Carlingford can be a hectic time at Easter but we at Visit Carlingford want to make sure that everyone enjoys Easter, especially little ones. We understand that it can be difficult to keep little ones entertained over the Easter break so we have put together a few suggestions. Most of which are free, outdoors and lots of fun.
With the weather set to be beautiful this weekend it is the perfect opportunity to get everyone outdoors for some fr.esh air and some creative inspiration.
A Cycle Along The Greenway
On Yer Bike, Carlingford Marina, Cooley Peninsula Undiscovered & Carlingford Lough Greenway have come together and created an event along the Greenway, kids go free on bike rental which s great if you are coming from a long distance away. There will be some Easter surprises and lots of great views to soak in. When you have completed this 7km long cycle then you will be sure to have worked up an appetite and Sitar Marina Bar & indian cuisine is at the best surprise at the very end
Easter Egg Hunt
Carlingford Adventure Centre are hosting an Easter Egg Hunt & Family Fun Day on Sunday the 21st of April! The Easter Bunny and Chicken are ready to welcome everyone to have lots of fun. The weather forecast is looking good already, another reason that an Easter Egg Hunt is ideal. There will be BOUNCY CASTLES, FACE PAINTING and some ARTS & CRAFTS in our their brand new pop-up marquee.
An Easter Egg Hunt is something you can do in your own back garden, whether you choose to hide chocolate eggs or not kids are sure to have a great time. You could even get the kids to paint some stones and hide them afterwards.
A Picnic
Who doesn’t love a picnic, you could theme it for Easter with healthy carrot sticks, hot cross buns and egg sandwiches. Whether you have it at the beach, the playground, in the green area, on the mountain or in the back of the car. You can always add a bag of chips from the chip vans or follow it up with an ice-cream from the ice cream van. The weather is set to be sunny so an ice-cream would be a right treat.
Collect Sea Shells
Kids will enjoy collecting seashells more than you know and there are so many interesting shells to be found on our shores. Recently Carlingford Lough Ferry shared some wonderful examples from the Carlingford shore, you could make a day out of it, travel across to Greencastle on the Ferry and collect shells from both sides of the Lough. A spin up to Newcastle for even more.
This is a great activity to incorporate your picnic.
Photo credits to @Brónac Mackin
Visit Carlingford Colouring Competition
Our colouring competition is unique in that it is running over Easter. We have had some wonderful entries already and we expect some more in. We will be displaying them up on our walls in the office over the Easter break and we will announce a winner next Wednesday 24th April. Help our Easter bunny colour in the eggs.
Arts and crafts and colouring is such a great way to entertain the kids, why not paint some stones or eggs. Get them to create Easter cards from Grandparents.
Vintage and Collectables Flea Market
Easter Monday 22nd April at 12 noon until 6pm in St. Michael’s Hall there will be fantastic Flea Market open to the public. This is a nice event to pop into when out and about for a stroll around the village. The madness of Easter Sunday should have passed. You will never know what treasures you might find.
Leprechaun Cavern and Fairy Underground Cavern
Everyday at 3pm local leprechaun whisperer Kevin Woods will be participating in 15 minutes of storytelling and an introduction to how the last leprechauns of Ireland became a protected species by the E.U..This is done in the story room. This is followed by a visit below the ground where leprechauns and fairies converge in the morning as the sun rises.
You can explore the Leprechaun Cavern and Fairy Underground Cavern at any time however and there is plenty to see.
Fun in the Playground
Carlingford has a great playground but aside from this, there is two top of the range playgrounds outside of the village. One in Lordship and the other in Cooley both visible from the main road on the way to Carlingford from Ballymascanlon. Tire out little ones and give them endless amounts of fun in any of these playgrounds.
Carlingford
Lordship
Cooley
Explore The Mountain Trails
Take the family on a trek. There are many mountain trails, for big kids challenge them to climb to the top of the highest mountain in Louth and don’t forget to bring the sandwiches for the top. Educate little ones with an abundance of nature along the trails from sheep, horses, bugs to the wild heather, bog cotton and waterfalls.
Get the kids to paint some eggs and roll them down the hills to see who gets their egg the furthest, this is endless amounts of fun.
Explore the Historical Sites
Carlingford has many castles and historical sites. Explore the periphery of King John’s Castle. Create tales to entertain kids of Thosel Arch, The Dominican Priory and the Carlingford Mint. See how many castles you can count in the village. Locate the Famine village along the Barnavave Loop. Visit the ruins of the church of Cill Mhuire and graveyard situated at Templetown.
The Carlingford Heritage Centre situated in the middle of the village will have an abundance of historical knowledge, a great way to educate the kids and yourself 😀
HAVE A WONDERFUL EASTER FROM EVERYONE ON THE VISIT CARLINGFORD TEAM!
