Out and About in Ireland – 2021: Free Family Days Out Gino’s Style
Think GELATO –on-the GO!
Here, we have put together an exciting guide to ‘Free Family Days Out’ in some of Irelands most loved counties. We’ll start off our guide in Galway and work down towards Cork, over to Waterford, up towards Wicklow, then on to Kildare, and our final stop being Dublin!
1. Our first county is the City of the Tribes – GALWAY, located in the west of Ireland. A bustling cosmopolitan city, Galway is full of free attractions and adventures for all of the family to enjoy. Our ideal family day out would start off with a leisurely family walk on the famous Salthill Prom, starting off at black rock diving tower where swimmers enjoy the blue ocean 365 days of the year. Enjoy the breathtaking views along the prom, and maybe build some sandcastles alone the way towards the historic Claddagh, where you can visit the majestic swans along the quays. Take a stroll up past The Spanish Arch, and on to William Street and why not treat yourself to a Gino’s Gelato, whilst enjoying the many street acts and musical activity along the medieval street. We recommend the blueberry and vanilla Gelato to reflect the official Galway colours of maroon and white! You could also take a 30 minute ferry to the Aran Islands, which s filled with traditional Irish culture and offers breath-taking scenery, ecclesiastical ruins and prehistoric stone forts.
2. Next stop is CORK, the Rebel County which is the second largest city in Ireland. There’s so many free attractions to visit so at the top of the list is the vibrant Fitzgerald park, in the city centre. The park boasts an amazing walk along river Lee, a state of the art childrens playground, large green areas, colourful gardens and trees, walkways and fountains with plenty of seating area’s. This park is an ideal place to spend time with the family whilst enjoying a picnic or simply exploring the grounds. Daly’s Bridge known as “the shakey bridge” is located here also, and takes pedestrians from Fitzgerald’s Park over the river Lee to the northside of Cork. Throughout the city, there’s lots of indoor attractions where admission is free such as The Crawford Art Gallery (National Cultural Institution). The gallery collection comprises almost 4,000 works, dedicated to the visual arts, both historic and contemporary. Another fantastic site with free admission is the Elizabeth Fort, an early Seventeenth-century star-shaped fort in Cork City centre. This fort is steeped in history and the walls of the fort offer a fantastic view of the city down below. With three Gino’s located in the heart of Cork City on Oliver Plunkett Street, Patrick St and Paul Street, be sure to treat yourself along the way. We recommend a red and white Gelato combo in keeping with the official county colours! Think strawberry and vanilla – yes please!
3. Next up is the oldest city in Ireland – WATERFORD! Despite being over 1000 years old, Waterford is full of surprises for all of the family to enjoy. You’ve the best of both world’s to explore – an ancient city with so many historical sites and a magnificent, unspoiled coastline. So if you and your family fancy a spot of cycling, The Waterford Greenway is an off-road cycling and walking trail that’ll take you along an old railway line, across 11 bridges, 3 viaducts and through a 400m long tunnel, boasting spectacular views throughout. The city of Waterford itself is famous for its history, where visiting families and can enjoy strolls along its ancient walls (which still remain in-tact to this day) tours of its two cathedrals, national monuments, all of which provide a glimpse into the city’s colourful past, without an admission fee. One of the most exciting attractions for families is Reginald’s Tower which is Waterford’s landmark monument and, interestingly enough, it’s Ireland’s oldest civic building, having been in continuous use for over 800 years. With all of this sight-seeing why not pop into our Gino’s on Michaels Street, for a blue and white themed Gelato to get into the Waterford mood! Lastly, a must-do for families is to visit Waterford during the August Bank Holiday weekend to experience the renowned Spraoi Festival which brings the city to life with live street music, street performers, and fireworks – what more could you ask for!
4. Keeping on the W theme, WICKLOW the official ‘Garden of Ireland’ is our next stop. For families that love the great outdoors, Wicklow offers a myriad of activities and things to do. Before you set off on the family trip, treat everyone to a Garden themed green Gelato from Gino’s Strand road in Bray, and take a drive through the Wicklow mountains stopping off at some of these popular sites for a truly memorable family experience. The most popular attractions (with free entry) include Bray Head Cliff Walk & Train Trip, Sally Gap, Glendalough, and the spectacular Glenmacnass Waterfall in Wicklow National Park. Whist in Bray, a visit to the Festina Lente Equestrian Centre and its two and a half acre Victorian Walled Garden which is free of charge to visitors. Additional facilities include a garden centre, a large greenhouse, beautiful fountains, and the large pool gardens which are home to terrapins and goldfish. Creating family fun the green way! When you finished exploring stop by our Greystones store where as well as Gelato, Waffles, Crêpes & treats we also serve yummy fresh authentic stone baked pizza…this day trip just got a even better!
5. Our second last location is KILDARE. Known as the equine county of Ireland, Kildare boasts the world renowned racecourses including the Curragh, Punchestown and Naas, all of which are enjoyable family days out. A county steeped in history, means lots of opportunity for family day trips (with no entry fee) to the many nearby holy wells, high crosses and hill forts across the Kildare countryside. Legend has it that the Irish mythological legend, Fionn mac Cumhaill, held the ‘Set’ at the Hill of Allen, which is always a popular destination for families to visit and explore. Kildare is lucky enough to have 2 Gino’s Gelato stores, our Junction 14 Mayfield store opened in 2020 and is the perfect stop on your day trip while there is also a shop located in the popular White Water Shopping Centre in Newbridge town, where all of the family will be spoilt for choice with all of the shopping outlets available there.
6. With so much to do in DUBLIN, we saved this for our final stop! Dublin city, the capital, is filled with so many great things to do with the family, which will excite every age bracket. You could take a stroll around Dublin city centre and visit some of the landmark sites such as the Molly Malone statue and Trinity College, both of which are just a stone throw from our two Gino’s locations on Grafton street. Gelato on the go! Or how about visiting the northside of the city where there’s numerous fun attractions including the Phoenix Park, the GPO History Museum, Croke Park Stadium and the National Botanic Gardens. If you find yourself on the northside of the liffey rest assured you can still visit Gino’s with our branch located on Henry Street on the North side of the city. All of Dublin’s largest shopping centres such as Blanchardstown, Liffey Valley, and Dundrum are additional locations for Gino’s, so whether you’re doing a family day out or strolling around why not pop into us for your favourite Gelato and get your family on trend with your ‘Gelato on the go’!
Happy Exploring, and remember its making fun family memories that count!
Happy Gelating!
