Family break, sorted
Staying near Funtasia? Skip the hotel — bring the whole family to Rathescar Grove instead
A proper family getaway needs more than a hotel room with two double beds and a view of the car park. Rathescar Grove gives your family a real family room with bunk beds for the kids, mountain and farmland views right outside the window, and Funtasia's waterpark and rides just down the road.
The geography
Fifteen minutes apart. A world apart.
Rathescar Grove sits in Lismanus, just outside Dunleer — close enough that you're not losing half your day to the car, far enough that you come home to a quiet farm view instead of an industrial estate car park. Funtasia itself is at Donore Road Industrial Estate, Drogheda, Co. Louth, A92 EVH6.
Where you'll stay · Ardee, Co. Louth
Rathescar Grove Guest House
A comfortable, welcoming guest house just outside Ardee — your base for exploring the Boyne Valley and beyond.
The rooms — and which one the kids want
The kids' pick
Book direct with us and skip the platform fee
The same room, the same stay — but booking directly through sosstays.com means you're not paying Airbnb or Booking.com's commission on top. That's a real saving you can put toward Funtasia tickets instead.
Book your family room direct →Illustrative — actual platform commission varies by site and season. Ask us and we'll quote you the direct rate for your dates.
What's actually at Funtasia
15+ activities under one roof — built for a full family day
Funtasia is Drogheda's indoor theme park and waterpark, with enough packed in that a rainy Irish day off doesn't have to mean a wasted one.
Pirate's Cove Waterpark
Ireland's favourite indoor waterpark — over 200 water-based activities, including the Boomerang and Super Bowl slides and a dedicated play area for younger kids.
Skyclimb aerial assault course
An aerial challenge course for the more adventurous members of the family.
14-lane bowling & crazy golf
Easy wins for a mixed-age group when someone's too small for the bigger rides.
Rides & soft play
Ferris wheel, Gyro Loop, Monkey Jump, arcade, and a dedicated soft play area for the littlest ones.
Pricing
Waterpark pricing — check funtasia.ie for current rates before booking
General admission €24.95pp, off-peak (Mon-Fri 5-7pm) €19.95pp, children 2 and under free. The Big Splash ticket combines waterpark access with 1 activity and 2 rides — see Funtasia's site for current combo pricing. Waterpark now runs a timeslot entry system, so book online in advance for the best availability.
A rough plan
Two days, no arguments in the car
Nothing here is compulsory. It's just how most families end up doing it — one gentle evening, one big day, home before anyone melts down.
Room details arrive by message the day before. Park on site, let yourselves in any time between 3 and 9pm.
Top bunk goes to whoever asks first. Kettle, toaster and fridge are already stocked with bread, milk, butter, jam and tea.
Ten minutes up the road — independent shops and some of the best pubs in Louth. Quiet hours back at the house from 10pm.
No queueing for a hotel buffet with four hungry people.
Fifteen minutes in the car and you're there. Book the slot online before you travel.
A lane and a round of crazy golf buys everyone a rest from the slides.
Check-out is 11:30am, so if you've a third night the Boyne Valley is right there — Newgrange, the Hill of Slane, all within a short drive.
While you're in the area
More from our The Boyne Valley & Ardee guide
A proper family getaway starts with the right room
Bunk beds for the kids, a mountain and farmland view for everyone, and Funtasia just down the road. Book direct for the best rate.