CHILDREN'S OUTINGS

AS our world fast becomes more urban, the need to connect with nature and animals becomes greater. Previous generations of Irish children used to be packed off to relatives living on rural farms for their summer holidays.

Now many urban children's only chance of seeing young lambs, foals and piglets is to visit an open farm. The good news is that more and more farms are opening their gates to visitors throughout the summer months. Here is a selection of some of the best.

. Morells' Farm, Turnings, Straffan, Co Kildare: The latest attraction is the sow and her 10 little piglets. Children can hold chickens and rabbits and see a large variety of rare birds, goats and pigs.

Opening hours: 10.30 a.m. - 6.30 p.m. daily. Admission: adults £2, children 75p; under threes free.

. Ballylane Farm, New Ross, Co Wexford: This is a mixed working farm with areas under tillage sheep and deer grazing. The orienteering course (for age 10 and upwards) will appeal to sporty children. Picnics can be taken to a specially laid-out barn if rain prevents outdoor snacking.

Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. Admission: adults £2.50, children £1.

. Greenan Farm Museum & Maze, Ballinanty, Greenan, Rathdrum, Co Wicklow: This one is great for a rainy day as there is perhaps more to see inside than there is outside. Check out the collection of ploughs, harrows, carts and traps in the farm museum, the antique dairy equipment in the old farmhouse museum and the 19th and 20th century bottles in the bottle museum.

Opening hours: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Admission: adults £3, children £1.50, students/OAPs £2, family £7.50.

. Ballinagee Open Farm, Waterfall Road, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow: Children can feed the lambs and pigs or take a look at the hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits and gerbils.

Opening hours: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily. Admission: adults £1.50, children £1.

Also worth visiting are the working farms recently given a quality standard by Bord Failte and the Royal Dublin Society. These include Turoe Farm, Bullaun, Loughrea, Co Galway; Springfield Castle Farm, Drumcollogher, Co Limerick; Lusmagh Farm, Newtown, Lusmagh, Banagher, Co Offaly; Tullyboy Animal Farm, Boyle, Co Roscommon and Woodville Farm, Woodville, Sligo.