Top Picnic Places in Ireland

You can't beat eating outdoors when the sun is shining and we are spoilt for choice for places to picnic in Ireland. Food always seems to taste nicer when eaten 'al fresco'! The kids certainly enjoy bringing a picnic lunch if we're heading out and about for the day so take a look at our Summer Picnic Recipes for some inspiration for different picnic foods and pack up the picnic basket to head out for some fresh air and outdoor fun!

The following are some of of the Mykidstime Team's favourite places to eat al fresco, we would love to hear your favourite spots, let us know and we will add them!

Deborah, our Dublin Mykidstimer says that Massy's Estate is a personal favourite picnic spot right in the Dublin Mountains where you might well spot a deer or red squirrel!  Or stop by Iveagh Gardens and enjoy the peace and tranquility right in the centre of Dublin! Located just off Harcourt Street, this is one park that is never full or loud.  With beautiful flora and green areas and an impressive waterfall that the kids love.

If you're looking for ideas for where to picnic in Cork, Noelle's favourite is Fitzgeralds Park where you can take a stroll around and find a nice spot for your picnic. There are lovely views of the River Lee, a good playground, several interesting statues, a fountain and plenty of grassy spots. Fitzgeralds Park is also home to Cork Public Museum which is free entry Mon-Sat and on Sun costs €2.50 per family.

Monivea Forest is Etain's favourite place to picnic in Galway as she says the family can have a picnic as well as a walk!  A walk in the woods with the kids, then it's time for a picnic and when we are all refueled we leave the woods and head over to the great playground to burn some more energy, before getting in the car and heading home!  All we need is some dry weather, a picnic and we are set for the day :)

Helen, our Limerick Mykidstimer, has chosen Lough Gur as a fantastic place for a day out and a picnic in the Limerick area. Steeped in history, visit the remains of an early farmstead and take a walk through the forest or for the more energetic climb Knockadoon Hill. Picnic on the maintained lawn beside the lake. Don't forget to bring fishing nets, plastic bottles and towels as wading in the shallow section of the lake is a must. And bring binoculars for those wild life enthusiastic kids, as there are plenty of water birds, birds of prey, waders, song birds and dragon flies to spot.  In autumn time, it's a great place to go blackberry picking.   Keep an eye out for Gearoid Iarla, 3rd Earl of Desmond.  As a punishment for his involvement in magic, he did not die but lives beneath the waters of the lake.  Every seven years he rides around the lake margin on his white horse, shod with silver shoes.  When the shoes are finally worn, he will regain his mortal form and restore the glory of the Desmonds!"

Carol tells us that The Three Rocks Trail is one of her favourite spots for a picnic in Wexford.  Coillte Outdoors provide a 8km long trail across Fort Mountain and Shelmalier and there are plenty of shorter loops for families, picnic areas and great viewing points.

Katherine, our Sligo Mykidstimer has opted for Gleniff Horseshoe Millsite as her top spot for a picnic in Sligo, those with an interest in industrial archaelogy and local heritage will be fascinated by this site, which also has a lovely woodland walk and nature trail to take you through native Irish trees and alongside rushing mountain streams and waterfalls before you stop at the picnic area to enjoy your food!

If you are in Clare, Laura says that one of her favourite places to take the kids for a picnic in Clare is Lisdoonvarna playground "simply for the variety of activities while we're picnic-ing" as we can picnic, play and take a short walk as well.

Linda, our Meath Mykidstimer has picked Mornington Beach as a great spot for a picnic in Meath, the kids love beach combing and hearing the gory story about the origin of the two towers, the Maiden and the Lady's Finger!

If you are looking for somewhere for a picnic in Cavan, Laura says Dun na Ri Forest Park is great for long (or short!) walks through deep leafy glades and over old bridges.  There's even a Wishing Well and a children's playground which the kids love to stop at.

We hope you enjoy your picnic and let us know if you have any favourite picnic places of your own so we can tell other parents!