Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
During the winter months, there are lots of venues offering indoor educational visits and many providers who will bring their mobile outreach workshops to your school. This can be a great way to introduce a class to a new and interactive way of looking at subjects such as science, drama, history or nature studies. Many local visitor attractions are open all year round and offer indoor options for winter educational school trips. This is also a good time to start planning your annual school tour in spring.
Lismore’s Mobile Scientists take to the road
Why not invite the Lismore Mobile Scientists to your school and set your scientists on their way to becoming the innovators of the future? Choose from a range of topics that are all curriculum based and hands-on. Lismore Heritage Centre has almost 20 years experience in the Primary Science Sector.
Choose from: GUTS OF DIGESTION: A gory look at real food passing from the mouth all the way to the end! Students will be delighted and disgusted all at once. CSI CLASSROOM: Suspect everyone in this forensic science workshop with real life crime solving science, students get hands on and become detectives for the day.
ASTRONAUT UNIVERSITY: Take your class or astronauts on a journey through the solar system and beyond! Get ready for the blast off finale. CHEMISTRY KIDS: A look at colourful chemicals and the pH scale. Students put smelly cabbages to good use and test, touch and tinker with everyday chemicals you may just find lurking under your sink. SHOCKING SCIENCE: Light up your classroom with our workshop on electricity and circuits. See the e wonder of a plasma ball and end with a fiery finale courtesy of a fuse! For juniors to 1st Class there is a Junior Science Roadshow which is an hour of experiments with plenty of interaction and some fizzes, whizzes and bangs! Please contact Lismore Heritage Centre on 058-54975 or e-mail rleddy@lismoreheritage.ie
School Trips at the Hunt Museum
Hunt Museum has an eclectic mix of workshops which cover many different time periods, themes and materials and caters for all ages from Junior Infants right up to sixth class. Younger children will enjoy fun and engaging activities to introduce them to the idea of the museum. It is important that from a young age they view the museum as a friendly environment and become comfortable with how they can use the museum. For five to seven year olds, there are discovery trails such as ‘All about the Hunt’ and ‘Animal Hunt’ where children are given tasks to complete using the collection and learn new facts in the process. For third to sixth class, more tailored programs complement classroom studies with Cave Art, Medieval Society, and Art and Society in Ancient Egypt workshops. Students have the chance not just to view the museum but also to get involved in activities which help them discover for themselves what life was like in the past. A great place to bring your classroom learning to life - trained Docents are provided to lead school workshops and tours, with all materials provided. Find out what the museum can offer your class at http://www.huntmuseum.com/Learning/Primary-Schools.aspx call 061-312833 or email: education@huntmuseum.com
Mayfield Birds of Prey will come to your school and provide an entertaining and educational display on the ancient art of falconry. Children can enjoy a close up and hands on approach, either indoors or outdoors.
Meet, handle and fly the birds, and see barn owls "Boo" and "Bobbin" in full flight! This wonderful experience gives you the opportunity to capture the magnificent birds of prey in action.
