17 things to do around Ireland over the Easter holidays

With the meteorologists forecasting slightly warmer weather than average for this time of the year and no Covid restrictions preventing us from travelling to see family and friends this Easter, it’s a time to have fun together, enjoy the longer daylight hours and join in some of the many special events organised throughout the country. Here we include a sample of what’s on offer, some of which will need to be booked in advance.

Easter egg hunts on farms

Newbridge House and Farm near Donabate in north Dublin has created an Easter egg trail throughout the farm which children can follow until April 24th. Young visitors will also enjoy the interactive farm discovery trail where they can learn all about the rare breeds whilst exploring the farmyard, pond and paddocks. newbridgehouseandfarm.com

Blackwater Open Farm, Ballinaclash, Blackwater, Co Wexford is already well known for its indoor and outdoor children's tractor track and pedal go-karting. It will host Easter egg hunts from 12-3pm on Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, April 16th, 17th and 18th. blackwateropenfarm.ie

Clonfert Pet Farm in Clonfert, Maynooth, Co Kildare will host an Easter Festival from April 9th-19th with a fun fair, treasure hunt, teddy bears picnic and face painting. clonfertpetfarm.com

The Nore Valley Park near Bennettsbridge, Co Kilkenny will host Easter Egg hunts on April 9th and from April 11th-16th. Already popular for its crazy golf, go-karting and pet farm, children staying on the campsite or visiting for the day will enjoy exploring the special trails through the farm. norevalleypark.com

Circle of Friends

April 13th-16th, Lime Tree Theatre, Limerick, 8pm, €30/€28, limetreetheatre.ie; April 20th-May 14th, Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, 7.30pm (Wednesday and Saturday matinées at 2.30pm), from €16, gaietytheatre.ie

The stage adaptation of Maeve Binchy’s classic novel gets its world premiere in Limerick before moving on for dates at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. It’s been called the Normal People of its day, so expect good-looking young people up from the country to attend college in Dublin and all the intrigue and sexual awakening that entails. Maeve Binchy’s evergreen novel of friendships and tested loyalties was made into a movie starring Minnie Driver, and now Elaine Murphy has adapted it for the stage, with Viko Nikci directing and Roseanna Purcell and Aisling Kearns starring as smalltown girls and best friends Benny and Eve, starting their first semester at University College Dublin in the 1950s. Soon, they’re mingling with the sophisticated folk from the Big Smoke, particularly the gorgeous Nan (Juliette Crosbie) and the good-looking Jack (Jack Hickey). Will this new social circle be unbroken? Whatever happens, Murphy promises this production will stay true to Binchy’s warm, funny and compassionate writing.

Easter egg hunts on country estates

Birr Castle in Birr, Co Offaly with its stunning variety of trees and vast parklands, is an amazing place to visit at any time. On Easter Sunday and Monday, April 17th and 18th, it will have a special Easter trail where children can meet the Easter Bunny, Henny Penny, Larry the Lamb, Quackers the Duck and the Mad Hatter. birrcastle.com

Belvedere House, Gardens and Park near Mullingar, Co Westmeath will host an Easter treasure trail from April 15th-17th with special activities along the way and characters to meet. Tickets include access to the house, park and play areas and under-threes go free. belvedere-house.ie

The recently re-furbished Johnstown Castle Estate, Agricultural Museum and Gardens in Co Wexford invites families to search for clues on its peacock trail to receive Easter treats from April 11-17. johnstowncastle.ie

Westport House in Co Mayo will host an Easter treasure hunt on April 17th from 11am-6pm. The treasure hunt gives families a chance to explore the historic grounds of the Westport Estate while youngsters can sample rides at the Pirates Adventure Park. westporthouse.ie

New-look National Gallery of Ireland: the renovated Merrion Square entrance. Granite setts ramp up it, so the old steps are gone. Photograph: Marie-Louise Halpenny

Children’s creative workshops

Richmond Barracks in Inchicore, Dublin has become a cultural beacon since it opened as a museum in 2016. On April 14th at 11am, historian-in-residence, Dervilla Roche will invite 9-12 year olds to learn about Easter traditions in Ireland, decorate egg shells and take part in an Easter egg hunt in the garden. richmondbarracks.ie

The National Gallery on Merrion Square, Dublin will host themed children's afternoon workshops from April 12th-14th (different age groups each day). nationalgallery.ie

Philo

April 11th-23rd, Bewley's Cafe Theatre, 1pm (Soiree performance April 21st, 7pm), €10-€15, bewleyscafetheatre.com

Two women with little or nothing in common suddenly find themselves working together on the frontline of the caring profession, and soon find themselves relating to each other in startling ways. Five Lamps Arts Festival is staging this poignant and frequently funny drama written and directed by Peter Sheridan and starring Neilí Conroy as mouthy inner city woman Philo and Karen McCartney as her boss, the thoughtful, restrained Sister Rosaleen. Both are working at the Good Shepherd Day Care Centre in Sheriff Street, and both are harbouring dark secrets from their past. When the truth starts to emerge, both women find they’ve more in common than they’ve realised.

