Hi there,

I agree with you about the Crescent Shopping Centre Play area. Did you try the Spur Steak House in the Crescent? This is a steak, chicken, fish and chips style restaurant that has a nice play area as well. My younger kids (5 & 9) like it. The food is good quality and reasonably priced (for Ireland)

Tons of Fun on the Tipperary Road is good

http://www.tonsoffun.ie/

Buttercup farm is also a big favourite:

Buttercup Farm

Traditional farm with a large selection of farm animals including Cattle, Sheep, Pigs, Fowl & Exotic Birds. Facilities include a playground, picnic area and horse & cart riding.

Special events are held throughout the year including the Easter Bunny and Egg hunt with madhatters tea party. Also a Christmas event with the arrival of Santa and 6,500 lights!

Birthday parties are also catered for.

Directions Location: Off the new Cork/Limerick by-pass on the Ballingarry Road.

Disabled Access Fully accessible

Opening Times Easter weekend - 30th September and also 1st - 24th December.

10.00hrs - 18.00hrs. Monday - Friday.

12.00hrs - 18.00hrs. Saturday & Sunday.

Retail Outlet Craft & toy shop on site

Parking Ample parking, capacity up to 150 cars. Coaches welcome.

Tea/Coffee Shop Tea/Coffee shop on site

Address Ballygrennan

Croom

Limerick

Telephone +353 61 397556

A lot of kids like the Celtic Park and Gardens (but I have to say mine didn't)

Celtic Park & Gardens

Situated on an original Celtic settlement, the stunningly beautiful Celtic Park helps to interpret Ireland’s past with exhibits of the physical structures associated with ancient Ireland. On display are a stone circle, mass rock, dolmen, lake dwelling, cooking site, stone templar church, lime kiln, holywell, ogham stone, communal tomb and Celtic chieftain chair. Throughout the garden is an extensive range of native flora and fauna, with an abundance of wildflowers including rare wild orchids. The classic style formal gardens adjacent to the park have beautiful roses on display, a large lily pond, rockeries, herbaceous borders and shrubbery. Enjoy refreshments in the coffee shop, with panoramic views of the surrounding West Limerick countryside.

Directions 17km from Limerick City and 8kms from Adare, off the N69 at Kilcornan.

Opening Times Mid March to mid October, daily from 09.30hrs to 18.00hrs. Other times by appointment only.

Admission Rates Adults 2006: €6; Family (2 adults and 4 children under 12 years): €12.

Catering/Shopping Tearoom. Bookshop.

Parking Ample car and coach parking.

Address Cloonagulleen

Kilcornan

Co Limerick

Telephone +353 61 394243

Fax +353 61 394243

Funworld on the Ennis Road is also good - there is a closed play area there suitable for your son's ages. My son (5) loves it:

Funworld

A lively entertainment centre

Ennis Road

Limerick

+353 61 32 5088

Opening Hours 10a-midnight M-Su

Funworld is an entertainment centre for all the family. It features a ten-lane computerised ten-pin bowling area, pool tables, air hockey, video games and a fine children's play area. There is also a Supermacs restaurant on site for refreshments. This is an ideal place to enjoy a family day out, and an ideal location for birthday parties. Admission is about EUR4 per child.

Funworld is just across from the new Jetland Shopping Centre - so you could leave Dad with the kids and do a bit of retail yourself.

I assume you've done Bunratty and Craggaunowen. If you haven't then Bunratty is definately a "must-do". My kids love Bunratty.

Another suggestion is to go into Limerick Tourist Office (or e-mail them and ask you to sent it to you) and get the free booklet entitled "Great Days Out" - this has lots and lots of great ideas

Limerick City Tourist Office Arthurs Quay. Limerick Tel +353 61 317522 Email: touristofficelimerick@shannondev.ie

Hope this helps.

Thanks for all the ideas. I grew up in Limerick but left over 20 years ago and it's definitely changed a lot since then. We've been to Bunratty with the kids but the other ideas are great. Just want some ideas for days in between meeting family so that we can jump in the car and get out for the day. The kids are really excited.

If you are looking for some quick and inexpensive things to do, then you could do worse than feed the ducks at the end of the Mill Road in Corbally.

Pick up a loaf of bread in the Supermarket just beside Gus O'Driscolls then drive down. The Mill Road has changed a lot - I'm probably of the same age as you :o) But the ducks still love being fed.

You can do the same with the swans on O'Callaghan's Strand, but I think the ducks are safer.

The University is also great for a walk - there are some nice river side walks there, the kids could also go for a run.

Finally there is a swimming pool in Grove Island in Corbally that is open to the public. Haven't been there but reports are good.

I went to the Buttercup farm this afternoon with my 2 years old daughter! Thanks for the adice we had a great afternoon! I discussed with a woman when haveing our break and I have been told theat they organize whole day activities for kids during holidays. Starting at 10 they will feed animals and work in the farm they will then cook. Parents are picking them up at 3pm,

Seems to be a great idea!

We will try this in July as my husband kids are coming from France and I am eager to get ideas of activities!! If you know something about summer camps... Not only sport activities... I learnt about UL Summer Camp but his daughter (9years old) is not sport addicted... I am looking for dance, handcraft (silk paint, scrapbooking...) If any ideas...

Limerick Printmakers are great (both my daughters have done art there) They have summer camps, but I can't remember when they are on.

They also book out very quickly

www.limerickprintmakers.com/

Richie Ryan's Centre Stage Theatre group also have summer camps in Limerick Institute of Technology

http://www.litmt.ie/CentreStage%202008.htm

The Irish Chamber Orchestra have in the past had an excellent summer school - personal experience with one of my daughters. Perhaps you could contact them directly as I cannot find any details of anything so far

Email: ico@ul.ie

Just a few suggestions....

Hi Bean ( as I dust off the cobwebs )

RE: Gus O'Driscolls, he is dead by the way.

The supermarket next door to it is closed down. The lease holder Pat Reddan has not been able to sell it.

There was a supermarket down the mill road which is also now closed, FYI.

Pick up your goods in Supervalu in Grove Island. You cannot miss this supermarket as you nearly have to drive past the door to get to the duck feeding area.

Kudos on everything else BTW.

Uggh sorry.

The swimming pool in Grove Island is a pain in the neck for the general public. Public swimming hours are limited as it is a membership gym.

Check directly with the Grove Island Complex. 00 353 61 350221

Welcome Back Bertie!!

Yes, Grove Island is a great supermarket (love their coconut buns!!), the petrol station very close by is - as far as we know - the cheapest in town.

My younger daughter has been swimming in Grove Island and likes it.

And the ducks are still at the end of the Mill Road and still starving, two years later lol!!

The Wobbly Bridge in UL is also great fun - its the longest pedestrian bridge in Ireland and goes from the Limerick side of the campus to the Clare (Health Sciences) campus. Great fun, but if you get sea-sick or motion sickness, stick to the gravelly bits.

Limerick Show will also be on, in Patrickswell in August http://www.limerickshow.com/web/ and is a great day out.

Also consider picking up a copy of the booklet entitled "Your Daily Adventure" (or approximately, the one from here has been lifted by one of the kids!!) from the Tourist Office. This has great ideas for days out in the region.

My Gym in the Eastway Business Park is also fun www.my-gym.com/franchisee.asp?gymid=296 My son was at a party there recently and loved it.

gus o driscoll is alive and kickin!

So, reports of his death have been greatly exaggerated!!

Glad he's OK. Haven't been there in yonks but it was always a nice pub.