4 destinations where to go for an Easter holiday to Ireland

Ireland is known as the Emerald Isle and what better time to visit it than Easter when the grass is at its greenest. Ireland is in the far west of Europe which means you will be breathing very clean air. Enjoy nature at its finest with meadows full of wild flowers and young lambs. Ireland is a great fusion of Christian and Celtic culture. The Celtic side is pure pagan and magical.

Get in touch with Nature in the Burren

Drive down to the Burren National Park from Shannon Airport. The area is known for its spectacular range of wild flowers which cover the limestone crags in spring. There are also many interesting ancient remains such as dolmens. Drive along the narrow lanes and don’t forget to take photos of the stunning scenery. There are also some good restaurants and pubs in the area and several hotels. It’s sufficiently off the beaten track to not be over-crowded. If you are lucky, you might even hear some live Irish folk music being played in one of the pubs or hotels. 

You stay a little bit longer? Check out the Burren Perfumery near Carron! It is a good spot to learn about the area’s archaeology and plant life and it also offers soaps, lotions and waters made using the local flora inform their organic garden. It is a good spot for unique souvenirs. 

A trip to Dublin is a great activity for Easter

Good Friday is not a bank holiday in Ireland. It was traditionally a time when people bought new clothes or cleaned the house from top to bottom prior to going to mass on Sunday. So, the shops will all be open. 

On Sunday, you might want to go to mass at one of the more famous churches such as the beautiful St. Patrick’s Cathedral close to the centre of the city. 

Easter is a time when families like to have a large meal together, just as at Christmas. A leg of lamb, turkey or salmon are common choices. There will be special meals on offer at many of the city’s restaurants. These days not everyone has the patience to cook for the family at home. And the pubs should be open too. 

On Sunday, the Easter Rising of 1916 is commemorated with a full military parade in Dublin. There are other fun events such as the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party run by Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in the Deerpark, Mount Merrion. Families can picnic together and enjoy free rides and Easter games.

Go to the races in County Meath and Cork

Easter Monday has a special significance in Ireland as well as being a public holiday. It is the day when many towns remember the 1916 Easter Rising. There are fairs and sporting events to celebrate everywhere.  The Boylesports Irish Grand National is one of the most popular of these. It is a national hunt steeplechase held at Fairyhouse Racecourse, in County Meath, Ireland. There is racing across three days at the Easter weekend with free entertainment for kids on the Sunday and a ladies day on the Monday where you can show off stylish fashions.

Cork Racecourse in Mallow Town also has races on the Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. You can buy a package including race cards and a pint or a hospitality package which includes a lavish lunch. Ladies’ Day is on the Sunday and there are pony races for junior jockeys on the Monday. Why not stay in a hotel in Cork, a short drive away? Cork is a beautiful historic town on the River Lee with great bars and restaurants and beautiful riverside walks.

Galway is great for Easter family breaks

Galway is a great destination for Easter. The town is very harmonious due to the fact that almost all the shop signs are painted wood rather than the illuminated ones that make other cities all resemble each other. The Connacht Hotel offers a family Easter lunch and there is an annual Food Festival. Every Sunday there is an artisan market. And there is the Westend Street Festival which brings together produce from local businesses. Other Easter activities include a Family Easter Egg Hunt at Brigit’s Garden, Pollagh, Rosscahill.

You can also drive to the Galway Spring Festival at the Slieve Aughty Centre in Kylebrack, Loughrea. It offers family fun and Easter activities with pony rides, face-painting, and Easter bunny trails with bags of sweets for every child who visits the Enchanted Forest.