloomsday celebrates Joyce around 16 June in Edwardian costume, the Gallagher Dublin Horse Show takes over the RDS in Ballsbridge in early August with a Kids Zone included in the family ticket, and Culture Night opens museums and cultural venues for free one evening in September. Source
  • Autumn: the Dublin Marathon is run on the Sunday of the October bank holiday weekend (24 October 2027), then Halloween takes over the city: the Bram Stoker Festival with its night parade and family events in St Patrick's Park, Boo at the Zoo, and the Púca Festival in Trim, an hour's drive away. Source
  • Winter: Wild Lights illuminates Dublin Zoo from 12 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, Christmas markets and lights fill the city centre, and the New Year's Festival Dublin celebrates the arrival of 2027 over three days. Source

Addresses

  • St Patrick's Festival

    Activity

    Centre de Dublin

    Five days of national celebration from 13 to 17 March 2027: parade, street shows and a Dublin City Council treasure hunt for families; arrive early on the 17th with a pushchair.

    Website Source

  • Bloomsday Festival

    Activity

    Dublin, autour du 16 juin

    Ireland's most singular literary celebration, around 16 June: readings, period costumes and Joycean breakfasts across the city.

    Website Source

  • Gallagher Dublin Horse Show

    Activity

    RDS, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

    The country's great equestrian event for more than 150 years, 4 to 8 August 2027 at the RDS: competitions, family entertainment and a Kids Zone included in the family ticket.

    Website Source

  • Culture Night

    Activity

    Toute l'Irlande

    One evening in September, museums, libraries and cultural venues open late and for free with special events, in Dublin and across the island.

    Website Source

  • Bram Stoker Festival

    Activity

    Dublin, week-end d'Halloween

    Dublin City Council's Halloween festival: the Macnas night parade in the north inner city, family events in St Patrick's Park and a gothic programme for grown-ups.

    Website Source

  • Púca Festival

    Activity

    Trim et Athboy, Co. Meath

    Four Samhain nights around Trim Castle: projections on the walls, fire, music and folklore, with Ireland presenting itself as the home of Halloween.

    Website Source

  • Wild Lights au zoo de Dublin

    Activity

    Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8

    Ireland's largest festival of lights, from 12 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, in the evening at the zoo; tickets to book online.

    Website Source

  • New Year's Festival Dublin

    Activity

    Centre de Dublin

    Three days of citywide festivities to ring in 2027, with daytime events designed for families before the countdown.

    Website Source

Go further

Trips under two hours away

The DART runs along the bay from Howth to Bray, the Wicklow Mountains start an hour's drive away and the prehistoric Boyne valley is forty-five minutes off. With children travelling free until age 9, the weekend is decided on Saturday morning.

Good to know

  • Howth, at the end of the northern DART line: the cliff path loop starts at the station, climbs to the Summit and returns through the village and its fishing harbour; allow 6 km and about two hours with walking children. Source
  • To the south, the cliff walk between Bray and Greystones (6.3 km, return by DART) is temporarily closed after landslides: settle for Bray beach and promenade, or climb Bray Head. Source
  • In County Meath, Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange and Knowth) can only be visited on a guided tour from the visitor centre, with booking essential for everyone, babies included; the Emerald Park theme park and Causey Farm are under an hour away. Source
  • Glendalough, in the Wicklow Mountains, combines monastic ruins, two lakes and marked trails; the visitor centre is pushchair-friendly and the parking ticket includes one admission. Belfast and its Titanic Belfast are a little over two hours by train from Connolly. Source

Addresses

  • Howth Cliff Path Loop

    Howth, Co. Dublin (DART)

    The bay's iconic family hike, 6 km from the DART station with views of Ireland's Eye and Lambay; ice cream at the harbour as a reward.

    Website Source

  • Malahide Castle and Gardens

    Malahide, Co. Dublin (DART)

    Home of the Talbots for 800 years, botanical gardens, butterfly house and fairy trail in the woods: the perfect outing for 3 to 8-year-olds, by DART from the centre.

    Website Source

  • Newbridge House and Farm

    Donabate, Co. Dublin

    Georgian mansion, 30-acre farm with its animals, walled garden and large parkland at Donabate, north of Dublin.

    Website Source

  • Glendalough

    Glendalough, Co. Wicklow

    The monastic city and its two lakes in the Wicklow Mountains: round tower, trails around the upper lake and an accessible visitor centre; about an hour's drive.

    Website Source

  • Powerscourt Estate

    Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow

    Ireland's most famous gardens and the country's highest waterfall, at Enniskerry, half an hour from south Dublin.

    Website Source

  • Emerald Park

    Ashbourne, Co. Meath

    Ireland's only theme park, with more than 45 rides and a zoo, at Ashbourne, half an hour north of Dublin.

    Website Source

  • Brú na Bóinne, Newgrange et Knowth

    Donore, Co. Meath

    The Neolithic passage tombs, older than the pyramids, a World Heritage site; shuttle and guided tour from the visitor centre, booking compulsory for everyone.

    Website Source

  • Titanic Belfast

    Titanic Quarter, Belfast

    The Titanic museum on the shipyard where it was built, with a children's audio guide; a little over two hours by train from Connolly, remember pounds sterling.

    Website Source

Go further

A place has closed, something has changed? Tell us: the mums of Dublin will thank you.

Sources for this page

The public pages these landmarks come from. The official website always prevails.

  1. 1 Phoenix Park (Office of Public Works)
  2. 2 National Museum of Ireland, Dead Zoo Lab
  3. 3 Alliance française de Dublin, la Médiathèque
  4. 4 FLAM Dublin
  5. 5 St Patrick's Festival
  6. 6 Heritage Ireland, Glendalough
  7. 7 Sport Ireland, Howth Cliff Path Loop

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