Your school can also visit Mayfield Birds of Prey in the historic grounds of Kilmacthomas Work Houses, Co Waterford. Tailor made school tour packages can include a Hawk Walk, static display, owl encounter, or birds of prey display. Lunch can be organised for an additional fee. Mayfield Birds of Prey will ensure your school workshop or visit will be a fun filled, exciting and a memorable experience for your class! For more information, please call William on 086-2134367 or email mayfieldbirdsofprey@gmail.com
HANDS ON SCIENCE can bring alive the awe and wonder of science in children with a high energy interactive science show or choice of workshops at your school. Don’t Play With Your Food! shows last for one hour and suit 1st to 6th class - with over 30 experiments that can be repeated in school. Explore the physics chemistry and biology of dinner time! Workshops are suitable from Junior Infants upwards, where each child gets to be a real scientist and learn by “doing”. The popular ‘Top 10’ workshop is a mixture of cool experiments with “WOW” factor! New science Electronics workshop “Get Connected” uses Snap Circuit kits, and others include “Bubbles Galore” “Chemical Chaos” and “May the Force be with You”. Workshops can be tailor made to suit your school with age appropriate experiments. Both show and workshops support the National Curriculum. Follow up teacher’s notes, pupil worksheets and suggestions for further work provided. Please contact Siobhan Devlin BSc.H.Dip.Ed on 0879506527 or email: siobhan@handsonscience.ie
School Tours at King John’s Castle Limerick
King John’s Castle in the heart of Medieval Limerick allows your students to experience 800 years of history all brought to life in a stunning exhibition. 21st Century touch-screen technology and 3D models will connect students to tales of Siege and Warfare. Interact with costumed guides who will tell you secrets and scandals of Castle life. Meet the blacksmith, moneyer, normal soldier and siege women of the time! School visits last two hours. Plan your visit to King John’s Castle - reservations necessary: please call 061 360788 and email: reservations@shannonheritage.com
The Maxi Zoo Responsible Pet Ownership Road Show is a FREE education programme for primary schools to help educate the next generation on how to be responsible pet owners. The Maxi Zoo team spends about 40 minutes discussing pet care with each group at your school and children get to meet and greet the pets on the day! Road Shows are suitable for 4 -12 year olds and are adapted with age appropriate information for different classes, so that children learn and have fun at the same time. The team discuss how to care for pets; talk about animal welfare – how to be kind to animals and never harm them; introduce different animals such as rabbits and reptiles; and teach children how to act safely around dogs.
Maxi Zoo is Europe’s largest pet retailer and Maxi Zoo Ireland has recently won Pet Store of the Year from Retail Excellence Ireland. They have a fantastic website full of excellent articles on animals www.maxizoo.ie and a fun page on Facebook at FB/maxizooireland
If you would like to apply for a FREE Maxi Zoo Responsible Pet Ownership visit for your school, please email: administration.team@ie.maxizoo.eu call 021 4208702 or write to: Responsible Pet Ownership Road Show Dept, Unit 7 Westpoint Business Park, Ballincollig, Co. Cork
QUALITY HOTEL & LEISURE CLUB CLONAKILTY is just a short 45 minute drive from Cork City, with nearby attractions such as West Cork Model Railway Village, Lisselan Gardens and Michael Collins museum. Tailor made Quality School Tour options are 45 mins swimming; Jungle Gym hour in 2 floors indoor activity centre; kids movie with popcorn & mineral; Lanigan’s Restaurant food, drinks & ice creams, free tea/coffee for teachers/parents. Choose 2 activities €10 per child, 3 activities €16 per child, or 4 activities €19 per child. Booking essential on 02388 36400, email:info@qualityhotelclonakilty.com, visit www.qualityhotelclonakilty.com
WEST CORK MODEL RAILWAY VILLAGE in beautiful Clonakilty is a great place for school tours! Explore the interpretative room and play areas, for a fun and educational tour of the scaled models of West Cork towns of old. Go back in time to 1940’s West Cork with fully scaled models of towns along the railway line, and the people who lived and worked along the line. Local history is brought to life as children can get in around the models and delve into their heritage at the child friendly interpretative centre. Let off steam in the outdoor and indoor play areas and take a Choo Choo train tour of Clonakilty - to strike a really nice balance between educational and fun activities. Located within easy distance for most Cork schools, for a tour that is fully planned and self contained for children from 2nd class up. Call Kim on 02388 33224 www.modelvillage.ie
Crazy Glazing is a “Paint-Your-Own Pottery” Studio on Main Street, Youghal, Co. Cork, at the foot of the famous Clock Gate Tower. Catering for up to 40 painters, Crazy Glazing is a vibrant, exciting and colourful venue for School Tours, Birthday Parties & Holiday Camps or just to drop in and paint a piece of pottery. Open 6 days a week, all year round, Crazy Glazing was recently featured on RTE Nationwide (27/2/15) -have a peek on RTE Player! Crazy Glazing also offers Signature Plates for family events such as christenings, Holy Communion & Confirmations, and birthdays. Artwork is created on the plate and then glazed and fired for you to take to your event and have guests write their wishes on it. Call Siobhan Brennan 086-211-1132 FB/crazyglazingceramics.
