Christmas in Galway for kids

silverwood

Hi,

We're planning a trip to Galway next weekend (9th/10th/11th). It'll be myself, my wife and two kids (5 and 3).

I'd appreciate any recommendations for some Christmas activities planned for then. I know of the market in Eyre Square but I'm particularly looking for things that the kids would like, such as a good Santa visit.

We'll be staying in Gort so anything in south Co. Galway would suit us also.

Thanks in advance!

bonzodog2

Would they be too small for ice skating? There's a big white marquee with a rink inside, in front of the Carlton Hotel on the Dublin Rd (across the road from the Bon Secours hospital).

I don't know if they'd have small enough skates.

ir555

Santa Stuff
http://www.turoepetfarm.com/
or
http://www.aillweecave.ie/

heard pet farm one was good!

Good site here for Loughrea and surrondings...

http://www.loughreaonline.com/loughrea-for-kids.php

Activities (mainly Galway based)
good article here - http://galway.mykidstime.ie/d/things-do/rainy-days/rainy-day-activities-galway

+1 on the milanos recommendation if your eating out in the city...

My two cents..
Enjoy your trip to Galway!

D

cici21

try the ailwee caves for Santa visit, its brilliant. Ther market has slides and a santas grotto too to cater for kids.

silverwood

^^Excellent advice from all, many thanks! Looking forward to it now!:)

deltakilo

If you are going to see Santa in the Aillwee Caves you need to book the tickets in advance.
There is also a Santas Castle near athenry. You can check the website www.santascastle.ie
Some of the money for this goes to the Simon Community.

fishy fishy

for those who don't know, Ailwee Caves are in CLARE not Galway.

Also I think your children are a bit too young to go to this - they have to go into the cave to meet Santa - its more for an older age group - besides which it will be freezing in there.

Muppet2006

fishy fishy wrote: »

for those who don't know, Ailwee Caves are in CLARE not Galway.

Also I think your children are a bit too young to go to this - they have to go into the cave to meet Santa - its more for an older age group - besides which it will be freezing in there.

Op staying in Gort so Aillwee would be ideal. Very suitable for 3 and 5 year olds. Brought mine last year and it was magic. Face painting, puppet show, singing carols down the caves. They're still talking about it.

beardybrewer

I think these guys give Turoe per farm a run for their money: http://www.loughwellfarmpark.ie/

There are several soft play centres in the area listed on galway kids time if you need to burn off some excess energy. Leisureland for a swim is an equal alternative. Combine that with a trip to the aquarium and you have a pretty full day!

biko

Aye, Ailwee was pretty good when I was there ages ago. There some others too but that would be close to Gort.

Arnold Layne

Where is the best Santa to bring the kids to? Is the one in Galway Shopping Centre any good?

biko

Not sure about GC Santa but Ailwee is very good.
There was/is one in Eyre Square too.