Family summer holiday to Dublin - things to do ?

clerk

Going up to Dublin for 6 nights in July with the family, staying in the Ibis ( by the Red Cow ) as City centre hotels were an outrageous cost.

Going to get the Luas in and out but have the car as well.

Going to do Dublin Zoo, but any other suggestions of any family oriented trips appreciated or any general info, kids are 3 and 7.

Thanks.

westdub

For a trip by car the aquatic center is well worth a visit..... http://www.nationalaquaticcentre.ie/

Also the National Museum can be a interesting place... http://www.museum.ie/en/list/collins-barracks.aspx and handy for the LUAS ..

lots more ideas here...http://www.dublinkids.ie/Outdoor.html

What dates are you staying?

fussyonion

Sealife Centre in Bray. Malahide Castle. Tayto Park. National Aquatic Centre.

bluefinger

I would highly recommend spending a day in Kilmainham Gaol and the surrounding area. the gaol itself is great and not very expensive.

you can then run across the road to the Royal hospital for something to eat, have a look around IMMA, which is cool if you're any way into art, there are also beautiful gardens here.

park the car in the hospital and go down to the Irish national war memorial gardens.

if you get the weather try to get out to sandycove, dun laoghaire pier maybe. quick trip down the m50 from your hotel as is bray.

clerk

westdub wrote: »

What dates are you staying?

Hi thanks. 13th to 19th July. Thanks for the replies so far.

btw - does anyone know where are the nearest play centres, always a good shout if its raining. Are there any in/near the City centre ?

westdub

You will just miss this then.... http://www.brayairdisplay.com/

helimachoptor

Zoo

westdub

clerk wrote: »

Hi thanks. 13th to 19th July. Thanks for the replies so far.

btw - does anyone know where are the nearest play centres, always a good shout if its raining. Are there any in/near the City centre ?

about 5 mins down the N7.... http://www.energyfuncentre.com/

Bandara

Imagineosity in Sandyford is brilliant for kids

clerk

Bandara wrote: »

Imagineosity in Sandyford is brilliant for kids

That looks very interesting. Will definitely go to that.

January

Imagineosity is crap... a good bit of the stuff is broken and they charge for adults.

Food in cafe is overpriced and if you want to eat there it comes out of your play time too.

smellmepower

Corkagh Park is only up the road.Has beautiful lakes with a little cafe,free pet farm,great playground and a new fairy wood.Handy if you don't want to trek into town or whatever.

http://www.sdublincoco.ie/index.aspx?pageid=939&pid=28497

RebelButtMunch

January wrote: »

Imagineosity is crap... a good bit of the stuff is broken and they charge for adults.

Food in cafe is overpriced and if you want to eat there it comes out of your play time too.

+1

RebelButtMunch

clerk wrote: »

Hi thanks. 13th to 19th July. Thanks for the replies so far.

btw - does anyone know where are the nearest play centres, always a good shout if its raining. Are there any in/near the City centre ?

There is one in tallaght and another in rathcoole.
Also there is the cinema and bowling in tallaght

hfallada

Dead Zoo on Merrion Square is pretty cool. Also seeing the Deer at the Papal Cross( a bit hit and miss as they obviously move around)is also good.

HivemindXX

Viking Splash might be good. Your three year old barely squeaks by the age restriction.

Dublinia has things for kids and is inside in case of bad weather.

miamee

clerk wrote: »

Going up to Dublin for 6 nights in July with the family, staying in the Ibis ( by the Red Cow ) as City centre hotels were an outrageous cost.

Going to get the Luas in and out but have the car as well.

Going to do Dublin Zoo, but any other suggestions of any family oriented trips appreciated or any general info, kids are 3 and 7.

Thanks.

The Ark is a little theatre in Temple Bar that does shows directed at kids, it's a lovely little place.

joanas

Pirates village in Swords is great for young children.

clerk

As we'll be stationed at the Red Cow we will be using the M50 quite a bit, e.g. to go to Liffey Valley shopping centre etc.

What is the story will the M50 toll ?

If l'm driving on the M50 from the Red Cow to say Liffey Valley will I have to pay a toll ?

or do you only pay the toll if you pass a particular point on the M50 ? If yes, where is that point.

I'm guessing if I drove from the Red Cow to the Dundrum shopping centre that l'll have to pay a toll ?

miamee

clerk wrote: »

As we'll be stationed at the Red Cow we will be using the M50 quite a bit, e.g. to go to Liffey Valley shopping centre etc.

What is the story will the M50 toll ?

If l'm driving on the M50 from the Red Cow to say Liffey Valley will I have to pay a toll ?

or do you only pay the toll if you pass a particular point on the M50 ? If yes, where is that point.

I'm guessing if I drove from the Red Cow to the Dundrum shopping centre that l'll have to pay a toll ?

No, you will avoid the toll in both instances there. The 'Toll point' is between the junction for Lucan (Liffey Valley) and Blanchardstown. If you don't travel that section of the motorway, you don't need to pay so going anywhere southbound from the Red Cow interchange won't cost you anything and going no further north than the Lucan exit won't cost you anything either.

The actual toll point is well sign posted so you won't miss it if you do happen to head northwards.

eFlow: Reps

clerk wrote: »

As we'll be stationed at the Red Cow we will be using the M50 quite a bit, e.g. to go to Liffey Valley shopping centre etc.

What is the story will the M50 toll ?

If l'm driving on the M50 from the Red Cow to say Liffey Valley will I have to pay a toll ?

or do you only pay the toll if you pass a particular point on the M50 ? If yes, where is that point.

I'm guessing if I drove from the Red Cow to the Dundrum shopping centre that l'll have to pay a toll ?

Hi clerk,

The M50 toll, as Miamee correctly advised, is located between junction 6 (N3 road to Blanchardstown, Navan & Cavan) and junction 7 (N4 to Lucan, Athlone, Galway).

If you travel between these two points the trips cost €3.10 in a car and have to be paid on 8pm the next day. They can be paid over the phone, in a Payzone store or online here-
https://csc.eflow.ie/myaccount/payUTT.aspx.

Alternatively, a lot of people register their vehicle for a free video account, with this account you are covered if you travel on the M50.

The account costs nothing to set up and you are charged €2.60 (per car) only if you travel. You can register online here - https://csc.eflow.ie/newaccount/newaccount.aspx .

If you have any queries about eFlow and travelling on the M50 please ask we are online to help.

Best Regards,
Maureen
eFlow Customer Service

MammaZita

HivemindXX wrote: »

Viking Splash might be good. Your three year old barely squeaks by the age restriction.

Dublinia has things for kids and is inside in case of bad weather.

They're not strict on ages at Viking Splash once the child wears a life jacket for the water part. They allowed my (tiny) one year old on the water last year no problem.