It’s that time of year again when you will be organising your school tour and this year PERKS ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE in Youghal, Co Cork has some fantastic NEW packages for your school which they know the kids will love! Option 1: SPLASH & PLAY: PERKS has teamed up with Aura Youghal Leisure Centre to offer you a great day out with one hour swimming, one hour play in Blackbeard’s Adventure Play or one hour Bowling at PERKS, plus a choice of Kiddie Meals from MacPerkies Diner. Aura has a Learner Fun Feature swimming pool for non swimmers and younger children and a 65 metre slide.
Option 2: LEARN & PLAY: PERKS and Youghal Tourism offer a fantastic walking tour of the old town. Youghal is situated at the mouth of the stunning Blackwater River and one of the best examples of a Norman Walled Port in Ireland today. Enjoy the Youghal Heritage Trail Walking Tour and see for yourself the 13th Century town walls - a striking reminder of Youghal's importance as a medieval port town. Other highlights include the famous Clock Tower and Tyntes Castle. The most famous of Youghal's buildings is Myrtle Grove, once the home of Sir Walter Raleigh. Raleigh is said to have planted the first potatoes in Ireland in Youghal Receive a personalised certificate on completion of the tour and take part in a fun history quiz. Free tour for accompanying teachers. Guided Walking Tour of Youghal and one hour play Blackbeard’s Adventure Play or one hour Bowling at PERKS, plus a choice of Kiddie Meals from MacPerkies Diner.
Option 3: FUN FUN FUN! PERKS Entertainment Centre offers a veritable feast of exciting activities designed to enhance interaction and encourage play with activities to suit primary and secondary school pupils, such as Bowling, Lazer, Kiddie Rides, Blackbeard’s Adventure Play and lots more. PERKS can organise tours for a few hours entertainment or for an hour to break up a long journey. FREE Bowling and Lazer for teachers! So whether you are passing through, or are looking for a fun day out, PERKS can adjust tour packages to suit individual requirements. Prices from €8.30 per person. Remember to book early to avoid disappointment.
Call PERKS Entertainment Centre on 024-92438 www.perksfunfair.com
LEAHY’S OPEN FARM, based near Midleton, East Cork, is educational, adventurous and seriously fun for all children from junior infants to 6th class. Children can feed and pet a huge variety of animals such as hens, ducks, alpaca, and a camel. Play with the rabbits and mice; touch and maybe even hold Houdini the snake! Facilities include large outdoor play areas, brand new soft indoor Playbarn, Quad and Barrel Train rides, a Climbing Frame, an Adventure Trail, a Crazy Golf course, a large maze, a big ‘drop’ slide and pedal go-karts. History and education: experience a 100 year old dwelling house on a working farm and see farm machinery operated at this time. Discover tradesmen tools, horse drawn machinery and the first Irish public transport. See the Old Irish Crannog! Hot food available in the coffee shop or bring a packed lunch to enjoy in the heated restaurant. Souvenir gift shop also available. Prices €8 per child - one adult free per 10 children. Complimentary tea & scones for all free adults. Leahy’s also offer an all-inclusive package where they can organise your bus service too! Call 021 4668461/086 8560461 or email: info@leahysopenfarm.ie www.leahysopenfarm.ie
THE ANIMAL ROADSHOW travels nationwide offering a unique education program and is a great and easy alternative to organising school tours! Meet a range of exotic animals, in the comfort of your own classroom/venue – informal, safe and interactive for all ages. Kids will go wild to meet a variety of creatures including corn snakes, tenrecs, owls, guinea pigs, rabbits, tortoise and geckos. Wild Art and Animal Tattoo packages are also available. The Animal Roadshow are celebrating 10 years in business and offering schools 10% DISCOUNT when they mention PRIMARY TIMES! Animal Parties, Art Workshops, Face painting and more can be booked for your child’s party, Communions, Confirmations and other family events. Call Marie 087 6261553 or email: animalroadshow@gmail.com www.theanimalroadshow.com
HANDS ON SCIENCE offers a few options to make your school trip one they remember. Hands on Workshops adopt a ‘hands on’ approach, and are suitable for up to 30 children. Tailor made workshops are suitable for all primary age ranges and typically last 1 ½ hours. How about a Bubbles workshop for Infants or an Electronics or Chemical Chaos workshop for older children? Interactive Demonstrations - Don’t Play With Your Food as featured in RDS Science Live, are suitable for larger groups (up to 100 children - some will assist with experiments!) and shows last 1 ½ hours. Workshops are accredited towards DPS Awards of Excellence. Hands on Science can either visit your school- or if you are planning a trip to Kinsale, why not combine it with a workshop? To discuss what works best for you contact Siobhan Devlin on 087 9506527 or email: info@handsonscience.ie or visit www.handsonscience.ie Hands on Science is also available for birthday parties, afterschool club and camps throughout the year.
