Dive into the enchanting world of Ireland – a land of soaring cliffs, timeless castles, captivating legends, and elusive leprechauns. But this magical landscape has an unexpected twist: a thrilling collection of Ireland theme parks!
It’s easy to overlook these adrenaline-fueled gems when planning a family trip to Ireland, yet they’re ready and waiting to surprise and delight you. Boasting an array of attractions that frequently rival some of the best theme parks in Europe.
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Best Ireland Theme Parks
Welcome to the magnificent Emerald Isle, Ireland, where majestic landscapes intertwine with unexpected excitement – the world of theme parks. Beyond the mystique of castles and folklore, Ireland theme parks present a unique blend of adrenaline-filled adventures and family-centric fun. Let’s dive into the best of these thrilling destinations, promising a memorable journey for all.
1. Pirate Adventure Park
Location: The Demesne, Westport, Co. Mayo
Pirate Adventure Park, one of the most-loved Ireland theme parks, is a three-time winner of the Best Family Visitor Attraction in Primary Times Star Awards.
This small and compact park lies on the grounds of Westport House. The pirate theme comes from Westport House’s association with Grace O’Malley, known in popular culture as the Pirate Queen.
Most of the park’s attractions are for children between 3 and 12 years old. Still, everyone in the family can enjoy the rides and activities.
Kids can tour the estate aboard the Express Road Train, cruise the river on the White Swan pedal boat, or fly high in the Mini Ferris Wheel. The more adventurous ones can try the swinging Pirate Ship and the steep Pirates Plunge, the first flume ride in Ireland.
The park also has a mini zip line, a climbing wall, and a 9-hole Frisbee Golf course. On rainy days, you can play in the park’s immersive gaming zone, an interactive indoor playground with an extensive list of digital games. Camping, glamping and caravan sites are available on the grounds.
2. Clara Lara Fun Park
Location: Glendalough, Knockrath, Co. Wicklow
From rowing boats and go-karts to water slides and obstacle courses, Clara Lara Fun Park offers fun adventures in the great outdoors. This 60-acre open-air amusement park is ideal for those who don’t mind getting dirty and sweaty. Just don’t forget to bring a change of clothes!
The ultimate wilderness escape, the park has rope bridges, treehouses, ziplines, a pirate ship, mini golf, canoes, and Tarzan swings. If you dare, ride the Aqua Shuttle, a massive waterslide. The surrounding hills are perfect for hiking, while the riverbanks make a picturesque picnic spot.
You can visit Clara Lara Fun Park on weekends beginning in May. It is open daily from June to August and will close for a break in September.
3. Castlecomer Discovery Park
Location: The Estate Yard, Drumgoole, Castlecomer, Co. Kilkenny
Set on an 80-acre natural woodland, Castlecomer Discovery Park is one of the most thrilling Ireland theme parks. If your idea of a family day out is one that is full of adventure, you’ve picked the right place.
The park has several exhilarating attractions, including a 300-metre zipline (the longest in Ireland) and the Octagon, a two-level obstacle course of ropes, wooden bridges, and nets. The Skywalk Challenge, the park’s newest attraction, is a three-level aerial adventure course with 40 games.
Go kayaking, canoeing, axe throwing, lake fishing, hiking, raft building, and mountain biking. Unleash your inner Robinhood with an archery crash course, conquer your fear of heights on the Climbing Wall, and learn about Castlecomer’s past at the Coal Mining Museum.
The Timber Tumbles Playground, Elf and Fairy Village, Bouncing Net and Junior Woodland Course cater specifically to children aged three to seven.
4. Funtasia Theme Park
Location: Industrial Estate, Lagavooren, Drogheda, Co. Louth
Funtasia is one of the most popular theme park franchises in Ireland. It has two branches, an entertainment centre in Bettystown and an aquapark in Drogheda. Most of the facilities in these Ireland theme parks are indoors, so you can continue to have family fun even on rainy days.
There’s something for everyone in Funtasia – arcades, Ferris wheels, flying cars, crazy golf, bowling alleys, carnival rides, and even an adult-only casino. The Atlantis Cove, a three-story soft play area with slides, ball cannons, soft blocks, and obstacle courses, is perfect for children under five.
