Schools out and we know what that means so we here at The Claregalway Hotel have prepared a selection of action packed family friendly things to do while you stay with us over the mid-term break. For those looking for a fun day out why not take a trip to Monkey Business located just 20minutes from The Claregalway Hotel. It has a range of facilities geared towards younger children. The play centre is a great place for kids to run around and enjoy themselves with their facilities ranging from ball pools, to a bouncy castle, to climbing frames, a painting corner and a baby/ toddler area. It is open 7 days a week during school holidays (off peak closed Tuesday / Wednesday) from 10am to 6pm. Admission costs €8 per child and adults enter free of charge.

For a dry day the perfect option is to drive out to the famous Coole Park located just 30minutes from The Claregalway Hotel. Coole Park was once the home of Lady Augusta Gregory, dramatist, folklorist and co-founder of the Abbey Theatre with Nobel prize-winning poet William Butler Yeats. A popular attraction in Coole Park is the famous Autograph Tree, where Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, John Millington Synge, Sean O’ Casey and many others have carved their names into the old beech tree that is still standing today. Coole Park has two fun trails to follow to ensure you explore the best features of the grounds. The “The Family Trail” is an easy 1.75 km walk, taking you past the deer pen, the site of the house and into the walled garden to see the Autograph Tree. The 4.5 km “Seven Woods Trail” connects the different woods made famous in poetry by W.B. Yeats. Depending on the season, you might see bluebells and violets, jays and tree creepers, red squirrels and stoats, butterflies and dragonflies, or swans and other wetland birds. At any stage you can take a break and unwind over coffee in the fantastic visitors centre located on the grounds. To make it an even more enjoyable day out bring a picnic basket and you can lounge on the grounds and enjoy the scenery. There is plenty of parking and no entry cost.

Located just 20 minutes from The Claregalway Hotel, Turoe Pet Farm is the perfect place for a family to spend a few hours. Turoe Pet Farm has a nature trail around the farm where you can feed and cuddle the animals along the trail. The array of facilities at Turoe Pet Farm ensures you won’t be short on things to do. Turoe Farms now boasts Ireland’s only “Inflatable City” with a 25ft slide (Indoors) the 14-acre Visitor Farm and Leisure Park provide great attractions for young and old. The farm also has extensive all-weather heated facilities. There is restaurant on site serving homemade refreshments. Souvenirs, toilets & facilities for disabled, baby changing room, coach & car parking facilities, guided tour for group bookings, wheelchair friendly. Admission: Child €12, Adult €6, OAP €4. There are no time restrictions is place and last admission is 17.30. Turoe Pet Farm is a great day out, bring a camera and take lots of snaps!

Renville Park is surrounds a magnificent 16th century estate. The grounds include a network of trails and walks through woodlands, providing spectacular views of the sea and of counties Clare and Galway. You can view the Irish local wildlife which consists of otters, hedgehogs, herons, curlews, frogs, ravens etc. The park has picnic areas with barbeque facilities and a children’s playground. The local Galway Marine club is just moments away, explore the seaside or spend the day fishing. Open all year round, this park makes for a great family day out. No entry costs.

Galway equestrian centre is located in Peakroe, Athenry just 8km from The Claregalway Hotel. Have you always wanted to try horse riding but never found the time? Now is the time! The Galway Equestrian Centre hosts a range of Equestrian events all year round and is proudly involved with the Equestrian Assisted Learning program. They cater for all levels of riders and offer a wide variety of services including both private and public lessons, hacking, trekking, cross country and hunting. There floodlit all weather surface arena is the perfect location to learn, improve and advance your riding skills. Don’t be scared to try this fun activity as they have fully licensed riders to guide you through every step of the way.

If a fun family night out was what you had in mind why not have some real craic, and go to the dogs! Galway Greyhound Track (9km away) offers food, drink and an excellent evenings entertainment, and you might even be a winner! Student admission is only €5 per person; standard admission costs are €10. A race program is included with admission. Galway Greyhound Stadium has 11 live action-packed races every night along with bars, fast-food and a top-class restaurant! So whether you prefer to be track-side cheering on the winner, chilling out in the bar, or relaxing in the comfort of our restaurant, with panoramic views of the action & Table-side Tote Betting and Drinks service, they’ve got something for you. It’s a guaranteed great night out for all the family!

Why not take a tour of the National Aquarium of Ireland Galway which is located in Salthill just 13.5km from The Claregalway Hotel. Talks and tours take place throughout the day during school holidays at the following times 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00 and 17.00. Every Day at 15.00 there is a guided feeding tour of the larger fish in the aquarium and at 16.00 a guided feeding tour of the baby and juvenile fish in the aquarium. It’s good to note that your ticket is valid all day, so you can go and explore Salthill and return back for any tour throughout the day. There is a gift store and restaurant on site, where you can purchase souvenirs to remind yourself of your trip.

There is a world full of activities to cater for any age group is the nearby town of Oranmore located just 8km from us here at The Claregalway Hotel. The City Limits complex offers bowling, laser tag, pool tables, a kiddies ball pool and play area along with a games arcade with a wide variety of games to choose from. You can also catch the latest flicks at the Omniplex Cinema, located next door to City Limits. To finish off, you could do a few circuits at Pallas Go-Karting track located in Loughrea.

Hip Kidz is a fully interactive Sports and Activity centre where children can have fun and get fit at the same time. With games such as a mini athletics stadium and ball target impact panels for Gaelic games, rugby, basketball, soccer, cyber ball you can measure your performance and compare it with your friends. Hip Kidz offer a midterm Kids Camp running from 21^st February to 25^th February from 8.30/9.00am to 3.00pm at as cost of €30per day or €100 for 5days.

What better way to spend a school holiday than here at The Claregalway Hotel. Situated just an hours drive from some of Irelands most sought after tourist attractions, the Burren, Cliffs of Moher, and Connemara, and the above sample of the many things families can do in the local area, we welcome you and your family to escape to The Claregalway Hotel this midterm break.