Teachers planning their school tour should ensure that a visit to WILTON SHOPPING CENTRE is part of their itinerary in Cork. Wilton Shopping Centre welcomes school tours all year round and offers a host of facilities that will help take the strain out of your journey. There is free ample bus parking so parking is never as issue. Relax and unwind in the selection of coffee shops offering an array of freshly baked pastries and cakes. With over 60 shops under one roof and big brand names such as Swamp, New Look, Penneys, Claire’s Accessories, Lifestyle Sports and Game Stop, and more at Wilton Shopping Centre, there's something for everyone. So whether it is a little window shopping or somewhere to spend that hard earned pocket money, you will be spoilt for choice at Wilton Shopping Centre. Wilton Shopping Centre is open 9am - 7pm Monday to Wednesday and 9am - 9pm on Thursday and Friday. Saturday opening hours are 9am - 7pm, and Sunday /Bank Holidays from 12pm-6pm. For more information see www.wiltonshoppingcentre.ie or call 021 4546944.
BALLYMALOE COOKERY SCHOOL has a wonderful organic farm and formal gardens to explore, with hens & cockerels roaming free. School tours enjoy freshly made scones, biscuits and homemade lemonade before exploring fruit & kitchen gardens. Find out about herbs in the formal herb garden, while younger kids will love to run around the box hedging. Puzzle your way around the growing Celtic maze and wonderful Shell house, before going through to the extensive glass house to see organic vegetables grown for the cookery school, and pigs and cows in their fields. Open all year round - Wood Fired Pizza's available every Saturday 12:30 – 4pm. 021 4646785 www.cookingisfun.ie
CORK ADVENTURE DAY is packed full of fun, education, adventure for a day to remember in the Rebel County for €22.50 per child – or only €18.95* when booked before May 1st 2015. Your day includes a visit to the award winning LIFETIME LAB, Corks Primary Science Centre where you explore as environmental detectives investigating and discovering the former Victorian Waterworks. Step back in time at CORK CITY GAOL & HERITAGE CENTRE and discover what 19th/early 20th century life was really like in Cork – inside and outside prison walls. Enjoy 10 pin bowling or Cosmo’s Funworld indoor play area at THE PLANET ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE. Finally, finish off with lunch at McDonalds (FREE lunch for teachers with every 15 children).
Just one call to Denis for ‘Cork Adventure Day’ at 021 428 8056 books this great day out for your school or group and receive an itinerary on receipt of booking deposit from your group.
