1 Glenveagh National Park, Co Donegal: This beautiful park is well worth the ambitious trek to Donegal considering the picturesque gardens are open free to the public. Located just a half-hour drive from Letterkenny, it is the perfect place to stop off and take in some fresh air. The mission of the gardens is to protect and cherish the biodiversity of plants, so take some time to enjoy the array of plants and flowers. The gardens are open from dawn to dusk every day and if you do want to splash some cash, it is recommended that you visit the castle, which is also on the grounds.

www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie

2 Limerick Milk Market, Co Limerick: Open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and just a short walk from Henry Street, this market is the perfect place to while away a few hours with your family. Wander the stalls, admire the crafts and inhale the freshly baked bread as you view the vast array of goods on offer. Try and get some sneaky samples while you are there and do try to support our Irish producers. Many free events and gigs also take place at the market so be sure to quickly check the website before you plan your trip. The only problem is that you might find it difficult to control your spending when you see and smell the tantalising treats.

www.milkmarketlimerick.ie for more information

3 Ballybunion beach, Co Kerry: A trip to the beach on a sunny day is packed full of memories without the euro signs to accompany it. From the sunny southeast to the Wild Atlantic Way, one to stop off at is Ballybunion beach in Co Kerry. Located just 15km from the scenic town of Listowel, Ballybunion has a range of sights to keep the whole family happy. Two great beaches, called the ladies’ beach and the men’s beach, are surrounded by the Bromore cliffs, which keep the harsh Atlantic breeze at bay. These cliffs have a stunning walk looming over the Nine Daughters hole in which, legend has it, a local Chieftan threw his nine daughters after they planned to elope with a group of Vikings. That might not be the most family friendly story, but it might keep the kids in check. The walk also overlooks the secluded Nun’s Beach, which was a private bathing location for nuns from a nearby convent in the past.

6 Rossmore Forest Park, Co Monaghan: Nothing beats a forest stroll on a warm summer’s evening as the sun rolls over the horizon. There is no better place to do this than Rossmore Forest Park. With a walled garden, yew hedges and arched walkways, there are no shortage of locations to bring the kids and enjoy a picnic in the great outdoors. Just a few kilometres outside of Monaghan town, this park is the ideal retreat for those who like to wander off the beaten track and explore an area of Ireland they may have previously overlooked.

4 Science Gallery, Co Dublin: The exhibitions in this gallery at Trinity College change three times a year, so you can visit frequently with a completely new experience each time. The current exhibition is Life at the Edges, which explores how things survive in extreme environments such as space, at the bottom of the ocean or inside volcanoes. This will run until 30 September. The gallery displays contemporary art and science exhibitions along with talks, workshops and film screenings. The exhibitions often have items to feel, smell and hear, which will provide a full sensory experience for your excitable kids. It is completely free to visit the gallery, which is great news for your wallet as well.

Keep up to date with the exhibitions on dublin.sciencegallery.com

5 The National Botanic Gardens, Co Dublin: Those suffering with hay fever may want to avoid this option, but the National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin is a beautiful place for anyone to spend a few hours. Bring the whole family along to see the exquisite floral displays encased in restored glasshouses. From orchids to succulents, your kids will be amazed at the huge variety of plants and flowers on display. The gardens are also an easy escape from the hectic nearby city centre. Best of all, they are open free to the public seven days a week.

www.botanicgardens.ie

7 Altamont Gardens, Co Carlow: A stunning mix of gardens and riverside walks await at these fantastic gardens located just outside Tullow town. Covering over 40 acres, the area has all bases covered with mature trees, exotic shrubs, a bog garden and an ice age glen. There are outdoor picnic tables, perfect if you want to break out the cooler bag and take the kids outside for a day. There is no admission fee to worry about, so just explore the beautiful lawns and be amazed by the vast amount of trees in this enchanting garden.

8 Coole Park, Co Galway: By now, you may be thinking that parks and gardens are some of the only places to go for a free day out. Coole Park, however, is a worthy addition to this list, especially for fans of Irish writers. WB Yeats, George Bernard Shaw and Seán O’Casey, among others, often visited this beautiful park and carved their names into a tree now known as the Autograph Tree, which remains in the park to this day. For those who don’t care about Irish literary history, the amazing walled garden, forest walks and glistening lakes are reason enough to make the journey west and visit the park for free.

9 Croagh Patrick, Co Mayo: For those who like to challenge (or torture) their kids with an uphill climb, the classic Croagh Patrick is the only way to go. Tens of thousands of people make the trek every year and it’s quite accessible for those of all ages. It is split into two stages, the second stage to the top being more difficult, so you don’t have to make the full commitment if your children are young. If you are up to the task, the annual Reek Sunday takes place on 29 July, where roughly 20,000 people will climb the alleged holiest mountain in Ireland, many of whom are barefoot despite countless warnings of the dangers.

10 The Atlantic Film Trail: Do you have a film buff, a free day and plenty of petrol or diesel to keep you going? If so, you might want to cruise along the Atlantic Film Trail. This is an extensively mapped journey that will take you to various locations, from an array of renowned films such as Moby Dick, Michael Collins, The Wind that Shakes the Barley and The Quiet Man. The map is helpfully split up into northwest and west and Shannon and southwest regions for you to pick whichever you prefer or is the closest to you. The online guide also gives some background to each location.

www.discoverireland.ie