With the mid-term break drawing nearer, you might be wondering if you’ve left it too late to book a holiday.
Schools are off in the Republic between October 30th and November 3rd, and Northern Irish schools are taking a break on October 30th and 31st, but there’s still time to bag a deal.
If you want to get away but don’t fancy flying too far afield, these trips are still available to book across the island of Ireland – and they could be exactly what you need…
Spooky fun
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For a spooky stay over half-term – which helpfully coincides with Halloween – why not visit a 17th-century castle?
Ballygally Castle – around a 40-minute drive from Belfast – was first completed in 1625 and now is home to a four-star hotel. It sits on the picturesque Antrim coast next to Ballygally Beach, and is said to house a friendly ghost called Lady Isabella.
The hotel also offers a themed Halloween afternoon tea, and is close to key filming locations from Game Of Thrones that keen fans might want to visit.
How to do it: Rates for a family room (two adults and two children) with breakfast and afternoon tea at Ballygally Castle Hotel start from €271.
Rest and recuperate
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The village of Glengarriff in Co Cork has something for everyone – you can walk along the coastal path, visit some gorgeous gardens, get on the water, or relax in one of the charming pubs or cafes.
Smaller children will love the Glengarriff Fairy Walk – a sweet path along the village’s Shoreside Trail with tiny fairy houses dotted along.
How to do it: Eccles Hotel and Spa Glengarriff offer family rooms for two adults and two children starting at €270, including breakfast.
A city day trip
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If you don’t want to stay overnight, why not visit the city of Limerick for an exciting day trip?
There are plenty of family-friendly attractions to explore on foot – you can travel back in time at King John’s Castle (€39.50 for a family of two adults and two children), explore where food comes from at the Milk Market, or even go on a treasure trail around the Hunt Museum (adult tickets cost €12.50, under-16s go free).
How to do it: Limerick is well-connected by rail; a train journey from Dublin will take around an hour-and-a-half.
Family day return tickets from Dublin Heuston to Limerick Junction cost €60.50.
Escape to the country
If you want to surround yourself in nature, book a trip to Enniskillen in Co Fermanagh. Built on an island, this charming town is 400 years old and was named the third most welcoming place in the UK by Booking.com in 2022.
With serene countryside, the imposing Enniskillen Castle and the Fermanagh Lakelands to explore, you won’t be short of activities – and you could make the five-star Lough Erne Resort your base.
How to do it: A two-bedroom lodge with a living room and kitchen for a family of four at Lough Erne Resort costs €630 for two nights.