Zipit Forest Adventures brings their NEW adrenaline pumping, high wire adventure course to Farran Forest Park, Co. Cork. This wonderful Forest Park is surrounded by walking trails with a children’s playground and wildlife enclosure which holds a small herd of Red and Fallow Deer. It’s a great opportunity for children to enjoy an exhilarating and challenging outdoor activity in a natural setting, building confidence, teamwork and self-esteem. Children feel a great sense of achievement overcoming each element as the circuit becomes progressively more challenging. Price is €15 per child - supervising teachers go free - and it is recommended that you allow up to four hours for this fun and adventurous activity. For the all important sixth class tour, there is a Blue Circuit for age 12+ with the longest zip line at 150 metres. The Blue circuit is a firm favourite among older children and guarantees a school tour to remember! There are three other circuits for different heights, ages and abilities. Children from the third class and upwards can participate, as long as they are at least one metre in height. The children are fitted with a harness by a trained instructor and required to complete an initiation course before venturing onwards. They work to their own ability and can repeat a circuit if they are not comfortable progressing to higher circuits. Zipit operates to the highest safety standards and all instructors are fully qualified and the course is inspected and approved. Other Zipit locations, Tibradden Woods, Dublin, 16 and Lough Key Forest Park Co. Roscommon. Contact 051 858008 Email: info@zipit.ie. Follow on Facebook/zipitfa or Twitter @zipitfa
WIN A ZIPIT SCHOOL TOUR! SEE OUR COMPETITIONS PAGE AND ENTER ONLINE AT PRIMARYTIMES.IE
Visit the newly opened MUNSTER RUGBY EXPERIENCE MUSEUM at THOMOND PARK STADIUM! Open since summer 2014 at its new home in the Fan Zone area, with easier access for coaches and improved facilities, the Museum is an ideal stop on your School Tour day. Located close to many attractions in the Shannon region, why not take in some sporting history as well as Irish history? Take a guided tour of the spectacular Thomond Park Stadium, from a seat in the home dressing room to a walk down the tunnel. Also included is a visit to the interactive museum and specially commissioned film showcasing the proud heritage of Munster Rugby. With ample parking and easy access to all major routes, the stadium is perfect for primary and secondary school tours. QUOTE ‘PRIMARY TIMES’ WHEN BOOKING FOR €5 PER PUPIL ON 061 421100 OR EMAIL: museum@thomondpark.ie TO CLAIM THIS SPECIAL SCHOOL TOUR RATE!
KILLARNEY NATIONAL PARK EDUCATION CENTRE is ideally located in The Knockreer Demesne, close to Killarney town and within easy reach of a variety of habitats for a class to explore. Knockreer House is the perfect location for primary level nature study with its safe environment, teaching laboratories and picturesque views of the National Park. The Education Centre is an Eco Centre (Green Flag) and is designated DPSM centre - achieve your Award of Excellence. Primary School Nature Days take in a wide range of SESE linked activities, with experiments, pond-dipping, mammal trapping, scavenger hunts and ecologically themed games. Visit under the Heritage in Schools Scheme and SEAI programme and workshops can help your school obtain the Green Flag. Bookings for Environmental Easter and Summer Camps now being taken. Contact 064 6635960 Email: knpeducationcentre@ahg.gov.ie www.killarneynationalpark.ie/educentre.html
THE HUNT MUSEUM in Limerick has a wide range of school tours from senior infants to 6th class and beyond! Interactive workshops are led by expert guides and structured to both entertain and educate. Explore Early Cave Art, Ancient Egypt, 800 years of fashion, Medieval Society and more! ALL NEW exciting Interactive History Show for 2015 allows students the chance to handle replica artefacts from the Museum’s remarkable collection whilst filling them with knowledge on your selected period, from Middle Ages, Viking and Tudor. Day-long school tours can be organised alongside a visit to Lough Gur Heritage Centre, The Learning Hub, Thomond Park or Milano’s Pizza. Specially designed loan boxes and outreach programmes are great for those that can’t make it to Limerick. The Hunt Museum has educational activities all year round to promote learning, fun and creativity – many are completely free to families and have won Primary Times STAR Awards for three years running. Check out this year’s selection of Easter and Summer Camps, workshops, creative arts & crafts sessions and one-off events. For School Tour bookings, please contact the education team at 061 312833 or email education@huntmuseum.com www.huntmuseum.com
