Hi
Travelling to ireland in July with my wife and 7 year old. We have been several times before and have visited Galway, Dingle, Killarney, Kinsale,Cork, Kilkenny, Belfast and Dublin. This will be the first trip with a child. Wondering if we should visit Sligo/Donegal for 4 days with a stop in Athlone on the way back to Dublin Or head to Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow?
Any advice welcome.
Thanks
My personal preference would be Sligo and Donegal (with Mayo thrown in too) . These are very much the 'forgotten' part of ireland when it comes to tourist itineraries which is a great shame as they have a lot ot offer. Donegal has superb scenery with smlall and pretty villages around the coast and of course has Slieve league cliffs which I much prefer to Cliffs of Moher!
As a reminder you will all need the ETA to visit Belfast. Also if you want a small amount of cash you will.need a few pounds.
I don't know about Sligo (I've only been to Sligo Town and, years ago, Tubercurry for the summer school), but the beach towns between Sligo and Donegal look nice.
I think a child of that age would enjoy the Causeway Coast area, including the Giant's Causeway and the Dun Luce castle ruin. Between there and Donegal lie the Sperrins Mountains, which are home to three of Thomas Dambo's trolls (two of which are easily reached by car, the other involves a serious hike that I was unable to complete). https://discovernorthernireland.com/blog/read/2023/08/the-sperrin-sculpture-trail-a-giant-adventure-b302
We stayed in this amazing apartment overlooking the harbor in Killybegs:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/41787724?source_impression_id=p3_1748277633_P3n3UmzflsS8jBPS
It was above Anderson's Seafood Restaurant (but not noisy or stinky). They have a chippie across the street that served the best fish and the best chips of our trip. Highly recommended.
From Killybegs, you can take a boat tour to see the Slieve League from below (we also saw dolphins on our way back into the harbor), as well as drive up to see them from above. Fintra Beach is just outside town.
Athlone is on my list for the castle, mainly. Good choice.
Athlone Castle has costumes to dress up in, so the 7 year old might enjoy it (not sure if they have child sizes, but certainly a hat). Derryglad Folk Museum is nearby (by car) and though small, can be entertaining for a youngster, with lots of odd things.
