Local

The Westport Woods Hotel & Spa is an ideal destination for families. The hotel's popular go!kids! club runs during holiday times in the mornings and evenings, leaving the afternoons free for family time.

Right behind the hotel is Westport House and Country Park, one of Ireland's biggest day visitor attractions for families. The stately home itself is open to visitors and there are a host of other attractions including a mini-train, kiddie rides and slides, swan pedalos, ghostly dungeons and a small zoo.

Westport town has some lovely short walks, bicycle hire, a cinema and a playground behind the Tourist Office. Kids also enjoy Pikapot and Paint as an indoor activity and a spot of fishing in the Mall River.

Go South

South along the coast are Blue Flag beaches at Murrisk and Old Head which are safe family destinations. Croagh Patrick is a rigorous climb for teens and fitter parents! Driving on through the attractive town of Louisburgh brings you through the amazing scenery of the Doo Lough Valley and on to Aasleagh Falls and the pretty village of Leenane known as the location for the blockbuster film ‘The Field'. Leenane has lunch spots and lovely picnicking areas. It's also home to the Wool & Sheep Museum.

On the Clifden road, just a couple of minutes from Leenane is Killary Cruises, a 90 minute trip up Killary Fjord on a huge catamaran boat. Food and refreshments are available on board - don't forget to watch out for the dolphins. A few miles further on is Kylemore Abbey with superb grounds and gardens including the newly refurbished Victorian Walled Garden. This road leads onto Connemara National Park Letterfrack and Clifden. This is the scenic route to Galway city too, city of the tribes with so much to offer the visitor. Come back the short way though, through Ballinrobe, it'll take you just 75 minutes.

Go West

Take the Newport Road from Westport and you'll find Mulranny with its beautiful beach, golf links and pretty village just half an hour away. Another half hour and you're heading onto Achill, Ireland's largest island and renowned amongst artists.

The beaches are just wonderful and have great surf for the brave. There's an adventure centre to check out some new sports too.

Achill is a magnet for walkers with everything from flat beach walks to strenuous mountain hikes on offer.

Go North

15 minutes up the road is Castlebar, the county town, with bowling, laser games and an indoor kiddie fun centre, Nokies. The Linenhall Arts Centre also run regular children's programmes. Five miles from Castlebar on the Dublin Road (N5) is the National Museum of Ireland, Country Life which has a full programme of children's activities year round. Booking is recommended as these activities are really popular and fill up quickly.

Another 15 minutes will bring you to Hennigan's Heritage, a representation of life before the famine where kids can see real farm animals as well as see the lifestyle of another era.

For a more extensive day trip Sligo is a lovely city with plenty to offer in terms of shops, cafés and art. Not far away is Drumcliffe where the poet W.B. Yeats was laid to rest in a delightful churchyard.