Five of the best family friendly hiking trails around Ireland: From easy to demanding
As a family we love hiking. We started getting into it five years ago when our little boy was three years old. Before that we brought him, as a baby and toddler, on local town, canal and wood walks and saw the fun he had in discovering the outside world. Our boy is well able to keep up with other hikers now, but the old saying that you have to walk before you can run is also true for hiking – you walk before you hike.
From three to four years old, your child can start going on slightly longer and more uphill walks. The trick is to choose interesting walks so that the rocks, water and scenery carry the load of entertaining your child. Watch your own physical and emotional wellbeing too – try to be in a good mood and not stressed so that you can support your child while also being able to look after yourself.
The more walks you go on, the better hikers you and your children will become. A few uphill hikes on easy routes are recommended to build up stamina in your calf muscles before you undertake longer, more demanding hikes. By steadily increasing your hiking experience, you and your family will be able to climb most mountains in Ireland. Here are some of our favourite hikes to try.
Diamond Hill, Co Galway
An exhilarating hike through Connemara National Park
Diamond Hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean
Diamond Hill is one of the first mountain hikes that we undertook as a family and is still one of our favourites. It offers so much bang for buck in terms of the effort required to experience stunning vistas of the Twelve Bens mountain range and Atlantic Ocean. This walk has a great mix of safety and wildness. Our son loves the boardwalks and rocky steps and at several points was so entranced by the views that he spontaneously twirled and danced en route. On our first hike up Diamond Hill, we introduced the Irish saying of 'Tóg sos' (take a break) as a way to put brakes on our son who always clambers ahead faster than his parents. In our experience, children are naturally adept and agile hikers; it's the poor old parents who in the early days of hiking need to strengthen their calf and joint muscles and need multiple water breaks. There is a very companionable atmosphere on the mountain with fellow climbers urging each other on. There are stunning views of Kylemore Abbey and the Twelve Bens from the summit with lots of fun rocks for children to explore. You can also see the mountains where Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Cú Chulainn had one of their many spats, according to the legend. We have climbed Diamond Hill on calm days, windy days and cloudy days and it's a different experience each time. It is lovely to have a picnic on top on a calm day and exhilarating to experience it on a wind-buffeting day. There are shorter walk options for families with very young children but we would encourage aiming for the top if your children are over four years old. There is a playground and cafe at the start of the hike. Our son always has plenty of energy left to try out the slides and swings while we take it easy on the benches.
READ MORE
Mullaghmore, Burren, Co Clare
A hike through a fascinating limestone kingdom
Mullaghmore, in the heart of the Burren
When we asked our son what his favourite hike was he told us quite definitely that it was Mullaghmore in the Burren,
Co Clare
. Our son loves the Burren in general – the unique flora and karst landscape – and this hike has it all. Mullaghmore and the surrounding hills look like giant coiled snakes or soft cake mixture and remind us that the landscape results from layers of seabed being twisted skyward 325 million years ago. The hike is clearly marked throughout and there is something truly satisfying about walking across the karst limestone. Our son especially enjoys the sections where you have to scramble a bit by using your hands to get up or down rocks. The views from the summit of Mullaghmore across the Burren are beautiful and offer much exploring and picnicking opportunities. We have visited this site many times, and each time it is so much fun. There is also something surreal about the landscape, and this is brought home by seeing the house used in Father Ted on the far side of Mullaghmore. As you cross some of the more barren sections of the limestone slabs, you may well think of the great line from that series, 'Are you on your holidays, Father?' Once you finish the hike, you may find that part of your heart has turned to karst limestone, ensuring that you will be compelled to return here again and again.
Great Blasket Island, Co Kerry
An unmissable hike exploring a bygone time
The Great Blasket Island
This hike is full of adventure, nostalgia and beauty and will last long in the memory. It starts with making the steep descent to Dunquin pier from where you take the boat to the Great Blasket Island. Even on a calm day, the waters of Blasket Sound are somewhat choppy. As we crossed, we noticed a small dinghy being carried behind the boat and imagined what it would be like if we needed to use it as a lifeboat. We were somewhat taken aback when we realised that we would have to transfer to the bobbing dinghy in order to access the harbour in Oldtown. Once safely ashore, tranquillity settles. You realise you are now on the most westerly point of Ireland and Europe, with the next parish being America. The old abandoned village puts you in mind of the people who lived on the island, the last of whom left in 1953. We are tempted to explore the beach first but since the island is relatively compact, we decide to walk around it before exploring the old houses and beach later. This proves to be a good decision and we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the other Blasket islands, including Inishvickillane, the island bought in 1974 by taoiseach
Charlie Haughey
and now owned by his family. Seals, whales, dolphins and puffins can be seen from the beach. The tour provided by the OPW was excellent and it was fascinating to hear the stories of the islanders, including their celebrated literary figures
Peig Sayers
, Tomás Ó Criomhthain and Muiris Ó Súilleabháín. Then it was back on the boat again and, to top the day off, we had a very delicious meal in
Páidí Ó Sé's
traditional and memorable pub in Ventry.