Easter egg hunts in parks and gardens

The Irish National Stud and Gardens in Co Kildare is hosting Easter celebrations from April 15th-18th from 12-4pm. There will be Easter egg hunts, face painting and magic shows to entertain young visitors while all ages will enjoy seeing newborn foals in the paddocks and the beautiful Japanese Gardens with their cherry blossoms. irishnationalstud.ie

Fota Wildlife Park in Co Cork will have a special Easter fairy adventure on April 16th from 3-4pm. Presented by WonderWorld, this interactive camp with have dancing, games, theatre and treats for participants. fotawildlife.ie, booking on eventbrite.ie

Wildlands, the high-octane adventure centre in woodlands near Moycullen, Co Galway has incredible indoor and outdoor activities including zip lines, climbing walls, archery, paddle boarding and kayaking. On April 16th and 17th, there will be Easter egg hunts through the fairy trail for younger visitors. wildlands.ie

The War on Drugs

April 14th, 3Arena, Dublin, 6.30pm, from €40, ticketmaster.ie

Adam Granduciel has grown to be a formidable figure in indie rock, channelling the best instincts of Jeff Tweedy, Michael Stipe and Neil Young as the frontman of this Philadephia band. It’s been five years since their Grammy-winning fourth album A Deeper Understanding, was released, but the band didn’t rest on their considerable laurels during lockdowns. Their fifth album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore, has garnered huge acclaim and appeared on many critics’ best of 2021 round-ups. The band’s current North American and European tour brings them to some of the biggest venues they’ve ever played, but the band – now expanded to a seven-piece with the addition of keyboardist/vocalist Eliza Hardy Jones, should be well able to fill the big arenas with their big-hearted anthems.

Go to the races

Fairyhouse Racecourse in Co Meath will have its traditional three-day race meet from April 16th-18th. Easter Sunday is family day with lots of free entertainment for children as well as Easter Bonnet competitions. The Irish Grand National takes place on Easter Monday.

The Cork Racecourse at Mallow, Co Cork is holding races on April 15th, 16th and 17th. Easter Monday is a family day with plenty of children's activities and the Future Champions Stakes Pony Races for junior jockeys. Children under 14 have free entry with an adult. corkracecourse.ie

Circuit Des Yeux

April 15th, National Concert Hall, 8pm, €17, nch.ie

Circuit des Yeux is the nomme de guerre of Chicago singer and composer Haley Fohr, and her music will stop you in your tracks and make you think about who we are and what’s it all about. Fohr is performing as part of the NCH’s Perspectives series, and her perspective is looking at the human condition from both far above and deep within. Her new album, -io, tackles grief and loss with a mix of weirdness and wonderment, blending sonorous requiem with a sparkling sense of discovery, and “capturing a sprawl of emotions too complicated to be named”.

Explore somewhere new

The Slieve Aughty Centre near Loughrea, Co Galway is hosting a Spring festival from April 9th-24th where they are adding special seasonal touches to their usual activities. There's lots to explore in the nature hut, arts and crafts room, organic garden and pre-booked pony rides through the enchanted forest. Visitors can also pet the donkeys, visit the pot-bellied pig and meet the sheep and baby foals. slieveaughtycentre.com

Although slightly off the beaten track, Greenan Maze (Greenanmaze.com) in County Wicklow is worth the detour. Over the Easter holidays, there will be nature treasure hunts, nature trails, fairy tree walks for toddlers and special times to feed the animals.

Irish Memory Orchestra

April 16th, Black Box, Galway 8pm, €20 (€10 under-18s), irishmemoryorchestra.com

Imagine having to perform an orchestral piece without the aid of sheet music. Nightmare? Not a bit of it. Dave Flynn’s Irish Memory Orchestra is unique in the world, as the only orchestra that plays entirely from memory. Throwing out the sheet music means the ensemble can be more inclusive, opening places up for visually impaired musicians or those who wouldn’t normally have access to written scores. The orchestra has wowed audiences around the world, and it’s bringing its acclaimed Vision Symphony to Galway, and will be joined by the talented young blind, visually impaired and full-sighted musicians of the IMO’s Youth Orchestra and Choir. Prepare to be dazzled by this out-of-sight performance. Memorise the date – it’ll be an unforgettable night out.