The Pirate’s Cove, one of the most child-friendly waterparks in Europe, offers over 200 water-based attractions and activities.
Try the thrilling water slides, the speedy Super Bowl and the Boomerang or watch out for the gigantic pirate’s head, which pours 500 litres of water on people below. The indoor waterpark also has an area with shallow water, mini water slides, and spray cannons for younger children.
5. Tramore Amusement Park
Location: Tramore West, Tramore, Co. Waterford
A 50-acre traditional theme park in a stunning beachfront location, Tramore Amusement Park cures the nostalgia for old-school carnival games, fairground rides, and 80s arcades. This seasonal theme park is open only during the balmier months, making it a delightful summer day trip option for families.
With over 29 rides and attractions, Tramore has something for all ages. The extreme rides include the Roller Coaster, Sky Diver, Super Bowl, and Frisbee. Younger children can enjoy the carousel, trampolines, Minion Slide, bumper boats, and dodgems.
Please note that you pay for each attraction separately, just like in a traditional theme park. The price varies from ride to ride.
6. Westport Adventure Park
Location: Woodlodge Estate, Knappagh More, Westport, Co. Mayo
AGE 7+
Home to 20 adrenaline-fueled activities, Westport Adventure Park guarantees an unforgettable day out for adventurous families looking for thrilling ways to bond. Here you will learn while having fun, work as a team, and create memories you will treasure forever.
Kids must be seven years or older to join the park’s activities. The challenges include a high ropes course, Leap of Faith (where participants jump off a platform 10 metres above the ground), and Splatball, similar to paintball but suitable for young children.
There’s also an Assault Course, a military-style obstacle course with plenty of puzzles and physical challenges that require every family member to connect, communicate and work together to succeed.
Westport Adventure Park is open daily all year round, rain or shine. However, the staff may substitute the high ropes course with an activity of equal value in case of bad weather.
7. Bundoran Adventure Park
Location: Sea Rd, Drumacrin, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
Situated on Bundoran Beach, Bundoran Adventure Park boasts fetching views of the Irish coast. But its main draw is the lively yet laidback atmosphere, where everyone can enjoy family-oriented fun.
The adventure park has many attractions, including petrol go-karts, bungee trampolines, bumper boats, water walkers, a Ferris wheel, and a 9-hole adventure golf course. Tots can enjoy the bouncy castle and fun rides such as the spinning teacups, Disney chairs, and flying animals. Older children will love the thrilling amusements such as the Twister, the Hulk, Master Blaster and Wacky Worm roller coaster.
If you want to grab a bite, check out the park’s Ocean Café, which serves hot food, snack, and beverages.
8. Fort Lucan Adventure Park
Location: Fort, Westmanstown, Lucan, Co. Dublin
Fort Lucan, Flyover .mp4 from Ray Yore Films on Vimeo.
If you’re looking for theme parks near Dublin, Fort Lucan Outdoor Adventureland is an excellent option. It is far enough from the bustle of the city centre, yet close enough to be accessible. It has welcomed over 1.5 million children since 1993 and is the only amusement park in Ireland in a wooden Viking fort.
Among the attractions in Fort Lucan are go-karts, a crazy golf course, and two waterslides (Waterfall and Ranging River). It has a huge play area with a maze, skywalks, high towers, suspension bridges, and obstacle courses. Its top attraction, however, is the Helter Skelter, a spiral slide that plunges 15 metres.
There is also an area for children under five years old. It has swings, climbing walls, castles, zip lines, slides, and go-karts, all mini to ensure the little ones’ safety.
9. Emerald Park
Location: Kilbrew, Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Sprawled across 55 acres, Emerald Park is an amusement park and a zoo, the only one of its kind in Ireland. The park opened in 2010, named after the potato crip brand, Tayto. In 2022, it changed its name to Emerald Park after Ireland’s nickname, the Emerald Isle.
Emerald Park is known for its mix of kiddie attractions, playgrounds, magic shows, and arts and crafts activities. It has mazes, zip lines, vortex tunnels, a 5D cinema and eye-popping rides, such as the Rotator, Air Race, Viking Voyage, Endeavor, Dino Dash, and Flight School. But the park’s highlight is the Cú Chulainn Coaster, Europe’s largest wooden rollercoaster.
