Things to do in Cork with the kids this Easter
Zebras pictured near the Panoramic wheel at Fota Wildlife Park. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan / OSM PHOTO
A trip to Fota Wildlife Park is always a special treat. I have fond memories of my own childhood visits there; of the lemurs stealing my lunch and having a coveted trip on the ‘Bisto’ bus – something only Corkonians of a certain generation will remember.
Things have changed at Fota quite a bit since then, not least with the addition of the Madagascan Village, the Asian sanctuary, and the Tropical House in more recent years.
I was delighted to be invited down to Fota in recent weeks with my older boys to experience the Panoromic Wheel, which will be operating in the park for a limited time. The 35ft wheel offers spectacular views across the park and of Cork Harbour and the Great Island Channel. It was pretty special to see the zebras run across the plains below us.
Seven visitors can purchase tickets for the panoramic wheel from a dedicated booth inside Fota, with prices starting from €5 each.
Afterwards, we enjoyed a leisurely morning around the park, spending plenty of time looking at the rhinos and in the Tropical House. We finished the day with a trip on the bus to see the animals from a different vantage point.
Tickets for Fota Wildlife Park start from €16.50 (under 3s are free).
See: www.fotawildlife.ie
Fancy an egg hunt with a bit of a difference? And better still, one that won’t cost you a cent.
Clean Coasts is encouraging people to take a break from the traditional chocolate egg hunt and instead participate in a #2MinuteBeachClean at their local beach, while also taking part in a fun and educational Egg Case Hunt.
Shark and skate eggs can be found along the coast at low tide along the wrack line, where seaweed and other debris is deposited at high tide. Often also referred to as ‘Mermaid Purses’, these eggs can regularly be found attached to seaweed washed ashore.
The initiative aims to inspire children and adults of all ages to engage with nature, and help protect Ireland’s beautiful coastlines by removing litter and identifying egg cases along the shore. People who find one are encouraged to share pictures of their findings with The National Biodiversity Centre’s Explore Your Shore! programme.
We really are lucky to have a host of gorgeous woodlands right on our doorstep. A trip to Farran Woods is a favourite in my house – the deer are a big attraction, and the playground has a nice mix of equipment to suit younger and older children. I like that it also has a decent volume of picnic tables, and we bring a flask of hot chocolate and snacks for a break. Bonus points for the fact toilets are on site.
In West Cork, it’s hard to beat a trip to Castle Freke woods, followed of course by chips at the Fish Basket on Long Strand.
Other popular trails worth checking out over Easter include Gougane Barra National Park, Glenbower Woods, and Curraghbinny.
The Office of Public Works is hosting a special Easter event at Charles Fort in Kinsale. Visitors are invited to join ‘Captain Esther’ as she leads a special expedition to find eight lost baby bunnies. The free event takes place daily throughout the Easter holidays. No pre-booking is required. Charles Fort is open from 10am to 5pm.
Visits to the fort itself are €5 for adults and free for under 12s. It is possible to walk down to Kinsale from it, although be warned the walk back up the hill can be tiring for smaller children.
See: https://heritageireland.ie/whats-on/esther-the-easter-rabbit-and-the-bunny-breakout/
I only discovered Potteria last year when a friend said they wanted to try out something a little different for their birthday. I’ve since been back with my older children and highly recommend it. For those who haven’t been, Potteria is a pottery painting studio. You book a slot to go in, and once there, pick a piece of pottery to paint (you can view the pieces and prices before you get there). All the paint and equipment are provided.
At the end of the session, you hand your pottery over to the experts who will glaze and fire the piece. They’ll advise you when the final piece will be ready for collection.
If you haven’t already paid a visit to the Glucksman at UCC to see Domain of the Dinosaurs, take time to visit at Easter, as the exhibition will be coming to an end in mid-April.
It is an exhibition of scientific and artistic displays and features more than 250 real fossil specimens Admission to the exhibition is free, but paid for public guided tours are available (€5 plus booking fee).
See: www.glucksman.org/exhibitions/domainofthedinosaurs
Fota House Arboretum & Gardens will host its annual Easter Trail next weekend. Families are invited to take a self-guided tour around the Arboretum and Victorian Working Gardens where actors guide children through Easter egg hunts, fun activities, and puzzles
Children can meet the Easter bunny at Fota House at the weekend.
The Cork Public Museum is a nice spot for anyone looking to find out more about Cork’s history and civic life.
Situated within Fitzgerald’s Park, it displays a selection of silver, ceramics, and other memorabilia connected with Cork’s life through the years. A walk in the park afterwards is a must, and the playground here is a firm favourite. Take the opportunity afterwards to walk across the famed Shakey Bridge. See: https://www.corkcity.ie/en/cork-public-museum/
For the second year, Joe’s Farm in Killeagh will host a special Easter trail over the break. Visitors will receive a map and be invited to explore the farm on a set route and get the opportunity to meet the Easter Bunny.
Attendees can stamp their card at different locations on the trail to earn an Easter egg. The trail will run on March 29, April 2 and 4. Attendees are advised to dress appropriately for the weather. Tickets are priced from €11.40.
Elizabeth Fort is an early 17th-century fortification which overlooks Cork city. It has been in continued use for over 400 years, including as a military barracks and a food depot during the Great Famine. The fort is free to visit. It will host a ‘hop and seek event’ from April 2 to 4 from 11am to 4pm where attendees can follow the trail of clues, solve the puzzles, and find the Easter Bunny!
See: www.corkcity.ie/en/elizabeth-fort/upcoming-events/hop-seek/
App?
