4kids News

Press releases and articles about 4kids in the news.

4FM 20 March 2010

Maria appeard on the Al Dunne Saturday Magazine and had a chat about where you could go for a break over the Easter holidays using our Hotel Awards for inspiration. They also talked about our attraction and farm awards across the country.

Clare FM 16 March 2010

Maria was interviewed by Ed Myers on Clare FM today and was very interested in all the Award winners from Co Clare

Ian Dempsey Show 16 March 2010

Ian commented on his breakfast show about the article which appeared in the Irish Examiner

Irish Examiner 16 March 2010

Article appeared in the Irish Examiner today about our awards, focusing on the Hotel awards
Irish Examiner Article

Press Release 1 March 2010

4kids 2010 Top Attractions Awards Announced

4kids is delighted to announce the award winners for Top Attractions 2010 as voted for by their readers.

4kids has again asked it’s readers to vote for their Favourite Family Attractions across Ireland. The 4kids awards are different to others as they are totally independent, no one needs to be a member of any organisation and it’s the 4kids’ readers who vote for their choice and the only requirement is that the attraction is in Ireland. For 2010 4kids have introduced a new category for Top Open Farm as well as the Top Family Friendly Attractions for each region.

Top Farms
Accessible from Dublin: Newbridge Traditional Farm Co Dublin, Newgrange Animal Farm Co Meath, Glenroe Farm Co Wicklow, Causey Farm Co Meath, Puddenhill Animal Farm Co Meath
Leinster: Glendeer Pet Farm Co Westmeath, Glenroe Farm Co Wicklow, Causey Farm Co Meath,
Secret Valley Adventure Farm Co Wexford, Newgrange Animal Farm Co Meath
Munster: Kennedys Pet Farm Killarney, Leahys Open Farm Co Cork, Moher Hill Open Farm Co Clare,
Stonehall Visitor Farm Co Limerick, Parsons Green Pet Farm Co Tipperary

Top Family Friendly Attractions
Dublin: Dublin Zoo, Airfield, Imaginosity, Phoenix park, Dublin SPCA
Leinster: Dublin Zoo, Belvedere House Gardens & Park, National Aquatic Centre, Newgrange, Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park
Munster: Fota Wildlife Park Co Cork, Crag Cave Co Kerry, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park Co Clare, Aillwee Cave Co Clare, Aquadome Co Kerry

‘We are delighted to be able to pass on recommendations from our readers’ says Maria Finnan Editor of 4kids, ‘Parents will have voted for these attractions because they have had a great day out with their family. The introduction of the new Open Farm awards will be of great use as a trip to a Open Farm is a must have for all families at least once every Summer.’

4kids also awards Top 10 Family Friendly Hotel and Irelands Favourite Family Supermarket. Further details of all awards will be available in April 2010 when the Summer edition of 4kids is published. Also see their website www.4kids.ie

Press Release 1 March 2010

4kids 2010 announce Top 10 Family Friendly Hotels Across Ireland

4kids is delighted to announce the Top 10 Family Friendly Hotels for 2010 as voted for by their readers.

Following the success of their first awards list in 2009, 4kids have again asked their readers to nominate their Favourite Family Friendly Hotels in Ireland. They were once again delighted with the response and the winners are as follows:

The Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney, Co Kerry
Quality Hotel Resort, Killarney, Co Kerry
Quality Hotel & Leisure, Clonakilty, Co Cork
Kelly's Resort Hotel & Spa, Co Wexford
Dingle Skellig Hotel, Co Kerry
Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath
Breaffy House Hotel & Spa, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Bewley’s Hotel, Newlands Cross, Dublin
Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co Clare
Kenmare Bay Hotel & Resort, Co Kerry

There are some new entries into this year’s list but some appear again showing they are ongoing in their efforts to accommodate families in their hotels.

“We had praise from many of last years hotel winners” says Maria Finnan Editor of 4kids, “and we look forward to promoting this year’s list also. All the hotels have their unique features be it value for money, convenient location or entertainment for the family. Having been voted for by 4kids readers would mean they would fall into one or all of these categories as a family friendly hotel.”

4kids also awards Top Family Friendly Attractions, Open Farms, and Irelands Favourite Family Supermarket. Further details of all awards will be available in April 2010 when the Summer edition of 4kids is published. Also see their website www.4kids.ie

Press Release 1 March 2010

4kids Announce Families Favourite Supermarket

As part of their 2010 Awards 4kids have a new category of Favourite Family Supermarket.

4kids undertook the opportunity to survey their readers about their food shopping habits for their families by asking them to vote for their Favourite Supermarket. Supermarket shopping has become a commercial battle in recent years with the arrival of low cost alternatives and the introduction of a new era of undercutting their rivals. This is all well and good as long as it means for the Irish families good service, good quality, ethically sound, environmentally friendly and above all a cheaper shopping experience.

While all of the major food supermarkets featured in the 4kids reader’s nominations, it was Tesco who secured the most votes. Many readers commented on their shopping habits, notably those who shopped local and viewed their shopping as an essential social event where they are able to hear all the local news.

