Hello, we will be traveling to Ireland for just 3 nights (part of a longer 2 family stay through the UK with 7 kids ages 2-13) We will be flying in and out of Dublin. We planned for the 2nd day to travel to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway and stay the night by Galway. Are there other places worth visiting closer to Dublin for the different days or any nice castles or scenery to check out on the drive to and from Galway? We were thinking of going to Cork as I have ancestry roots linked to there, but we are thinking now that this might add on a bit too much driving with all the kids so we are looking for places closer to Dublin or just staying in Dublin. Thanks! - Erin
Posted by
288 posts
Malahide Castle-outside Dublin. Fascinating! This magnificent medieval castle with a dramatic 800 year heritage. Generations of the Talbot family have called Malahide Castle home, I think living there until 1976! As various parts were added over the centuries, you literally walk through history. A park for the toddlers and the tour for the kids over 6-7 maybe.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2288 posts
On the way back for Galway check out the early Christian site of Clonmacnoise on the banks of the River Shannon with its ruined chapels, round towers and carved crossses. It is a great place for the kids to run and let off steam. Athlone with its castle isn't far away from Clonmacnoise.
If you haven't already got Newgrange on the list, then think about a day trip there from Dublin. It is an amazing passage tomb built 5000 years ago making it older than Stonehenge and the pyramids. This does need booking in advance. If you just turn upo chances are you won't get a ticket. Link this in with a trip to Trim , a pretty town with a ruined castle.
Posted by
Mid-Atlantic area
7157 posts
Trim castle is less than an hour from the airport.
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
745 posts
We think the Cliffs of Moher are over-rated. I don't think I'd relocate that many people just to see them. There's plenty to occupy three nights in and around Dublin.
Posted by
1588 posts
You might consider Powerscourt which is about an hour south of Dublin. The building itself is mostly a shell with a cafe and gift shop but the gardens are lovely and might give the kids a chance to run around. The nearby Powerscourt waterfall is the tallest in Ireland (separate entrance fee). https://powerscourt.com/
Posted by
125 posts
I'm a big fan of Glendalough south of Dublin. It's an old monastic site situated by beautiful lakes and hills. It's got history plus nature. If you go, try and get there early or late to have the place almost to yourself and it's magical.
Posted by
Lincolnshire, UK
2288 posts
Visiting both Powerscourt and Glendalough make a very good day out.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
420 posts
With kids, I would do the Giant's Causeway before the Cliffs of Moher. The Dunluce ruin is right there. Also, with family connection in Cork, I would go there instead of Galway. The older kids might enjoy the two emigration museums, EPIC in Dublin and the one in Cobh that I forgot the name of. Good luck to you traveling with all those kids!