Do something different

Drive-In Bingo Show Aerial Dance Theatre Company, Fidget Feet will perform their acrobatic antics on April 9th and10th at an outdoor venue at Clare Marts, Quinn Road, Ennis, County Clare. The audience – who watch the show from their cars – is invited to play bingo while watching the show. glor.ie

Go on a steam train The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland are running some steam trains over the Easter weekend. The Easter Eggspress (return trip) from Belfast to Whitehead will steam ahead on April 16th and 17th and the Easter Eggstravangaza runs from Dublin to Drogheda and on to Dundalk, stopping in Drogheda and Skerries en route back to Dublin. Bookings on steamtrainsireland.com

James Vincent McMorrow

April 17th, Cyprus Avenue, Cork, 7pm, from €38.82, cyprusavenue.ie

Back in summer 2021, music fans (all 500 of them) were delighted to gather at the Iveagh Gardens for the first official gig since the pandemic shut down all live activity. The fact that it was headlined by the very wonderful James Vincent McMorrow (with support from Sorcha Richardson) made it even more sweet. Now, with restrictions lifted, audiences won’t be corralled into pods for JVMcM’s Irish tour, which takes in this date at Cyprus Avenue followed by two nights at the 3Olympia (April 19th and 20th), a night at the Limelight in Belfast (21st) and a night at the Milk Market in Limerick. McMorrow will perform tracks from his excellent new album, Grapefruit Season, including I Should Go and Planes in the Sky.

Join an eco-camp

Eco-Unesco's Eco-Explorer Easter Camps encourage children to explore the natural world with a curious mind. The Easter Camps in Dublin City Centre from April 11th-15th will give 10-12-year-olds an opportunity to investigate trees, animals and insects in an urban environment. The Easter camps for 13-16-year-olds from April 18th-22th will include day trips and guided tours beyond the capital while also exploring biodiversity within the green areas of the city. ecounesco.ie

Solas, the cool new garden centre, eco-shop and café in Portarlington, Co Laois is hosting a children's Easter Eco-Camp from April 11th-15th. Children will learn how to build a bug hotel, do nature painting as well as join in outdoor games. There will also be arts and crafts, music and Easter egg hunts on April 17th from 10am-4pm. thegardenshop.ie

Airfield Estate in Dundrum is the location for The Little School's wild in nature camp from April 11th-15th and April 19th-22nd. The camps for 5-11-year-olds include scavenger hunts, woodland survival skills and arts and crafts. thelittleschool.ie

Simple Minds

April 17th, 3Arena, Dublin, 8pm, from €49.20, ticketmaster.ie

There was a time when Simple Minds were battling with U2 for the job of world’s most bombastic band – and it was a tosser-up between Jim Kerr and Bono as to who could be the most self-righteous frontman around. The U-ies won that war hands down, but in recent years, folk have come to appreciate the huge influence the Scottish indie-rockers had on their Irish counterparts, and are rediscovering the uplifting mood of albums such as New Gold Dream and Once Upon a Time. The band’s 40 Years of Hits show kicks off at 8pm sharp, with no support, so get there early to catch all the anthems.

Go on a hike: Hill-walking festivals and pilgrim paths

There are several organised walks along pilgrim paths in Ireland over the Easter weekend which is designated as Pilgrim Path Week 2022. These include a guided ascent of Cnoc na dTobar Pilgrim Mountain in Co Kerry on April 15th, walks along St Declan's Way in Co Tipperary, Cosan na Naomh (from Ventry to Mount Brandon) in Co Kerry and along St Kevin's Way in Glendalough on April 16th and guided walks in Counties Mayo, Clare and Donegal on April 18th. pilgrimpath.ie

Pilgrim Paths in Ireland – a Guide (Gill Books) by John G O’Dwyer has maps and comprehensive details of the walks for those keen to complete any of these walks with family and friends.

The North Leitrim Glens Hill Walking Festival organised by the Holey Soles Walking Club has guided walks in the Glencar Valley on April 16th and 17th. Some graded walks are already booked out so check eventbrite.ie for details.

Easter weekend full-moon walks in the Cooley Mountains, starting from Glenmore (A91 VH98) at 8pm are planned for April 16th and 17th. eventbrite.ie

Life coach Joselyn Leggett is leading an Easter wellbeing moderate hike in Ticknock Forest on April 17th from 9.15am-12 noon. eventbrite.ie

Cycle a greenway

As more and more greenway routes are planned around the country, the Great Western Greenway remains one of the most popular. The 44 kilometre route goes from Westport to Achill Island and passes through picturesque villages of Newport and Mulranny as well as long stretches across open countryside. greenway.ie

Equally as picturesque and arguably easier to complete (because it’s mainly flat), the Waterford to Dungarvan greenway attracts both walkers and cyclists. The Waterford Greenway (also known as Deise Greenway) follows a route along a former railway track for 46 kilometres and like the Great Western Greenway can be completed in one day. Bike hire (and shuttle buses for the way back) can be organised. discoverireland.ie, greenwaysireland.org

17 things to do around Ireland over the Easter holidays

Walks, places to go, gigs, Easter egg hunts and more, throughout the country