Slieve Foye, Cooley Mountains, Co Louth
Where Queen Maeve fought the king of Ulster for the Brown Bull of Cooley
Overlooking Carlingford Lough on the way to Slieve Foye
Slieve Foye is one of the first mountains that we hiked as a family and the experience was so amazing that it became our gateway to exploring the rest of the Cooley and Mourne Mountains. The views of Carlingford town and lough are beautiful from the start but it's at the summit ridge that the hike really comes alive, with its tremendous vistas and clambering opportunities. The route is clearly marked for the most part but there is a chance to test your navigational skills as you near the summit. Slieve Foye is the literal high point of
Co Louth
, and the route is made up of different terrains – rock, grass and bog. The walk can be shortened if needed for younger families but reaching the summit does require a bit of stamina or prior hiking experience. The views from the summit are so expansive and beautiful that it was here that we were first put in mind of the mythological Fianna who were said to roam Ireland in pre-Christian times. We could imagine Queen Maeve coming here with her army to raid the Brown Bull of Cooley and Cú Chulainn single-handedly defending Ulster on Slieve Foye against the invading Connacht army. It was within the Cooley Mountains that we began to understand the intersection between landscape and psyche in Irish mythology and decided to research the myths and folklore linked to other places we had hiked. The charming village of Carlingford is a great place to finish your day.
Fair Head, Co Antrim
A breathtaking hike along a sublime route
The Fair Head coastline
Fair Head in
Co Antrim
is surely among the finest cliff walks in Ireland. It offers adventure and superlative views for little effort. It is not far from the Giant's Causeway cliff walk (also stunning) but there will be very few if any people on this route. Right from the start at the car park, the waters of Murlough Bay rise up to meet you and the shores of Scotland and Rathlin Island are clearly visible. The path is clearly marked, navigation is straightforward and the walk can be shortened or lengthened as desired. It is thrilling to be able to walk near to the cliff edges and yet feel completely safe (children should be old enough to be fully secure on their feet and trusted not to go too near the edge). There are also many unusual rock formations to explore en route. There are beautiful inland views too as well as across the ocean. Chilling tales of the enigmatic Grey Man are linked to this path, usually associated with the grey mists and fogs that roll in off the north Antrim coast. Another mythological link to the area is the story of the Children of Lir, who were cursed by their stepmother to live as swans for 300 years in the stormy Sea of Moyle between Fair Head and Scotland. If I could be teleported to anywhere right now, I would ask to go to Fair Head.
The 50 Best Family Hikes in Ireland by Mairéad Furlong and Fergal McLoughlin is published by Gill
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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Five of the best family friendly hiking trails around Ireland: From easy to demanding
As a family we love hiking. We started getting into it five years ago when our little boy was three years old. Before that we brought him, as a baby and toddler, on local town, canal and wood walks and saw the fun he had in discovering the outside world. Our boy is well able to keep up with other hikers now, but the old saying that you have to walk before you can run is also true for hiking – you walk before you hike. From three to four years old, your child can start going on slightly longer and more uphill walks. The trick is to choose interesting walks so that the rocks, water and scenery carry the load of entertaining your child. Watch your own physical and emotional wellbeing too – try to be in a good mood and not stressed so that you can support your child while also being able to look after yourself. The more walks you go on, the better hikers you and your children will become. A few uphill hikes on easy routes are recommended to build up stamina in your calf muscles before you undertake longer, more demanding hikes. By steadily increasing your hiking experience, you and your family will be able to climb most mountains in Ireland. Here are some of our favourite hikes to try. Diamond Hill, Co Galway An exhilarating hike through Connemara National Park Diamond Hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean Diamond Hill is one of the first mountain hikes that we undertook as a family and is still one of our favourites. It offers so much bang for buck in terms of the effort required to experience stunning vistas of the Twelve Bens mountain range and Atlantic Ocean. This walk has a great mix of safety and wildness. Our son loves the boardwalks and rocky steps and at several points was so entranced by the views that he spontaneously twirled and danced en route. On our first hike up Diamond Hill, we introduced the Irish saying of 'Tóg sos' (take a break) as a way to put brakes on our son who always clambers ahead faster than his parents. In our experience, children are naturally adept and agile hikers; it's the poor old parents who in the early days of hiking need to strengthen their calf and joint muscles and need multiple water breaks. There is a very companionable atmosphere on the mountain with fellow climbers urging each other on. There are stunning views of Kylemore Abbey and the Twelve Bens from the summit with lots of fun rocks for children to explore. You can also see the mountains where Fionn Mac Cumhaill and Cú Chulainn had one of their many