If you’re looking for things to do in Carlingford with a group of friends, look no further than Carlingford Adventure Centre.
There’s endless things to do here with something for all ages, from land-based activities, like archery, to sea-based activities, like kayaking.
Oh… there’s also air-based activites in the hugely popular Skypark, but more on that in a moment.
Some quick need-to-knows before visiting the Carlingford Adventure Centre

Photos via Skypark Carlingford on FB
Although a visit to the Carlingford Adventure Centre is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
Located in Carlingford town across different park areas on the Cooley Peninsula, Carlingford Adventure Centre couldn’t be more central, and it’s a short walk from many of the hotels in Carlingford.
2. Endless things to do
You’ll be surprised with the variety of activities on offer at the centre. From fun individual activities, like ziplining and rock climbing, to team building opportunities, like orienteering, there’s loads for adults and kids alike (more below).
3. ‘Pay and play’
There’s a range of price options available, depending on what activities you’re looking for. They offer packages or pay-to-play rates. Pay and play rates cover all ages and abilities for activities like the zip wire, aerial course, archery, axe throwing, frisbee disc gold and the rock wall. As a price guide, a one-hour zip line session starts from €20.
4. Packages
On the other hand, there are packages catering for groups, including hens, stags, families or youth camps. For an idea on prices, a half day activity package for a Hens is around €50 per person and an overnight family staycation is around €129 per person.
5. On-site accommodation
If you don’t fancy staying in one of the hotels in Carlingford, there’s some en-suite dormitories and self-contained holiday homes here. Some of the group packages even include overnight accommodation.
About the Carlingford Adventure Centre

Photos via Carlingford Adventure Centre on FB
The Carlingford Adventure Centre is one of the best family-friendly activity centres in all of Ireland. They offer everyone a range of outdoor activities, covering land, sea and sky. It’s all about offering fun and challenging activities in a safe and friendly environment.
The centre was founded in 1990 and started with offering water sports. It soon added a forest adventure park and has now included what is called their Skypark, which is just outside of Carlingford town.
Their range has expanded over the last 30 years to include land, water and sky-based activities for all ages.
Open all year round, the adventure centre has activities for little ones up to older people ready to get outdoors. From golf and canoeing to more adrenaline filled options like zip lining and rock climbing, it’s the perfect place to head for the holidays.
Things to do at the Carlingford Adventure Centre

Photos via Skypark Carlingford on FB
One of the reasons that this place is one of the more popular places to visit in Louth is due to the volume there is the see and do.
Below, you’ll find everything from kayaking and foot-golf to ziplining, watersports and much, much more.
- Skypark: One of the biggest adventure parks in Ireland.The highlight for all ages is the Aerial Adventure Course which has over 30 challenges to make it through to the end
- Ziplining: This is Ireland’s longest tree top zipline and it travels through the forest for over 1km offering views of the Mourne Mountains
- Water sports: You can get involved in kayaking and canoeing on Carlingford Lough, with beautiful views of the surrounding mountains
- Foot golf (or mini golf): A combination of football and golf, and it’s a nice alternative to mini-golf, especially for kids
- Rock climbing: It boasts the largest private, natural, rock-climbing wall in Ireland
- Aeroball: A vertical action game involving trampolines and a combination of volleyball and basketball rules
- Frisbee disc golf: This requires you to throw the frisbee around a course with holes or baskets to try and aim for.
Things to do nearby
One of the beauties of the Carlingford outdoor activity centre is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Louth.
Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the centre.
1. Climb Slieve Foye

Photos by Sarah McAdam (Shutterstock)
Slieve Foye is the highest point in County Louth with a summit elevation of 589m. You can begin a climb to the top right in Carlingford town. The hike takes 2-3 hours and offers stunning views.
2. Cycle the Carlingford Greenway

Photos by Tony Pleavin via Ireland’s Content Pool
The Carlingford Greenway is open to walkers and cyclists and offers an incredible view of the mountains and lough along the way. The trail follows the shoreline and takes you from Omeath to Carlingford. If you don’t fancy the Greenway, there’s several beaches near Carlingford to stroll along.
3. Take the Carlingford Ferry

Photos via Shutterstock
Just around the coast in Greenore, you can take the Carlingford Ferry which connects the Cooley Peninsula with Northern Ireland via the lough. It’s an incredibly scenic boat journey of around 20 minutes, offering stunning views over the water and Mourne Mountains.
4. Grab food (or a pint!) in the town

Photos by The Irish Road Trip
If you fancy a pint, there’s lots of lively pubs in Carlingford. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s plenty of great restaurants in Carlingford too. If you’re not hungry (or thirsty!), you can wander over to Carlingford Castle!
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.