Kilkenny's Easter Treats for Children

From traditional Easter egg hunts and fancy dress competitions to sports and cookery camps there is something for children of all ages this Easter in Kilkenny.

And for something a bit different, this year Rothe house have an Easter camp including gardening in the Medieval walled garden. There’s even a visit from the ever-popular Fireman Sam to McDonagh Junction. So, give your kids a different Easter treat this year and make the most of what the Marble City has to offer this holiday. Happy Easter!

Castlecomer Discovery Park Easter Activities

From 17th March to 3rd April there is an Easter Trail (€10 per family) which will be based on Alice in Wonderland. Search to find clues on 14 hand-crafted Easter bunnies hidden throughout the woodland. On completion of the trail families will receive an Easter treat. Face painting will be on offer on Easter Sunday from 12 noon costing €3 per child. Easter fancy dress competition on Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday with prizes for the best dressed family.

Where? Castlecomer Discovery Park, Castlecomer, County Kilkenny

Contact? 056 4440707. www.discoverypark.ie

Nore Valley Park Easter egg hunt

Nore Valley Park is holding their very popular annual Easter egg hunt again over the Easter holidays. You really do have to hunt hard for these eggs, so it’s a fun challenge for the whole family. As well as the many different animals to see on the farm there will be lambs to bottle feed, rabbits to hold and you can even see chicks hatching. For an additional charge there will also be trailer rides, crazy golf, a maze and go-karts.

When? 18th March to 24th March, except Sunday 20th March from 10am to 4pm.

Where? Annamult, Bennettsbridge, County Kilkenny

Cost? €7 per adult, €6.50 per child or €25 for family group of 2 adults & 2 children for entry to the farm and an additional €3.50 per family or group of four people for the Easter egg hunt.

Contact: 056 7727229, www.norevalleypark.com

Rothe House & Garden Easter Camp

Easter camp with arts and crafts, gardening and games.

Who? Ages 5 to 9 years

When? 21st March to March, 10am to 2pm

Where? Rothe House & Gardens, Parliament Street

Cost? €80

Contact? 056 7722893, [email protected]

Craft Workshops

Workshops in print making, felting, textile arts, paper making and mosaics. Pre-booking required.

Who? Children from age 4

When? 19th March, 21st March, 22nd March

Where? Kozo Studio, Castlecomer Discovery Park

Cost? €10 per workshop for ages 4 to 7 and €15 per workshop for ages 7 and over.

Contact? Tunde Toth 087 2543362, [email protected], www.tundetoth.com

MacDonagh Junction Easter Events

Children’s Easter Egg Hunt around the centre for the week before Easter. Entry forms will be available from the information desk. On Easter Monday, 28th March, Fireman Sam will arrive with the Kilkenny fire brigade for a sing-along at 12 noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4.30pm. There will be also be face painting and other activities throughout the afternoon.

Where? MacDongagh Junction shopping centre

Cost? Free

Contact? 056 7727229

Tennis Camps

Tennis camp with Brian Doyle. Pre-booking is required.

Who? Children aged 5 to 16 of all abilities, including complete beginners.

When? 28th March to 1st April from 1.45 pm to 5 pm.

Where? Kilkenny College, Castlecomer Road, Kilkenny

Cost? €80. Family discounts available.

Contact? Brian Doyle on 086 8714941

Tennis camp with Billy Bolster and Sheila Nolan. Pre-booking required.

When? 21st March to 25th March from 9am to 11am or 11.30am to 1.30am.

Where? Kilkenny Tennis Club, Archersfield, Kilkenny

Cost? €50 for members and €60 for non members

Contact? Rena O’Connor on 086 3060449

Watershed camps

This Easter the Watershed are offering two separate camps; a Swimming Camp with a one hour swimming lesson with a qualified Swimming Instructor

and also a Multi Sports Camp. Pre-booking is required.

Who? Children ages 4 to 12 and for swimming, levels 1 to 5.

When? Swim camp – Week 1; Monday 21st March to Friday 25th March from 9am to 10am. Week 2 (4 days); Tuesday 29th March to Friday 1st April from 9am to 10am.

Multi sports camp – Week 1; Monday 30th March to Friday 3rd April from 9am to 3pm. Week 2 (4 days); Tuesday 29th March to Friday 1st April from 9am to 3pm.

Where? The Watershed, Loughboy

Cost? Swim camp - €45 for 5 days and €40 for 4 days. Multi sports camp - €85 for 5 days & €75 for 4 days.

Contact? 056 7734620. www.thewatershed.ie.

Cookery Camps

Icing on the Cake

Hands on baking & cake decorating workshop for children from age 7.

When? Tuesday 29th March, 10am to 12.30pm

Where? Danesfort, Co Kilkenny

Cost? €25

Contact: Nicky Read on 086 8165587

Ryelands House Cookery School

Two day cookery camps for children and teenagers.

When? 29th March & 30th March from 9.30am to 12.30pm for ages 9 to 11 and 31st March and 1st April from 9.30am to 12.30pm for teenagers aged 12 to 15.

Where? Ryelands House Cookery School, Cuffesgrange, Co Kilkenny

Cost? €65 for 2 day camp

Contact: Anne Neary on 056 7729073/ 086 2767656, [email protected] www.ryelandhousecookery.com.

Slice of Heaven

Kids cookery camps at the Kilkenny Cookery school for children from age 6. Pre-booking required.

When? 22nd to 23rd March

Where? 5-6 Regency Court, Friary Street, Kilkenny

Cost? €40

Contact: Mary McEvoy on 087 9533870

LARC Community Childcare

Easter camp with fun Easter activities, baking, arts and crafts and games. Lunch provided.

When? 21st March to 24th March and 29th March to 1st April, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Optional breakfast club from 8.30am.