Making the most of the Christmas break

Hopefully the turkey sandwiches are now a thing of the past but I’m sure ‘I’m bored’ is a well used term in most households – probably from the adults ;). Here are just a few ideas to keep the family entertained throughout the holidays.

As I’m based in Sligo most of the ideas will be in or around the North West but worth travelling for whatever part of the country you are in.

All areas:

Explore Ireland with Abarta Heritage Audio guides. Most are free to download, you can find out more here: http://www.abartaheritage.ie/audioguides/

Go on a real life treasure hunt. Geocaching is great fun for all ages. Using your GPS enabled device you navigate to a specific set of GPS coordinates and then attempt to find the geocache (container) hidden at that location.

 Parkrun. A 5km timed run every Saturday morning. You need to register to take part but it’s free.

Get the stories behind the places from locals and visitors with Storytracks or add your own with their free app: https://www.storytracks.ie/Home/Stories

Go walking.
The Sligo Walks website is brilliant for highlighting some of the fabulous walks we have here in Sligo. My personal favourites are the Caves of Keash – but do mind your footing as it’s very narrow in places. Also the Devils Chimney, a fantastic waterfall that blows upwards when it’s windy.
Mayo Walks also has a website. There are some fantastic walks all around Erris but for quirkiness head to Claremorris – The Land of the Giants at Clare Lake.
Donegal Walks. There’s a gorgeous little ‘fairy trail’ in Donegal town. If you are energetic head to Slieve League.
Leitrim Walks. Miners Way (which also takes in Roscommon) looks fab. There’s a lovely walk at Fowley’s Falls near The Organic Centre. There’s also Troll Wood near Parkes Castle.
Irish Trails have a great website for walks all over the country.

Visit an art gallery  (do check the opening times though) –
Sligo: The Model, Hamilton Gallery, Hyde Bridge Gallery.
Leitrim: The Dock, Solas, Leitrim Sculpture Centre.
Mayo: Linenhall,  Ballina Arts Centre,

See a show –
Donegal: Abbey Centre, Balor Arts Centre, An Grianan,
Sligo: Hawk’s Well Theatre
Roscommon: Roscommon Arts Centre
Leitrim: The Dock
Mayo: Linenhall, Ballina Arts Centre

Get your skates on-
Sligo – Sligo on Ice
Mayo – Castlebar

Museums-
Roscommon – Strokestown Park, Arigna Mining Experience (not just a museum but a tour into the mines), Rathcroghan – home of Halloween!
Mayo – Museum of Country Life, just outside Castlebar in Mayo. (free admission)
Jackie Clarke Collection, Ballina, Co. Mayo

Bowling:
Mack’s Amusements, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Mulvey Centre, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim.

Cinema:
Carrick Cineplex, Leitrim
Omniplex, Sligo
Eclipse, Bundoran and Lifford, Donegal
IMC, Ballina, Mayo
Mayo Movie World

Indoor play centres –
Sligo: Waterpoint Enniscrone, Happy Days, Five Star Fun, Funny Bones, 
Leitrim: Kidz Kingdom at the Mulvey Centre Carrick-on-Shannon
Mayo: Tumble Jungle Ballina, Mayo Leisure Point Castlebar
Donegal: Amusements in Bundoran, Dizzy’s Den, Dizzy Rascals 
Roscommon: Upsie Daisies 

So there are just some suggestions of things to do. Not a comprehensive guide by any means but as I’ve housework to do I thought I’d better stop there 🙂 Feel free to leave a comment if you have anything to recommend.