The Gleneagle Hotel and Apartments, Killarney

The Gleneagle Hotel has great leisure facilities including a 25 m swimming pool, a 13m swimming pool ideal for children and learners, a gym and a number of children's entertainment options. Families are accommodated in family suites or alternatively in the self-catering Gleneagle River Apartments which have the benefit of lots of extra space and use of the leisure facilities. The Gleneagle Hotel is a three star property but the apartments are considered four star. The nearby sister hotel the Brehon hotel is a four - star hotel and guests can use all of the facilities of the Gleneagle so this may be a good option if you really want a hotel at the luxury end of the scale.

The kids club is the Eager Eagles club which runs all summer long, during school holidays and at peak times. This club caters for children aged between four and fourteen and has a wide range of supervised activities for kids including arts and crafts, swimming lessons, bouncing castles, a playcentre with a ball pool, nature walks, tennis matches, pitch and putt, competitions, soccer, visits to an animal farm and to the cinema on occasions. It also has the benefit of being close to be INEC which often has family friendly shows including the family friendly favourite Barney and the stunning Killarney scenery which is full of things to see and do for the family. Book here

Dingle Skellig Hotel, Dingle

The Dingle Skellig is another family favourite on the beautiful Dingle Peninsula. Families can share a room and standard rooms cater for two adults and up to two children. Interconnecting rooms are also possible and children in their own interconnecting room are charged a reduced rate. These rooms are very popular and do get booked up well in advance. The price for children includes bed and breakfast and a kid’s tea from 5.30 to 6.30. Even if children do not enrol in the kids clubs having a kid’s tea is a great way of meeting new friends

The Skellig Crèche cares for children from infancy to four years of age and provides a friendly environment for young babies and toddlers. There is a charge per hour and a discount for families with more than one child. It is open in high season seven days a week and in low season at weekends and in school holidays.

The Fungi kids club (clearly named after the local dolphin) caters for children from four upwards and provides a range of entertainment and activities. This includes arts and crafts, face painting, talent nights, pottery making at Louis Mulcahy's workshop, quizzes, bouncing castles, trips to Dingle Ocean world and lots more. The club is free however there are charges for trips to outside activities. Book here

The Kenmare Bay Hotel and Resort, Kenmare, Kerry

The Kenmare Bay Hotel and Resort is located just outside Kenmare which is an great base for a family holiday discovering the beautiful county of Kerry and the site west of Ireland. Families are accommodated in either family rooms or the newly developed four star holiday homes and five star lodges. Guests staying in the holiday lodges have full use of the hotel facilities including the Bay leisure centre.The hotel facilities include a 20 m swimming pool, kids pool, gymnasium, steam room, jacuzzi, rejuvenation suites and free wireless.

The range of kids facilities is impressive and they have a specially developed kids menu incorporating good nutritional dishes. All food is made on the premises and there is no processed food.

A kids club is available for children aged between 5 and 12 years and bookings are advisable. On Saturdays and bank holiday Sundays the club is run in the evenings only and in the summer holidays there are two sessions a mid-morning session and an evening session. Activities include indoor and outdoor games, board games and DVDs, arts and crafts and circle time. The cost is €10 per child with the third child free.

The hotel also runs a Bay Teens Club in conjunction with Star Outdoor adventure centre in Kenmare which has a range of activities from children aged 12 to 17 including kayaking, land orienteering, sailing, team games and archery. In addition there is a teen beauty workshop for girls aged 12 to 17 on Tuesdays Thursdays and Saturdays. In all cases it is recommended to check with the hotel about times, booking fees and cancellation fees. Book here

The Holiday Inn, Killarney, Kerry

The Holiday Inn, Killarney it is situated close to the bustling town of Killarney with its stunning scenery and attractions including Mucross House and Gardens, the Lakes of Killarney, Killarney National Park and Kerry's famous golf courses. Families are accommodated in the family suites which include a dining area complete with a fridge and second TV and all rooms include interactive multimedia facilities and tea and coffee making facilities. The hotel facilities include a leisure centre which is fully equipped with a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

During school holidays the hotel runs a kids club including a supervised playroom and activities for children include puzzles, crosswords, kids disco, kids movies, a games room and kids water activities. Book here

The Quality Hotel and Apartments and Lodges, Youghal, Co Cork

Located in the grounds of the Quality Hotel & Leisure Centre Youghal, East Cork these two bedroom apartments and new three bedroom lodges are great for a family break. Guests of the apartments and lodges have free access to the onsite health & leisure centre at the hotel and all the other fantastic family friendly facilities the hotel has to offer.

The Quality Hotel and Apartments/Lodges are situated right on the golden sandy beach at Red barn in Youghal which offers breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. The apartments and lodges are fully equipped for self-catering and have a full kitchen and living room area. There are two bedrooms in the apartments with one double bedroom and one twin bedroom to accommodate up to four people. The lodges have three bedrooms, one double ensuite, one double and one twin bedroom. Cots and highchairs are available on request.

Resort facilities for families are impressive and include a 20 metre swimming pool, a children’s pool, a gymnasium, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, treatment & therapy suites at the Spa at Club Vitae, two astro turf sports pitches, a glass fronted beach view bar, a children's games rooms, a children’s play centre, a children’s outdoor playground and a children’s movie room.

During the summer months and all midterm breaks and holidays they run a Kids Kamp for children aged 5 - 14 years. There are hourly events daily for 8 - 14 year olds including soccer, arts & crafts, pool games, team games, touch rugby, rounders & face painting. For 5 - 7 year olds events include indoor soccer, arts & crafts, pool games, indoor team games and face painting. Registration for Kids Kamp is essential. Book here

The Riverside Mews at the Castle Oak House Hotel, Castleconnell, Co Limerick

The Riverside Mews Holiday Homes at the Castle Oaks House Hotel & Leisure Club are set in the grounds of the beautiful Georgian Mansion, the Castle Oaks House Hotel, which enjoys panoramic views of the River Shannon. Each self-contained house has a living area complete with colour TV and open fire. There is a fully fitted kitchen with dishwasher, microwave and washing machine. There are 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and private parking facilities. Cots and highchairs are also available on request for €10.00 per stay.

Guests of the Riverside Mews have access to the Castle Oaks Country Club Leisure facilities which include a brand new children's playground, a seasonal kiddies club (July & Aug only)a 17 metre swimming pool, a kiddies pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, gymnasium, floodlit tennis courts, a basketball and soccer court. There is a large and beautifully landscaped shared garden to the rear of the holiday homes for kids to stretch their legs and each of the houses has its own private parking.

The village of Castleconnell is a good base for touring the South and Mid-West regions of Ireland. It has a lovely selection of traditional style bars and is a very popular fishing destination. Book here

You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday. 

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