Leisureplex Cork offers an extensive range of School Tour packages to suit all ages. Choose from a range of activities including bowling and Quasar to create your perfect School Tour day. Bowl your way to the best tour ever with fantastic bowling lanes or battle it out in Quasar and see who the Top Gun is. Can’t decide on one activity? Leisureplex has it covered with a range of amazing packages which allows you to select any two activities to create the School Tour trip you want. Mid-week offers from €4per child. Special group rate offers (Cork only) include: one activity from €4 and two activities, bowling and quasar from just €8 per child (Mon – Thurs). For more information on Leisureplex Cork group rates, special offers and to book a School Tour, visit www.leisureplex.ie
BALLYHASS LAKES ACTIVITY CENTRE added Ireland's largest cable wakeboarding facility last season and it has gone from strength to strength. It is of major benefit to Munster's School community with courses for this new lifestyle sport being offered over an entire term and can be implemented as a PE module. The 40 acre site has two spring water lakes, natural rock faces, and many adventure facilities. Ballyhass is very popular with schools groups of all ages as it combines water sports like kayaking and wakeboarding, with high ropes, 160m zip line, low ropes, rock climbing and abseiling adventures; and a complete indoor arena with climbing wall. Team building for GAA, rugby and soccer are great for school sporting squads. School tours limited to a one day visit find Ballyhass very attractive as all activities are conducted onsite so four different activities are easily fitted into one day, with supervision provided by the centre's own instructors. This year has seen major improvements to the shop and hang out areas making the lakes a perfect chill out spot. Enquiries to 022 27773 E: info@ballyhasslakes.ie www.ballyhasslakes.ie www.ballyhasswakepark.ie
Step back in time and discover Ireland’s rich and fascinating past with Shannon Heritage School Tours! Special Offer : Book 2 centres for €7.00 per pupil or book 3 centres for €10.00 per pupil!
Bunratty Folk Park, set on 26 acres of parkland, is a stunning recreation of 19th century Ireland with farmhouses, picnic area, a watermill, church, magical walled garden, farm animals and a village street. Let off steam in the new playground with Viking Head playship, hammock. zipwire, swings, slides and more!Open all year round. Book a visit to Fossett’s Circus on June 17th, 18th and 19th for the amazing price €10.00* per pupil (includes Bunratty Castle Folk Park admission).
King John’s Castle in the heart of Medieval Limerick is a brand new visitor experience with interpretive activities, games, exhibitions, 3D models, discovery drawers, education room, and exciting cannon shooting game! Explore the busy courtyard, Great Hall and gallery, blacksmiths forge and towers. Open all year round. Plan your visit to King John’s Castle with the help of the new Education Officer, Linda Hall at 061 370500 or email: education@shannonheritage.com
Take a time travel adventure at Craggaunowen The Living Past, near Quin, Co. Clare - a stunning recreation of Celtic Ireland on 50 acres of woodlands. See a Crannog (Lake dwelling), Ring Fort, Iron Age roadway, outdoor cooking site, the Brendan Voyage boat, wild boar and soay sheep. Picnic areas, tea rooms, worksheets, and coach parking all available. Open Easter Saturday until end August 2015. *Excludes all other offers
School Tour Adventures at Tayto Park 2015 is shaping up to be a monumental one for Tayto Park with the launch of their new rollercoaster which will have a strong Irish mythological theme and will not only be Europe's largest inverted wooden roller coaster, but also the ONLY one of its kind in Europe. Other new attractions include the ‘Air Race’ ride, the ‘Rotator’ high speed spinning ride, the ‘Sky Tower’ 10 meter vertical climb, road train, steam train track ride and the only 5D cinema in Ireland! Finally, the new ‘Dinosaurs Alive’ attraction is an awe-inspiring, life-like animatronic dinosaur spectacular which will delight all ages.
