Egg Hunts & Food Festivals in Ireland this Easter

Photo Credit: Failte Ireland

It’s not long until the Easter Bunny arrives, clocks go forward and children are off for their Easter break. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for longer days and sunshine.

Easter kicked off early here in Dublin, with the Big Egg Hunt starting back in February. In aid of the Jack and Jill Foundation, 100 massive eggs were designed by leading artists and celebrities and then littered around the city as part of Ireland’s largest interactive art display. The eggs will be auctioned off in the Four Seasons on Saturday 23rd.

If you missed out on this hunt, don’t worry there’s plenty more going on around the country. Here are some you should not miss out on:

Westport House and Pirate Adventure Park, Co Mayo will have children hot on the heels of Pinkie the Rabbit, foraging for chocolate eggs around the estate on Easter Sunday, while Belvedere House, Co.Westmeath will be encouraging the little ones to hunt down the thousands of hidden eggs and Golden Tickets on both Easter Sunday and Monday. Newbridge House, Gardens and Farm, Co. Kildare, will be celebrating the arrival of their Easter chicks, baby lambs and other farm newborns with an easter egg hunt and Castlecomer Discovery Park, Co Kilkenny are putting on a scavenger hunt along woodland trails.

Kids can race through the Irish National Heritage Centre, Co. Wexford in search of chocolate eggs over the Easter weekend while Bunratty Castle & Folk Park will have some well known cartoon characters parading about while kids can have their faces painted and watch a puppet show, magician and lots more!

Creative Ardagh at Ardagh Heritage and Creativity Centre in Co. Longford (March 20^th – April 1st) are putting on an Easter egg hunt in the woodland and a fun-filled arts and craft workshop for the little ones.

The Kingdom of Kerry is putting on a show with Tír na nÓg in Tralee, (March 29^th – April 1^st). Expect a funfair, a teddy bear’s picnic, an Easter egg hunt and an Easter Bonny Baby competition.

One thing I love about Galway is never having to walk more than two minutes before stumbling upon a cosy bar playing live music. I also love that you can get good, wholesome food without having to pay an arm and a leg. This Easter weekend, all Galway’s finest artisan food masters will be out en-masse at the Galway Food Festival (March 28 – April 1). With four days of restaurant trails, wine tastings, cooking demonstrations and fun activities, it promises to be a great Easter food fest.

Food is never far from my mind and so I’ll share one last food festival with you – Waterford Festival of Food, Dungarvan (11th – 14th April). With a rising reputation as one of Ireland’s gourmet hot spots, Waterford will be showcasing their very best artisan food producers and restaurants over Easter week. It’s always a lively affair with music, dance, delicious food and wine.

Whether it’s eggs, festivals or a bit of peace and quiet you’re after for Easter, I hope you find and thoroughly enjoy it.

Happy Easter x

CHECK OUT WWW.DISCOVERIRELAND.IE FOR FULL DETAILS ON ALL FESTIVALS & EGG HUNTS THIS EASTER