Getting away with the family should feel like a break for the grown-ups too. Nobody wants to spend half the weekend in the car, refereeing arguments from the front seat while trying to find an attraction that looked much closer on the map.
That is one of the lovely things about staying in Bailieborough. You have lakes, woodland walks, fairy trails, playgrounds and some genuinely good family days out within easy reach, while still being able to come back to town, get everyone fed and put the feet up afterwards.
If you are staying with us at the Bailie Hotel, one of the easiest places to start is Castle Lake Walks. It is just outside Bailieborough, but once you get down among the trees and beside the water it feels a world away from Main Street.
Castle Lake is particularly handy on those mornings when you want to get everyone outdoors without turning it into a major expedition. The shorter Lake Loop is around 3.5km, while there is also a longer route of approximately 6.5km for families with older children or anyone who wants to stretch the legs properly. The walk takes you through forest and around the lakeshore, with plenty of views across the water along the way.
There is a bit of local history tucked into the walk too. You will pass the 1798 Rebel Hill Memorial, and the wider forest has connections to the old Bailieborough Castle and the Marist Brothers who once occupied it. That combination of woodland, water and little pieces of history makes it much more interesting than simply announcing to the children that everyone is “going for a walk”.
For another outdoor adventure, Lough an Leagh is well worth putting on the family list. Sitting in the countryside between Bailieborough and Kingscourt, it is the sort of place we recommend when families want fresh air, good views and somewhere that feels properly rural without having to travel halfway across the country. Pack decent footwear, bring a jacket – this is Ireland, after all – and make an outing of it.
Then there is Dún a Rí Forest Park near Kingscourt, one of those places that tends to be a hit across the generations. Woodland paths, streams, bridges, old ruins and sculptures give children plenty to look out for rather than simply counting how many minutes are left until they get back to the car. Among the features dotted around the forest are sculptures of Irish wildlife including a hare, fox, badger, otter, pine marten and frog. There are also historic features such as Fleming’s Castle, Cabra Cottage and an old military barracks.
It is exactly the kind of place where you can let the day unfold at its own pace. Bring a picnic, explore the paths, see who can spot the next sculpture and accept now that somebody is probably going to find a puddle.
Families with younger children should also have Erica’s Fairy Forest in Cootehill on their radar. Set within Bellamont Forest, it is a magical little outing built around fairy trails and woodland discoveries. The forest was created in memory of Erica Ní Draighneain and has become a much-loved community attraction.
Small children do not need much encouragement here. Fairy doors and woodland surprises have a habit of slowing down even the child who normally races through everything at full speed. Give them time to investigate, look properly and enjoy it. It is one of those outings where the adults often end up getting just as much pleasure from watching the children’s reactions as they do from the attraction itself.
Of course, Irish weather occasionally decides that your carefully planned outdoor family day needs reconsidering. That is where The Play Centre in Kingscourt becomes a useful name to know. An indoor option can be worth its weight in gold when the rain settles in, particularly if you have younger children with plenty of energy still to burn.
For a family day with a bit more history behind it, head for Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff. This is not one of those museums where parents spend the entire visit whispering “don’t touch that”. The collections cover County Cavan from the Stone Age right through to the 20th century, and one of the big attractions for families is the outdoor World War One Trench Experience. There is also a playground, the Nun’s Walk and tea rooms, which is a fairly strong combination when different generations are trying to agree on a day out.
If you have children who are beginning to develop an interest in local stories and history, St. Kilian’s Heritage Centre in Mullagh is another option to add to the list. It tells the story of St Kilian, who was born in the area and later became a missionary in Europe. It can make a nice addition to a family itinerary, especially if you are mixing shorter attractions with walks and outdoor stops rather than trying to squeeze everything into one enormous day.
And that is probably the best way to enjoy this part of Cavan with children: don’t over-plan it.
Pick one main activity, leave yourself time for an unexpected stop and don’t underestimate how much children enjoy the simple things. A walk around a lake, finding something unusual in the woods, a picnic on a bench or getting muddy beside a stream can end up being the bit they talk about afterwards.
A few things we always think are worth remembering when exploring the area with the family:
- Keep raincoats or light waterproofs in the car even when the morning looks promising.
- Bring proper footwear for the forest walks; Cavan scenery is beautiful, but it is under no obligation to stay dry.
- Pack drinks and a few snacks if you are heading into the woods with younger children.
- Check attraction opening times before leaving, particularly for indoor attractions and museums.
- Give yourself more time than you think you need. Children are remarkably good at turning a short woodland walk into a full-scale investigation.
- Keep a change of socks or shoes in the car. You may never need them, but the day you do, you will be very pleased with yourself.
The best part is that you do not need an action-packed schedule to have a brilliant family break around Bailieborough. Some days can be about exploring forests and hunting for fairy doors; others can involve history, playgrounds and a good wander around a museum. And sometimes the winning plan is simply a walk around Castle Lake followed by something good to eat and an early night.
At the Bailie Hotel, we are right in the heart of Bailieborough, making the town a handy base for getting out and discovering this corner of County Cavan. Ask us for ideas while you are here too. Local recommendations are always better when you can tell us the ages of the children, how energetic everyone is feeling and, most importantly, what the weather has decided to do that morning.
Because a good family break is not about ticking off the greatest number of attractions. It is about coming home with a few stories, tired children, muddy shoes and at least one place everyone wants to visit again.