A visit to Tayto Park is like no other school trip in Ireland. With over 100 attractions, including exotic wildlife, play areas, thrilling experiences, great food and tour of The Tayto Factory, it’s an unforgettable day with plenty of educational and physical activities for every age. School Packages: Full day admission includes access to Tayto Park, a guided Zoo tour, visit to The Tayto Factory Tour, activity worksheets after your visit and free Tayto crisps for every pupil. €10 per pupil, €12 includes Adventure Zone token and €15 per pupil includes lunch & Adventure Zone token. Extra Educational Experience workshops €5 per pupil. Tayto Park, Kilbrew, Ashbourne, Co. Meath. For more information call 01-8351999 or email info@taytopark.ie www.TaytoPark.ie
Situated on the beautiful East Cork coastline, TRABOLGAN HOLIDAY VILLAGE provides special day group tour packages from as little as €9.50 per person. From pre-school to primary school groups, second level to foreign students, special occasions including communions, confirmations & birthday parties there is a package for all ages. Be prepared for a fantastic fun day out filled with exciting and energetic activities such as Trabolgan Tower with abseiling, climbing and zip wire as well as archery, go karts, combat laser and exhilarating Water Walkerz. Make a splash in the indoor subtropical pool paradise with a super waterslide and enjoy the excitement of the sea as the wave maker produces the crashing sensation of real waves.
Play outside on hard surface and lined tennis courts, an astro-turf all weather flood lit pitch, 9 hole fun crazy golf course; or indoors in the massive spilt level sports hall for badminton, tennis, soccer, volleyball and basketball. Spoilt for choice with two outdoor play areas, children can choose from the eco-friendly, state of the art playground or a Wooden Wonderland playground nestled in the woods. There are also indoor play areas to choose from. Jungle Safari has everything from slides and tunnels to ball ponds, punch bags and rope bridges for more all-weather fun. Florrie’s Den is an exciting indoor activity kids’ venue for children to climb, swing and crawl through padded undergrowth. With mouth watering health food options from onsite food outlets, Trabolgan has everything you need all under one roof and this year sees Trabolgan celebrate its 30th birthday. To book your tour call 021 4661551 Email: groups@trabolgan.com
TIPPERARY COUNTY MUSEUM welcomes school groups - guided tours with activity sheets are available from 3rd - 6th class, free of charge. Art and craft workshops based on the seasons and calendar customs, and archaeology workshops such as pottery, ogham necklaces and a dig in a box are available on request. Booking is essential – call Julia on 0761 065564 Email: julia.walsh@tipperarycoco.ie www.tipperarycoco.ie
Visit DUNMORE ADVENTURE for the best school tours in 2015! Nestled at the water's edge in one of the most picturesque villages in the South East, Dunmore Adventure is a purpose built activity centre situated at the water’s edge, ideal for a hassle-free, fun filled school tour. Dunmore Adventure provides school tours for children from age five+ and caters for all abilities. Friendly, experienced instructors give your group a first class experience with kayaking, archery, pedal boats, climbing, abseiling, Wipeout Aquapark, water trampolines and all new Adventure Cave Challenge. All equipment provided, with showers and changing facilities on site. New for 2015: Adventure Cave Challenge - a unique adventure and one of a kind in Ireland! Complimentary tea/coffee for teachers and bus drivers, and tuck shop for pupils. 'Savage place, great fun, best school tour ever!' - Kady. 'We had an AWESOME day - thanks so much!' - Chloe. Call 051 383783 for special School Tour rate, email: info@dunmoreadventure.com and see videos of activities at www.dunmoreadventure.com
WIN A FREE SCHOOL TOUR WITH LISMORE HERITAGE CENTRE!
Lismore Heritage Centre is offering one lucky class the opportunity to WIN their School Tour! School tours include The Towers Woodland Trail, uncover the science and secret history of this enchanting woodland, explore the world of Robert Boyle, father of modern chemistry - by conducting science experiments, solve the puzzles and have fun following the maths trails and history trails in Lismore town, then get arty turning a glove puppet into a wonderful souvenir. Orienteering available for 5th & 6th classes - learn how to read maps, find controls and have some fun in teams of two or more. If your school is interested in winning a free school tour this year please contact Alice on 058 54975 or email: adonoghue@lismoreheritage.ie BEFORE the Easter Mid-term! Visit www.discoverlismore.com and find on Facebook and Twitter @Lismore HC
WATERFORD TREASURES- THREE MUSEUMS in the VIKING TRIANGLE
Not only is there the House of Waterford Crystal, but three fantastic museums for visitors to see and an innovative walking tour called the ‘Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle’. Only 15 minutes away from the seaside town of Tramore, Co. Waterford, 15 minutes away from Mount Congreve Gardens, Kilmeaden, Co. Waterford, 20 minutes from the fishing village Dunmore East, 24 minutes from the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross, 30 minutes from the Copper Coast Geo Park, only 35 minutes from Kilkenny and an hour from Carlow.