spats, according to the legend. We have climbed Diamond Hill on calm days, windy days and cloudy days and it's a different experience each time. It is lovely to have a picnic on top on a calm day and exhilarating to experience it on a wind-buffeting day. There are shorter walk options for families with very young children but we would encourage aiming for the top if your children are over four years old. There is a playground and cafe at the start of the hike. Our son always has plenty of energy left to try out the slides and swings while we take it easy on the benches. READ MORE Mullaghmore, Burren, Co Clare A hike through a fascinating limestone kingdom Mullaghmore, in the heart of the Burren When we asked our son what his favourite hike was he told us quite definitely that it was Mullaghmore in the Burren, Co Clare . Our son loves the Burren in general – the unique flora and karst landscape – and this hike has it all. Mullaghmore and the surrounding hills look like giant coiled snakes or soft cake mixture and remind us that the landscape results from layers of seabed being twisted skyward 325 million years ago. The hike is clearly marked throughout and there is something truly satisfying about walking across the karst limestone. Our son especially enjoys the sections where you have to scramble a bit by using your hands to get up or down rocks. The views from the summit of Mullaghmore across the Burren are beautiful and offer much exploring and picnicking opportunities. We have visited this site many times, and each time it is so much fun. There is also something surreal about the landscape, and this is brought home by seeing the house used in Father Ted on the far side of Mullaghmore. As you cross some of the more barren sections of the limestone slabs, you may well think of the great line from that series, 'Are you on your holidays, Father?' Once you finish the hike, you may find that part of your heart has turned to karst limestone, ensuring that you will be compelled to return here again and again. Great Blasket Island, Co Kerry An unmissable hike exploring a bygone time The Great Blasket Island This hike is full of adventure, nostalgia and beauty and will last long in the memory. It starts with making the steep descent to Dunquin pier from where you take the boat to the Great Blasket Island. Even on a calm day, the waters of Blasket Sound are somewhat choppy. As we crossed, we noticed a small dinghy being carried behind the boat and imagined what it would be like if we needed to use it as a lifeboat. We were somewhat taken aback when we realised that we would have to transfer to the bobbing dinghy in order to access the harbour in Oldtown. Once safely ashore, tranquillity settles. You realise you are now on the most westerly point of Ireland and Europe, with the next parish being America. The old abandoned village puts you in mind of the people who lived on the island, the last of whom left in 1953. We are tempted to explore the beach first but since the island is relatively compact, we decide to walk around it before exploring the old houses and beach later. This proves to be a good decision and we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and the other Blasket islands, including Inishvickillane, the island bought in 1974 by taoiseach Charlie Haughey and now owned by his family. Seals, whales, dolphins and puffins can be seen from the beach. The tour provided by the OPW was excellent and it was fascinating to hear the stories of the islanders, including their celebrated literary figures Peig Sayers , Tomás Ó Criomhthain and Muiris Ó Súilleabháín. Then it was back on the boat again and, to top the day off, we had a very delicious meal in Páidí Ó Sé's traditional and memorable pub in Ventry. Slieve Foye, Cooley Mountains, Co Louth Where Queen Maeve fought the king of Ulster for the Brown Bull of Cooley Overlooking Carlingford Lough on the way to Slieve Foye Slieve Foye is one of the first mountains that we hiked as a family and the experience was so amazing that it became our gateway to exploring the rest of the Cooley and Mourne Mountains. The views of Carlingford town and lough are beautiful from the start but it's at the summit ridge that the hike really comes alive, with its tremendous vistas and clambering opportunities. The route is clearly marked for the most part but there is a chance to test your navigational skills as you near the summit. Slieve Foye is the literal high point of Co Louth , and the route is made up of different terrains – rock, grass and bog. The walk can be shortened if needed for younger families but reaching the summit does require a bit of stamina or prior hiking experience. The views from the summit are so expansive and beautiful that it was here that we were first put in mind of the mythological Fianna who were said to roam Ireland in pre-Christian times. We could imagine Queen Maeve coming here with her army to raid the Brown Bull of Cooley and Cú Chulainn single-handedly defending Ulster on Slieve Foye against the invading Connacht army. It was within the Cooley Mountains that we began to understand the intersection between landscape and psyche in Irish mythology and decided to research the myths and folklore linked to other places we had hiked. The charming village of Carlingford is a great place to finish your day. Fair Head, Co Antrim A breathtaking hike along a sublime route The Fair Head coastline Fair Head in Co Antrim is surely among the finest cliff walks in Ireland. It offers adventure and superlative views for little effort. It is not far from the Giant's Causeway cliff walk (also stunning) but there will be very few if any people on this route. Right from the start at the car park, the waters