1.    Book in for a family potter’s wheel experience or family ‘pot & go’ at Busy Bee Ceramics in Glaslough. Open Wed-Sat, to book your slot, contact Brenda at brenda@busybeeceramics.ie.

2.    The playpark at Rossmore Forest Park has recently been extended, with the addition of more play equipment for older children. The Rossmore Giants are growing in number too. Explore the trail and keep an eye out for newbie Medb-Michael ;)

3.    Take a trip up to Clones, where the new Marina is home to Ulster Canal Adventures, a hub for on-the-water activities, including kayaking, SUP and water-biking. 

4.    Ballybay Town Park has smooth paths perfect for roller-skating and for little ones learning to ride a bike. The playground has been added to recently, and is a good size, and there are picnic benches dotted throughout the park for everyone’s enjoyment. All we need now is the weather! 

5.    Another fantastic spot for a family picnic, if the weather allows, is St. Peter’s Tin Church. Situated in idyllic Laragh Village, beside a gushing stream, with nearby country walks and a community garden to discover. 

6.   Explore the lesser-known reaches of County Monaghan and discover hidden heritage sites by e-bike with Drumlin Trails Bike Hire, based in Emyvale. Though the bikes themselves are suitable for age 16 and up, child seats and trailers are available to hire as well.

7.    The perfect spot for pizza, Ambledown Cottage in Glaslough has a sunny outdoor terrace area, festooned with colourful potted plants. The village is compact enough to explore on foot, so the community park and recently installed ‘sensory garden’ are within easy reach. 

8.    Pick-up hand-made Easter eggs at Glaslough Chocolate, whilst Pocono, a family-run ice cream parlour across the street serves up fresh gelato.

9.    The visitor experience at Carrickmacross Workhouse is a must for older children and parents alike, offering a glimpse into a poignant period of Irish history through the eyes of a teenage girl. It’s a short walk in to Carrickmacross then, which offers a range of options for lunch and coffee, as well as three award-winning bakeries. 

10. Lough Muckno in Castleblayney has it all – nature trails, picnic areas, playground, coffee and ice cream truck, as well as a popular playground set in amongst the trees. 

11.Take in the 4.2km stretch of the Ulster Canal Greenway in Monaghan Town by bike or on foot. The trail is deemed ‘easy’ and takes in a variety of urban and rural landscapes, as well as heritage sites of interest.