Maria Finnan Editor of 4kids had this to say "We were interested in where our readers shopped and decided to create a new award for 2010, Favourite Family Supermarket. The response was great and we are always grateful to our readers for sharing this information.'

More details of the survey will be available in the Summer issue of 4kids when published in April 2010. 4kids also award Top Family Friendly Attractions, Open Farms and Ireland's Top 10 Family Friendly Hotels. For more information see their website www.4kids.ie

ENDS

News: 4kids on LifeFM

Maria was interviewd on Cork's Radio Station Life 93.1FM about our guides and website. Thursday 7 January 2010

Press Release January 2010

4kids launches its new look website.

4kids is delighted to announce that they have a new look website with lots of information for entertaining families and their kids.

The 4kids new website has all the old features plus a few new ones. They have a great what's on guide which is one of the most comprehensive guides available online in Ireland for families looking for things to do and places to go.

They also have a new section for ‘at home’ entertainment. In here are the very popular 4kids treasure hunts which are a great way to entertain the kids when you have some time to fill at home. You will also always find a selection of competitions running with great family prizes.

Maria Finnan, Editor of 4kids says, ‘We are thrilled with how 4kids is growing. We have regular mails and phone calls from parents telling how much they love our guide and also our website. As one parent put it ‘finally a website worth book marking!’ We are currently working on our Summer issue which will be jam packed with more great entertainment ideas - watch out for it in April.’ She also added that if you have seen a 4kids guide and have any suggestions they love hearing from their readers!

4kids has proven to be a very popular guide available FREE in many locations throughout Munster, Leinster & Dublin. With a distribution of 100,000 through the 3 regions it is an invaluable resource available to parents and families. It includes all of the places to go and things to do, as well as interesting articles and advice.

For further details see their website www.4kids.ie

Press Release: October 2009

4kids announce parents favourite Santa events.

4kids is delighted to announce the results of their Santa survey where parents told them about their Christmas trips last year. They rated the experience and said if it was value for money.

For each region that their guides cover they have compiled top Santa lists based on recommendations of their readers. The lists are as follows:

Dublin:
Arnotts, Henry Street, Dublin 1
Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin
Donadea Forest Park, Donadea, Co Kildare
DSPCA, Mount Venus Road, Rathfarnham, Dublin 16
Causey Farm, Girley, Fordstown, Navan, Co. Meath

Leinster:
Glendeer Pet Farm, Curryroe, Drum, Athlone, Co. Westmeath
Lullymore, Rathangan, Co. Kildare
Causey Farm, Girley, Fordstown, Navan, Co. Meath
Rathwood Home, Gift & Garden World Ltd, Rath, Tullow, Co. Carlow
Belvedere House Gardens & Park, Belvedere, Co. Westmeath

Munster:
Crag Cave, Crag, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan, Co. Clare
Blarney Woollen Mills, Blarney, Co. Cork
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, Bunratty, Co. Clare
Leahy’s Open Farm, Dungourney, Co. Cork
Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, Kilmeadan Station, Co. Waterford

Maria Finnan, editor of 4kids says, ‘It is evident from our survey that everyone seems to enjoy their trip to see Santa wherever it is they go and whatever the costs involved. A child’s trip to Santa creates long lasting memories so it is important to get it right for each individual child.’

For further details see their website www.4kids.ie

Press Release: July 2009

4kids launches their new comprehensive ‘Whats on’ web page

If you are looking for something to do over the holidays check out the 4kids what’s on guide. Thay have updated it and they believe it’s the most comprehensive guide to festivals and events happening across the country for families. They plan to update it weekly so you can keep checking back if you are looking for places to take the kids.

About 4kids
4kids is an independent publication run by sisters Maria Finnan and Christina Iden. It is based in Limerick. They publish twice a year (summer and winter) in three areas (Munster, Leinster and Dublin) with a distribution of 100,000. They also have a website which has an up to date what’s on guide www.4kids.ie

For further information, please contact:
Maria Finnan, Editor, 4kids, Galbally, Co Limerick, Phone: 061 748028, email: info@4kids.ie

Press Release: May 2009

The Free 4kids Summer 2009 magazine is now available

4kids is delighted to announce that their Summer 2009 editions are available free from your usual outlet.

The Summer 2009 4kids magazines are now available in libraries, tourist offices, and many other outlets. It has proven to be extremely popular with families and is now the essential guide for families in Ireland. If you want ideas for places to go and things to do with your family this summer pick up your free copy now!

There are great articles, competitions and the unique 4kids free directories which list all places you can take your kids for entertainment. There is also a list of Summer Camps running in each region. Special features this time include results of their reader questionnaire: Top 5 attractions for each geographical area covered, recommended restaurants and the Top 10 recommended Family Friendly Hotels across Ireland. The 4kids awards are great because it is actually the readers of 4kids who have recommended all the entries in the lists.

