IT'S A FREE WORLD:THE GALWAY Arts Festival is in full swing and there's plenty to excite kids of all ages. The Dinosaur Petting Zoo in Galway Shopping Centre is a fun-filled free show that takes kids on a prehistoric journey through an incredible cast of dinosaurs that inhabited Earth millions of years ago.
Take note: the zoo show also moves outdoors from Eyre Square, where you congregate and follow the fun to Shop Street and Spanish Arch. On July 19th and 20th the 4pm show is in Galway Shopping Centre while the 1pm show on the same days starts outdoors from Eyre Square. See galwayartsfestival.com.
Catch: bring waterproofs for the outdoor shows.
WHY NOTpay Áras an Uachtaráin a pre-election visit and see what Queen Elizabeth and US President Obama got to see. Learn more about the venue with free guided walking tours on Saturdays from 10.30am to 3.30pm. Tours begin at the Phoenix Park Visitors Centre (where you also pick up your free tickets).
Take note: tours run year round but buggies are not allowed.
Catch: tours can be cancelled at short notice. Tel: 01-6770095 the day before to confirm.
GOLFERS WHOfancy a few rounds in the Portuguese sunshine should check out Cassidy Golf's July and August offers. Stay seven nights at the four-star Vila Gale Marina in Vilamoura on a B&B basis for €470pp. The hotel is near the airport and offers a free shuttle to Laguna Golf Club where prices start from €40pp for 18 holes. The club offers free golf clubs and buggy use. Golfers under 16 play for free and also avail of free clubs and buggy.
Or, stay in a twin room at the Hotel Dona Filipa in Vale do Lobo on the western Algarve, for €130pp per night and enjoy a free 18 holes at San Lorenzo Golf Course on the Quinta de Lago estate.
Take note: Cassidy Travel (cassidytravel.ie) offers Monarch flights from €329pps.
Catch: flights depart Dublin to Faro on Sunday mornings only at 7.40am.
:quality(70)/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-authors/irishtimes/9f04a4a1-b77c-41e8-979d-e08616c0edc7.png)