10-11 days in Ireland with kids.. HELP!

Sharon,

Make sure your kids horseback ride on the beaches of Dingle. Five years ago I hiked a trail in Dingle for seven days. I stayed at a B&B where a family was staying, and the kids spent their days riding on horses on the beach. There are miles of beaches on Dingle. There are probably other places on Dingle worth horseback riding, too. I think part of the Dingle Way trail, which is the one I walked, is open to horses, too, but cannot remember.

I assume there are horses to rent on Aran, though I do not know for sure. If not, there are bicycles for rent. I rented a bicycle on Inishmore Island. If you have the time, try to make it to Inisheer Island and-or Inishmaan Island. I've never been to either in my two visits, but a friend said they are better to visit than Inishmore.

Have a great time!

Forget Craig! They must ride horses on the beach on Rossbeigh!

Haha - I'm kidding -- just know there are MANY great choices of beach horse riding around Kerry (the county where Dingle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry is). Dingle, Rossbeigh, Derrynane.....

Not sure if others would agree but rather than 3 nights in Killarney maybe make one of those nights very close to there in Ballyseede Castle hotel - its between Killarney & Tralee, and you won't have to go far but it gives you that grand irish castle experience.

Also,, Neptune's Hostel in Killarney just built an entirely new addition that has family rooms, but you still have kitchen privileges. Might be worth checking out. I saw the rooms last week - quite nice!

Where is the farmhouse on Dingle? Dingle is a huge peninsula - are you near Dingle town, for night life? 20 kms past the town near the fantastic Coumeenoole Strand? Or way before Dingle town near Annacaul? Narrow that down and we might be able to give you some walks or music tips.

Enjoy!

Susan

Thank you so much to both of you for your help!

I am definitely open to staying at Ballyseed castle.... At first glance, it appears that they do not have availability for our timeframe but I have emailed them to see what they may be able to accommodate

The farmhouse is in Ventry.... thoughts?

Thanks again!

Sharon

Hi,

Don't know if you are planning it this way but Newpark Hotel is about 15min walk outside of Kilkenny town. Very nice hotel.

Mary

I always recommend the Ariel House in Dublin if you can get a booking. The breakfasts are legendary.

To help plan your trip, you might want to look at TripAdvisor online, although you seem to have most of the details worked out.

I always advise people to cut down their initial plan by about 2/3. This is what will happen anyway once you're on the ground.

Although they're a bit young, I would recommend involving your children in planning the trip. Perhaps they'd like to use a guidebook or TripAdvisor to select some attractionsZ?

Have fun.

Sharon,

Ventry has a beautiful crescent beach! You may be ale to do horseback riding on that beach. I'd email the working farmhouse where you're staying and let them know you're interested in that - they might have the horses themselves!

Susan