McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, Co Mayo

The Wild Atlantic Way – there has been so much talk about it, that maybe it made it onto your family to-do list this summer. If so, the four-star McWilliam Park in Claremorris, Co Mayo, is a great base to explore counties Mayo, Sligo and Galway.

Get out and enjoy the surroundings with a cruise on Lough Corrib. Horse riding and Westport House are also popular attractions. Also check out the Land of the Giants loop walk. A first in Ireland, its handcrafted wood features guide you around a 4.5km route and it’s family, buggy, bike and wheelchair friendly.

ADVERTISEMENT

All family packages include access to the kiddies pool and the free Bizzie Bees kids club. Open during school holidays, they’ll be entertained with games and puzzles. When the tummies start to rumble, the kids tea is served from 5.30pm until 6.30pm daily, with main course, dessert and MiWadi for €8.

Mum and dad can also relax and enjoy some pampering in the hotel’s health and beauty salon, Chique, or take a swim in the 18-metre swimming pool and unwind in the jacuzzi.

Family offers start from €299 for two nights B&B and a meal for the family. Contact 094-937-8000 or visit www.mcwilliampark.ie

Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny

We know many farming families have children that can’t get enough of animals, and if your break wouldn’t be complete without some little furry creatures then the Newpark Hotel in Kilkenny is a great choice. It has its own mini wildlife farm with resident donkeys, alpacas and llamas as well as emus. However, the real class act are the resident Shetland ponies, Toffee and Treacle, who love to be petted and won’t turn their noses up at carrots or sugar lumps. Also on-site is an adventure playground, a go-karting track, walks around the urban fen and an opportunity to see and fly your own bird of prey with the Newparks’ Falconry Experience, which runs on selected days. There’s even a new zip wire and a fairy trail.

For older children, there is a movie room showing movies daily and The Zone games room with snooker and foosball tables, video game consoles and board games. No wonder the Newpark Hotel was voted the number one hotel for families in Ireland by Trip Advisor earlier this year.

The most popular, Newpark three-night summer family fun (from €179 per adult sharing) package includes three nights’ bed and breakfast with dinner on one evening for two adults and high tea for two children.

As well as being able to enjoy the activities above, there is the Krazy Cats kids club and a voucher for the Kilkenny Hurling Way or Art It, an arts and crafts event. This is one hotel where kids are set to have a ball. Contact 056-776-0500 or visit www.flynnhotels.com

Arbutus Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry

Not all families have small kiddies running around. If your family is all grown up and you’re looking to spend some quality time together this summer, then Killarney is a great choice that caters for everybody’s needs.

To escape from it all, the Arbutus is renowned for its friendly and relaxed atmosphere, with a beautiful drawing room, famous homemade breakfasts and an all-time guest favourite, its famous scones. Set in the heart of Killarney town, all the activity that it offers is just a stroll away. Another award winner, the Arbutus recently received TripAdvisor travelers’ choice awards for 2015 in the top 25 small hotels in Ireland category and the top 25 for best service. To celebrate, it has a great offer until the end of June with two nights bed and full Irish breakfast, afternoon tea, shopping vouchers and a trip on Killarney’s tourist train, with a boat trip to Innisfallen Island for €260 per couple.

For more information, contact 064-663-1037 or visit the website, www.arbutuskillarney.com

Delphi Adventure Resort & Spa, Connemara

Situated in Connemara, Delphi Adventure Resort and Spa is in one of the most beautiful parts of the country. But there is a lot more to look at than just the scenery, because with over 20 family friendly activities to experience, there is plenty of adventure to enjoy. From kayaking to hill-walking, surfing to cycling, or zipping through the treetops, the kids will be on the go all day and will be guaranteed to sleep at night. Activities are suitable for children from as young as four right up to those sometimes difficult to please teenagers. There is a range of activities for the little ones, designed to keep three to seven-year-olds occupied, including a free Delphi Dynamos kids club, crab fishing and mini bush craft survival.

Parents, you can join the kids on their daily activities or leave them in the expert hands of the Delphi staff while you relax at the Delphi Spa. There is a variety of accommodation options, from budget to luxury rooms, including economy family rooms in the hostel, spacious deluxe family rooms in the hotel or luxury one and two bedroom suites. To learn more about the huge variety of packages, visit www.delphiadventurere sort.com, or call 095 42208.