Maria Finnan, Editor of 4kids says, ‘We are delighted at the feedback we have had from our readers. They love the magazine and many of them tell us it is really convenient being hand bag size and many also tell us they keep it in the glove box of the car so ideas are always at hand.’

4kids is great; it’s a whole summer of entertainment in a convenient A5 magazine.

About 4kids
4kids is an independent publication run by sisters Maria Finnan and Christina Iden. It is based in Limerick. They publish twice a year (summer and winter) in three areas (Munster, Leinster and Dublin) with a distribution of 100,000. They also have a website which has an up to date what’s on guide www.4kids.ie

For further information, please contact:
Maria Finnan, Editor, 4kids, Galbally, Co Limerick.
Phone: 061 748028 email: info@4kids.ie

News: 4kids in Woman's Way

April 2009

News: 4kids on 4FM

On 8 March, Maria had a chat with Michael Comyn on 4FM weekend show about our 4kids awards for Best Family attractions as voted for by our readers

Press Release: March 2009

4kids Readers Choice 2009

In a reader questionnaire we asked parents what their favourite family attraction was. The results are listed here:

Top 5 Munster Family Attractions
Fota Wildlife Park, Carrigtwohill, Co Cork
Aillwee Cave, Ballyvaughan, Co Clare
Crag Cave, Castleisland, Co Kerry
Cliffs of Moher, Co Clare
West Cork Model Railway Village, Clonakilty, Co Cork

Top 5 Leinster Family Attractions
Irish National Stud (including Irish National Stud, Japanese Gardens, Saint Fiachra’s Garden)
Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co Westmeath
Donadea Forest Park, Co Kildare
Newgrange, Donore, Co Meath
Powerscourt, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow

Top 5 Dublin Family Attractions
Dublin Zoo
Croke Park
Phoenix Park
National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin 9
Imaginosity, Sandyford, Dublin 18

Recommended Connaught Family Attractions
Although our guides don’t cover Connaught – these two attractions did stand out in our survey and are worth a mention
Westport House, Westport, Co Mayo
Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Boyle, Co. Roscommon

We also asked them what their favourite free activity was. Many enjoy going to the beach on a sunny day, going to the local playground and also having picnics. Also featured lots were a trip to the local library to avail of all their great free services. But by far the most favourite activity to do for free is to go for a walk. Be it on the beach, in the local park, hill walking or in one of the great Coillte forests – Irish families love walking! This is great to hear in a time when we are constantly being told that the kids need to get up and out and do more exercise.

For more information please contact:
Christina Iden, Creative Director, 4kids, Galbally, Co Limerick
061 748028 www.4kids.ie info@4kids.ie

About 4kids magazine
4kids is a biannually produced magazine covering three geographical areas of the country: Munster; Leinster and Dublin, with a distribution of 100,000 Summer 2009 editions will be available in April 2009, please check our website for distribution details. A current what’s on guide is available on our website (www.4kids.ie).

News: 4kids in Woman's Way

January 2009. In this weeks Woman's Way (20.01.09) we have had a fab write up. Una Rice called us Mumtrepreneurs and said "4kids was packed full of ideas for places to visit with kids in your region".

Polski Express

Issue 5 December 2008 - 9 January 2009

Polski Express Said that it is easy to sit and say there is nothing to do when you move to a new country. But they had picked up the Dublin edition of 4kids in their local library and were finding lots of things to do so now had no reason to complain!

Press Release: October 2008

4kids has expanded

We are delighted to announce that our Winter 2008 editions are available. We are also pleased to have expanded into 2 new regions. 4kids now covers Munster, Leinster and Dublin.

4kids Winter 2008 issues have some great Christmas articles and fantastic competitions. We have also provided a directory of some of the great places where you can take the kids to visit Santa.

4kids: What Irish families are reading.

Further information contact Maria Finnan, Editor 061 748028.

Press Release: April 2008

New Free children’s activity magazine for Munster 4kids are delighted to launch the first edition of their free magazine for Munster. Munster 4kids is a children’s activities magazine for families in Munster. The magazine includes articles, some great competitions for children and parents and activities to do at home on a rainy day. It also includes a useful directory that lists companies in Munster, which provide children’s activities, divided into convenient categories. 4kids is A5 format making it convenient to keep in your bag or glove box of your car and be ready at hand to find an activity to do!

The idea for a magazine was the brain child of the sister team, Maria Finnan and Christina Iden, from Galbally, Co Limerick. It came about because, as parents, we thought there was no concise reference source to find things to do with our children, especially in the holidays. We have spent the last few months researching and hope that families find the result a useful resource to use.

The magazine is being distributed in Munster via libraries, major health centres, Early Learning Centre shops and other locations which are listed on our website (www.4kids.ie).

4kids will be a two yearly publication: Summer and Winter issues. Each issue will have seasonal articles, and focus on events that are available that time of year.

Munster 4kids: The place to look for children's activities in Munster.

Further information contact Maria Finnan, Editor 061 748028.