of Murlough Bay rise up to meet you and the shores of Scotland and Rathlin Island are clearly visible. The path is clearly marked, navigation is straightforward and the walk can be shortened or lengthened as desired. It is thrilling to be able to walk near to the cliff edges and yet feel completely safe (children should be old enough to be fully secure on their feet and trusted not to go too near the edge). There are also many unusual rock formations to explore en route. There are beautiful inland views too as well as across the ocean. Chilling tales of the enigmatic Grey Man are linked to this path, usually associated with the grey mists and fogs that roll in off the north Antrim coast. Another mythological link to the area is the story of the Children of Lir, who were cursed by their stepmother to live as swans for 300 years in the stormy Sea of Moyle between Fair Head and Scotland. If I could be teleported to anywhere right now, I would ask to go to Fair Head. The 50 Best Family Hikes in Ireland by Mairéad Furlong and Fergal McLoughlin is published by Gill
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
My partner wants to ‘do a Cillian Murphy' - have kids abroad but move back before they get foreign accents
People seem to want to raise their kids in one of two ways, depending on how they felt their own childhood went. They either swear to raise them completely differently from the way their parents raised them, or they want their sprogs to have the same experiences they did, so they too can know the same smell of a freshly mowed GAA pitch on a Sunday morning, the excitement of being brought to Dublin for a Christmas panto, or the agony and the ecstasy of footing turf on a sunny day. Our parents did it – we will do it with our kids. That shared experience, unbroken by generational gaps and the passing of time, tying us to the people who raised us and those who will carry on after we have buggered off. Nostalgia makes sentimental eejits of us all. It is why we bring children to the seaside amusements we enjoyed when we were young, and wonder why these kids who have the internet at their fingertips are not excited to be going down a big slide on an itchy hessian potato sack. Usually parents who want to go down the 'shared experience' route of kid-raising find a workable compromise between them. They'll play rugby like you did, but they'll play violin like we did. The problems arise when a mummy and a daddy love each other very much but come from opposite sides of the world. On the running pros and cons list we keep about whether my partner and I should have kids is, 'where would we even raise them?'. He is strongly in favour of 'doing a Cillian Murphy ' and having kids abroad but moving them back before they pick up a foreign accent. 'Jesus, what if they sound like Australians ?!' he asks. 'Whadya bloody moiiinnn? Nufin wrong with me accent,' I reply. Unlike other vulnerable foreign women who have been hoodwinked, I am impervious to the alleged charms of Irish accents. Their siren song does not call to me, they do not turn average-looking men into Paul Mescal . In any case my partner comes from rural Galway so he doesn't have the high ground in the argument. No one calls a phone sex hotline to hear 'Howya, scan?'. READ MORE His greatest fear is having kids who are 'vulgar Aussies', and mine is producing soft little Europeans who feel comfortable using the word 'vulgar' in casual conversation. Yuck. He dreams of kids who will know the feeling of numb hands catching a high ball on a GAA pitch, hearing their parents roar. I dread the long parka-clad hours being simultaneously too hot and too cold in the rain and muddy boots. He dreams of making his own little trad band, every child learning a new instrument. I dread the tin whistle. I dream of kids who are in Nippers (junior surf life saving), who grow up running, swimming and reading the waves like a bedtime story. Tanned little ferals who live outside and keep snakes for pets. My partner hates sand and has the kind of complexion that would pick up a sunburn from standing too close to a microwave. It would be easier if we were both from the same country, but that's what he gets for shifting a foreigner and not a nice Irish woman. He made his sand-filled bed and now he has to lie in it. We both want our children to be Irish but it is not financially rational for us, at this point anyway. [ Emigration to Australia is at its highest level for a decade. We need to ask why Opens in new window ] I envy Irish childhoods. I love the special confidence Irish children seem to have that I credit to feeling safe and knowing their place in a community that is keeping an eye out for them in return. My partner's greatest high jinks as a teenager was drinking warm Bulmers in a field, and a memorable incident when boys from another town 'brought hurls to a teenage disco'. We had to stop going to our local nightclub after a shooting, only swapping back after someone got stabbed on the dance floor at the other 'discotheque'. By way of government schemes, lending conditions and wages in Australia, it is looking easier for us to buy a home in a city where the average house price is roughly €850,000. After childcare costs, the next barrier to returning to Ireland is the support available to neurodiverse children. There's a possibility they will take after me, and I worry I lack the fortitude that so many Irish parents have shown battling the State to get the bare minimum required for their little ones. We are not alone. In the expat forums, thousands of couples are weighing up the same problem: wanting their children to be Irish, but worrying about whether the country that they love so much can support them in return.