The award-winning all weather guided tour of the oldest part of Ireland’ s oldest city, the ‘ Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle’ , is an interactive fun guided tour of the Viking Triangle, accessing six national monuments (duration one hour).The larger-than-life guide speeds you through the streets and through 1100 years of Waterford's history from the Vikings to the Victorians. Indulge your inner actor - you might get to be Strongbow or Aoife and get married, you might be Thomas Francis Meagher flying the Irish flag for the first time in Ireland.
Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle
This guided tour, the ‘ Epic Tour of the Viking Triangle’ , includes access, as mentioned, to six national monuments ranging in date from 1190AD to 1783, it is a wonderful way for visitors to get an overview of Irish history both the historic and archaeological treasures and also experience the developments in architecture over a period of a thousand years as visitors transverse the Viking Triangle. We market the experience as ‘ From the Vikings to the Victorians - A thousand years of History in a Thousand Paces’ . The visit includes Reginald’ s Tower first mentioned in 1088, Greyfriars Medieval Franciscan friary 1240, Choristers’ Hall 1274, the Mayor’ s Wine Vault 1448, the Bishop’ s Palace 1741 and if there is not a church service in progress then Christ Church Cathedral 1773 is also included. It’ s a fun engaging tour and includes many props to engage and entertain your clients with numerous photo opportunities. This unique tour avoids having you, our guests, walk around in the rain, as most of the time you are indoors being regaled by our professionally trained tour guide, where else would you experience an overview of Irish history in an hour!
Medieval Museum
Treasures of Medieval Waterford
Viking Triangle, Waterford City
Currently ranked # 1 attraction in Waterford on Tripadvisor.com. The only museum in Europe built on National monuments, the 13th century Choristers’ Hall and the 15th century Mayor’s Wine Vault. Don’t miss the unique Cloth of Gold vestments which were lost for hundreds of years after they were hidden from Cromwell’s army, the Great Charter Roll which was viewed by Queen Elizabeth II on her visit to Ireland and the only piece of clothing to survive King Henry VIII’s reign, ‘The Cap of Maintenance’. Take the multimedia handheld guide or enjoy a family friendly tour with a costumed performer.
www.waterfordtreasures.com
Open daily year round including Sundays and Bank Holidays
Bishop’s Palace
Treasures of Georgian Waterford
Viking Triangle, Waterford City
This magnificent Georgian residence is a must-see attraction and is rated #3 attraction in Waterford on Tripadvisor.com. Experience authentic grand eighteenth century living in this beautiful Georgian building. Don’t miss the oldest surviving piece of Waterford Crystal in the world dating back to 1789, and the Napoleon Bonaparte’s Mourning Cross; the only one to survive out of the original twelve that were made on his death. Take the multi-media handheld guide or enjoy a family friendly tour with a costumed performer.
www.waterfordtreasures.com
Open daily year round including Sundays and Bank Holidays
Reginald’s Tower
Treasures of Viking Waterford
Viking Triangle, Waterford City
Reginald’s Tower is named after the Viking leader who founded Waterford in 914, making Waterford Ireland’s oldest city. Don’t miss the 9th century sword and weapons from a Viking warrior’s grave and the magnificent 12th century gold kite brooch. Guided tours and multimedia handheld tours available.
www.waterfordtreasures.com
Closed Bank Holiday Mondays
For Waterford Treasures enquiries, please call 051 849646 or email: bookings@waterfordcouncil.ie
www.waterfordtreasures.com FB: WaterfordTreasures Twitter@WFORD_Treasures
"Remember to mention Primary Times to avail of any discounts or special offers when booking or making an enquiry”