The park’s zoo houses over 250 animals, including a tiger, squirrel monkeys, alpacas and several exotic birds. You can walk with lemurs in a spacious woodland, watch a bird-of-prey demonstration show, and get close to farm animals at the petting farm.
10. Dunmore Adventure
Location: The Harbour, Dunmore East, Co. Waterford
Ready to make a splash? Dunmore Adventure offers great experiences for everyone in the family, from exhilarating land activities to exciting water-based sports.
The park’s highlight is the Wibit Wipeout Aquapark, a massive inflatable floating obstacle course with swings, slides, spinners and trampolines. Other water activities include stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, and kayaking.
Those who do not want to get wet can join the land activities. These include archery, caving, abseiling, and wall climbing.
11. Aqua Dome
Location: Tralee, Co. Kerry
Aqua Dome has welcomed over 4.5 million visitors over the last 28 years. Because the park is indoors, it has balmy temperatures all year round, whatever the weather.
The park offers attractions for swimmers and non-swimmers alike. You can enjoy the wave pools, flume slides, river rapids, gusher geysers, water sprays, whirlpools, and mini aqua golf. Small kids can have fun at the kiddie pools and slides.
There’s a spa with various saunas and massage services for adults who want to relax.
12. Funderland
Location: Various locations
Founded in 1975 and completely Irish-owned, Funderland is one of Europe’s top travelling amusement parks and possibly the largest. Each year, it gathers the best rides, attractions, performers and entertainment and brings them to the public at an affordable price.
The travelling park typically stays in Cork during Easter, Limerick during the June Bank Holiday, and Dublin during Christmas. It has five roller coasters, two giant Ferris wheels, and 15 other attractions, such as the Hollywood Walk Through, Hollywood Fun House, Roller Ghoster, the Scrambler, and the Haunted House.
13. Waterworld Bundoran
Location: Atlantic Way, Drumacrin, Bundoran, Co. Donegal
A vibrant indoor aqua playground, Waterworld Bundoran ensures an exciting and fun-filled day out in the water. It is one of the few Ireland theme parks open all year round.
The park has a toddler pool, Walrus Slide, Aqua Blue slide, and the Umbrella for younger kids. For the adventurous, there’s the Pirate Ship, the Waves, the Rapids, and the multilane slides. Thrill-seeking daredevils will love the Tornado, Gravity, Twister, and Whizzer, an eight-shaped 65-metre waterslide, considered the fastest in Ireland.
Waterworld Bundoran also offers swimming lessons and surf confidence sessions.
14. Baysports Waterpark
Location: Hodson Bay, Barry More, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon
Located on Hodson Bay, Baysports is the largest inflatable waterpark in Ireland. Its main claim to fame, however, is the 6-metre water slide which holds the Guinness World Record as the world’s tallest floating inflatable slide.
Of course, there’s more to Baysports than its massive slide. You can enjoy kayaking, pedal boating, dragon boat racing, rafting, and cruising on the majestic lake. The park also offers sailing and power boating courses for those who want to learn.
So, can little tots join in the fun? Baysports has a mini waterpark near the shore, with attractions and activities suitable for kids aged two to four.
If you want something to eat, check out BayCafé, the park’s brand-new food truck. It serves stone-baked pizza, French fries, ice cream, and beverages. There’s also a lovely picnic spot where you can sit and relax.
Ireland Theme Parks – Final Words
Perhaps they’re underrated, but Ireland theme parks are arguably some of the best in Western Europe if not the entire continent. Many are a bit rustic and old-fashioned, yet that is what makes them so unique and special. So, if you’re looking for kid-friendly activities on your family holiday, you can’t go wrong with a trip to an amusement park in Ireland.
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Sylvie Simpson is the founder of European Cities with Kids. For the past 6 years, she has been travelling all over Europe whenever she has the chance, both solo, for work and with her daughter. Sylvie is on a mission to help people make the most of city breaks in Europe with kids and helps over 50,000 readers per month plan and make the most of their trips in Europe with kids.