Irish Times
3 days ago
- Irish Times
Wicklow cottage with picture-perfect views of the Sugar Loaf and sea for €1.695m
Address : Rose Cottage, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow Price : €1,695,000 Agent : George & Maguire Properties View this property on The Glencap Road in Kilmacanogue winds up to Kilmacanogue GAA Club, and from there you can walk a scenic path up the northeast side of the Great Sugar Loaf mountain, with views out to Bray Head and the sea behind you. Halfway up Glencap Road is Rose Cottage, nestling cosily at the foot of the Sugar Loaf, surrounded by trees and greenery and with its own large back garden perfectly positioned for all-day sunlight. Rose Cottage was originally built in the 1800s, but in 2013 the owners renovated and extended the house from top to bottom, reimagining the interiors to create a contemporary layout oozing style and character and with dollops of country chic. The downstairs is almost completely open-plan, cleverly divided into discrete, interconnected areas that flow smoothly into each other to allow for seamless family living. Upstairs are five bedrooms, four with en suites, including the principal bedroom suite, which has a large picture window overlooking the beautiful back garden, and also has a dressingroom. An added attraction for new owners is a charming guest cottage just across the courtyard, which would make an ideal guest lodge for weekend visitors, a granny flat, separate office or artist's studio, or an income-generating rental property. READ MORE Rose Cottage measures 332sq m (3,573sq ft), with an additional space of 62sq m (667sq ft) in the guest cottage, and is on sale through George & Maguire asking €1.695 million. Outside, the cottage retains a traditional whitewashed stone facade with upstairs dormer windows peeking out through the slate roof tiles. The cottage is in an L-shape, with the entrance on the short leg of the L. The covered front porch has a decorative tiled floor and a seating area, and leads in to an impressive hallway with double-height ceiling and solid wood flooring. As you walk up the feature staircase, you'll be able to see the Sugar Loaf through the picture window. There's a guest WC here and to the left is a large study/den. To the right of the hallway, beyond crittal-style glass doors, is the main living space, running along the long stem of the L, beginning with a cosy livingroom area with light well above and windows on each side. From here you can see along the entire length of the cottage to the family room, diningroom and kitchen all the way out to the patio and back garden. [ Escape to the country: Period farmhouse on 9.5 acres in rural Leitrim for €350,000 Opens in new window ] A solid wood floor runs through the entire living area, and a large wood-burning stove separates the livingroom from the family room. From here there's a door to the side garden, and a good-sized utility room behind a country-style farmhouse door. The kitchen/diningroom has a beautiful bespoke Newcastle Design kitchen in solid oak and mahogany, and a large central island with a rich, dark volcanic stone worktop. Concertina doors running the full width of the kitchen open out on to the patio and the back garden, which has a long, sweeping lawn and numerous areas to relax and catch the sunshine throughout the day, including a seating and firepit area bordered by buxus hedging and a sundeck at the end of the garden. Rose Cottage Kitchen/dining area Living area Living area Diningroom Main living area Stairs to the upper floor Double bedroom Main bathroom Upstairs, the landing has views out to the Sugar Loaf via a picture window, and Velux windows bring more light in. The dual-aspect fifth bedroom has solid-wood flooring and bespoke window shutters. The main bathroom has an elegant Victorian standing bath and a decorative tiled floor. There are three more double bedrooms, each with solid wooden flooring, bespoke shutters and en suite, before you reach the very impressive principal bedroom suite, with its own inner hall, en suite and walk-in wardrobe. It too has solid wooden floors and bespoke shutters, with the added bonus of dual aspect and a large picture window overlooking the back garden. Patio, leading on to the long lawn Garden seating area/sundeck Garden seating area Seating area and firepit All through the house, the taste and discernment of the owners is evident, from the small decorative touches to the high-end sanitary ware and elegant furnishings that look to the past while keeping a foot firmly in the present. The clever flow of the open-plan living space, with its architectural flourishes including split levels, layered lighting and subtle delineation of different areas, turns this cottage into a spacious, light-filled gem of country living. You could easily install internal doors if you really wanted to, but me, I'd prefer to go with the flow.
