THE SCHOOL TOUR-WHEN LEARNING AND FUN COLLIDE

School trips not only provide a welcome break in routine for both students and teachers but can enhance learning, create a fun, bonding experience, and ensure that your child will be making great memories to treasure in years to come.

Adventure Awaits at Dún Laoghaire Harbour

Ready to swap the classroom for the coastline? At the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat School (INSS), they’ve spent over 40 years turning “school days” into “best days ever”.

For younger explorers (Junior Infants to 4th Class), the Sea Explorers Programme offers a hands-on outdoor classroom. Led by retired principal Muriel Rumball, students explore marine ecology through rock pooling, beach discovery and seal-spotting boat trips. As an SFI Curious Minds Discover Centre, these tours can even contribute toward your school’s SFI Curious Minds Awards.

Older students in 5th and 6th Class can take the helm with Watersports Tours, featuring:

• Sailing & Kayaking – thrilling sessions navigating the waves
• Mega SUPs & Rafting – team-building challenges within the safe harbour waters

Full Provision: All gear is provided, including wetsuits and buoyancy aids, along with qualified instructors and hot shower facilities.

Whether you're planning a one-off end-of-year tour or a multi-week extra-curricular programme following the Irish Sailing syllabus, INSS will tailor each visit to suit your class.

Book now:
Email: sailing@inss.ie
Tel: 01 284 4195

ESB Ardnacrusha Power Station Tours – Summer 2026

Step inside one of Ireland’s greatest engineering achievements this summer as ESB Ardnacrusha Power Station opens its doors once again to school groups and the public for free guided tours.

A favourite with thousands of visitors each year, the Ardnacrusha experience offers a rare opportunity to explore Ireland’s first hydro-electric power station and discover how it helped power a nation.

Commissioned in 1929, the Shannon hydro-electric scheme was one of the most ambitious engineering projects ever undertaken in Ireland. Built by 5,000 workers over four years, the project cost more than IR£5 million — almost 20% of Ireland’s GDP at the time. With an original capacity of 86MW, the station was once capable of meeting the country’s entire electricity demand.

Today, it still plays an important role in Ireland’s energy mix, contributing approximately 2% of total installed electricity capacity.

What to Expect

This engaging 90-minute guided tour includes:

• The story behind the creation of the Shannon Scheme
• How hydro-electric power works
• The impact electrification has had on Irish homes, farms and industry
• Stunning views from the Head Race above the turbines
• A visit to the turbine floor and historic archive room
• Insights into ESB’s Net Zero by 2040 strategy

Tour Dates

School Tours:
25 May – 26 June 2026

Public Tours:
29 June – 4 September 2026

Days: Monday–Friday (excluding public holidays)
Duration: Approximately 90 minutes
Group Size: Up to 30 people

For full details and bookings visit:
https://esb.ie/who-we-are/ardnacrusha-tours-2026

Dream Point Experience – Dublin

Looking for a school tour that goes beyond the ordinary?

The Dream Point Experience at Point Square is redefining school outings with a fully immersive sensory adventure designed especially for primary school children.

The experience is a one-way journey through seven imaginative rooms, each designed to spark creativity, encourage movement and inspire curiosity.

Students can:

• Walk through a sky of giant floating balloons
• Watch a 360-degree immersive educational film
• Bring their drawings to life in the interactive Draw Alive Room
• Explore glowing inflatable play zones
• Create light art in the magical Light-Painting Corridor
• Dive into Ireland’s largest ball pit with over 250,000 pearl balls

Dream Point also connects directly to the primary curriculum, supporting:

• Visual Arts through colour and design
• SPHE and wellbeing through social play
• PE through movement and coordination

Teachers receive curriculum-linked worksheets to continue learning back in the classroom.

The venue is located at the end of the Luas Red Line and offers:

• Easy coach access
• Secure bag storage
• Designated lunch areas
• A dedicated guide for each group

Experiences last 60–120 minutes depending on age group.

Book your tour:
Email: groups@theatreoflight.ie
Tel: +353 89 989 3055

Astropark School Tours

Looking for an unforgettable school tour that keeps primary students active and entertained? Astropark Coolock and Tallaght have you covered.

For just €24 per student, your class will enjoy four hours on site, including:

• 2.5 hours of supervised activities – Nerf Wars, Bubble Football, inflatable games and more
• 30-minute lunch break (food not included)
• 1 hour of free play on the pitches

Bookings for May and June are now open.

Secure your spot online at:
www.astropark.ie

Flynn Park – Adventure Awaits

Located in Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, Flynn Park is an exciting outdoor adventure destination surrounded by scenic countryside.

Students can challenge themselves with a wide range of physical and educational activities, including:

• Aqualough – Dublin’s only floating water park with slides, trampolines and climbing walls
• Adventure Tower – 40-foot high aerial trekking, ziplining and climbing challenges
• King Kong High Ropes Octagon – suspended rope obstacles testing balance and agility
• Paintball with trained instructors
• Splatmaster – low-velocity paintball for ages 8–12
• Archery using traditional recurve bows
• Operation Mindfall – an outdoor escape adventure with secret-agent technology
• Outdoor Laser Tag – high-energy team challenges

Safety is the park’s top priority, with highly trained instructors supervising every activity.

Hot food is available from the Food Truck, with outdoor sheltered picnic areas.

Perfect for school tours, camps, birthdays and family days out.

Find out more at:
www.flynnpark.ie

Jump Zone – Trampoline & Inflatable Adventure Parks

Looking for a school trip that really gets students moving? Jump Zone offers an electrifying mix of fun, fitness and teamwork.

With parks in Santry, Sandyford and Liffey Valley, students aged 5+ can enjoy massive trampoline courts and exciting inflatable challenges.

Safety is central to every visit, with:

• Qualified first-aiders on site
• Trained supervisors monitoring all activities
• High-quality safety features throughout the parks

School packages start from just €14 per pupil, making Jump Zone an affordable option for school trips and PE outings. The parks can host groups of up to 150 students.

Highlights include:

• Sandyford: Giant airbag zone, trapeze jumps, drop slides and racing assault courses
• Santry: Ireland’s largest inflatable adventure park
• Liffey Valley & Sandyford: Trampoline courts, dodgeball arenas and Ninja Zones

Jump Zone is more than a playground — it’s a vibrant space where school trips become active, social and unforgettable.

Find out more:
www.jumpzone.ie
Tel: +353 1 691 7231

Butlers Chocolate Factory Tour

Get ready to go chasing chocolate waterfalls at Butlers Chocolates Factory Tour.

This exciting and interactive experience brings the story of Butlers Chocolates to life.

Pupils are welcomed by a giant Golden Ticket and a mesmerising Chocolate Waterfall, setting the stage for a sweet adventure.

Highlights include:

• Immersive storytelling about the history of chocolate
• A birds-eye view of the factory floor from a glass balcony
• A live chocolate-making demonstration
• Decorating a chocolate creation to take home

Tours are tailored to suit different age groups and can accommodate up to 75 pupils.

Teachers, SNAs and group leaders attend free at a 1:10 ratio.

Facilities include:

• Secure outdoor picnic area
• Curriculum-linked worksheets
• Coach parking and full accessibility

Conveniently located close to the M1 / M50 junction.

Bookings:
Email: tour@butlers.ie
Tel: 01 671 0599