8 outdoor activity resorts and parks to visit around Ireland

With the weather warming up, we're all eager to make the most of the summer, but finding new and exciting ways to do that can be a hassle.

Luckily, our country is filled with thrilling adventure and wildlife parks that have everything needed to keep friends, family and even stags and hens happy.

Here, we've rounded up some of the best outdoor centres and parks to visit this summer.

Wildlands, Co Galway

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A lush enclave in the middle of the city, this indoor and outdoor adventure park is located just ten minutes' drive from the main train station, making it perfect for any visitors to the city. This park has practically everything your heart coudl desire: kayaking, orienteering, fun climbing walls, a ninja course for children and more.

The Zip n' Trek, a thrilling assortment of four zip line and obstacle courses set 15 metres in the air, is a firm favourite, and there is a Junior version for the smallies.

And if the weather turns, fear not: the Celtic Challenge Rooms - a series of puzzle-focused escape rooms inspired by traditional Celtic myths - will keep you busy. You can also opt to make it a staycation by renting one of their wooden cabins onsite.

Zip n' Trek at Wildlands starts at €27 per person, while a Challenge Room 90-minute pass starts at €25 per person. Book tickets here.

Fota Wildlife Park, Cork

Opened in 1983, Fota Wildlife Park has been a national leader in conservation, while also allowing scores of visitors to get up close and personal (but never too personal) with its host of inhabitants. Located on 100 acres at Fota Island 10km east of Cork City, it is dedicated to educating guests on wildlife and is a gorgeous spot to visit at any time of the year.

Drop by for feeding time and watch seals, cheetahs, penguins and more have their lunch, or go on an insightful bat walk.

Public day tickets start at €13.10 for children and cost €18.90 for adults. Book tickets here.

Carlingford Adventure Centre, Co Louth

Located in the medieval town of Carlingford, this has long been a go-to spot for those with adventure in their hearts. Specialising in fun and safe challenges for children and adults, it's not surprising that it's as popular for stag and hen parties as it is for school tours.

Spanning land, sea and air, the centre offers everything from laser combat, raft building, aerial adventure, water trampolining and more.

Packages for grown up and kids start at €33, while stag and hen packages start at €57. Book here.

Emerald Park, Co Meath

Whether you're a born thrill seeker or need an activity to tire out the smallies, Emerald Park has every base covered. Located just 40 minutes from Dublin, the sprawling theme park has even more than meets the eye - and that's saying something when guests are greeted by the colossal Cú Chulainn Coaster at the entrance.

From the brand new land Tír na nÓg, which opened at the end of May, with its hair-raising coasters, to the tamer but no less exciting medley of small rollar coasters, and gentle scenic rides, there's an amusement for everyone. The zoo is also surprisingly large, with hawks, mountain lions and more hidden away.

All access tickets start at €43, on the early bird rate. Book here.

Flynn Park, Co Dublin

Founded in 1996 by the Flynn family, who were eager to share their love of adventure and getting out in nature, this 75-acre-wide adventure park is tucked away in Fingal, Co Dublin, making it a perfect getaway for city dwellers. Get your adrenaline pumping with the Tower aerial course (€37.50) or the combat zone.

And when the temperatures rise, you can come down to Aqua Lough, Dublin's only inflatable water park on site at the park (€26 for 55 minutes). It features obstacles, slides, trampolines, and climbing walls, all floating on the water, with Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) trained lifeguards on hand.

Book tickets here.

Go With the Flow river Adventures, Co Kilkenny

With over 20 years' experience leading groups – couples, work teams, stags, hens and everything in between – through the canals, weirs and waterfalls of the River Barrow, Go With the Flow is a delightful way to see parts of the countryside that not many of us get to glimpse.

All canoes, kayaks and equipment are provided, and the insightful guides make activities like "shooting the weir" and cruising the rapids feel both thrilling and achievable. you can choose from a range of trails, including the Splash and Dash one, and the High Kings Trails, and breathe in the natural surroundings.

Canoe hire starts at €25 and trails start at €29. Book here.

Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Co Roscommon

Another sprawling location, you could easily spend an entire day in this park and still have more to do the next time you visit. Featuring boat tours on Lough Key, the ZipIt adventure course, cycling tours and more, it has everything you'd need for a wholesome day in the sun.

And if the weather turns, you can try the Boda Borg (€23.50), an innovative, Swedish concept unique to Ireland that is challenging for both adults and children. With 15 Quests, 47 challenges and no instructions, it'll be a different experience every time.

Book tickets here.

Redhills Adventure, Co Kildare

Set on a former working farm only a few kilometres from Kildare Village, Redhills Adventure is perfect for those of us looking for a thrilling way to spend the day. Only 35 minutes drive from the Red Cow roundabout, the centre specialises in land-based, soft adventure that would suit all ages.

Choose from paintballing, their challenging assault course, axe throwing or - for the adults - tackle their Airsoft course, a more realistic and low impact (as in, not painful) version of paintballing where you can live out your Fortnite fantasies in real life.

Prices start at €30 for Airsoft, with unlimited ammon for an extra €5. Book tickets for this and more here.

8 outdoor activity resorts and parks to visit around Ireland

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