Hi! We are thinking of celebrating our 40th anniversary with a 2-week trip to Ireland. First week would be just us and the 2nd week to be joined by adult kids and very young grandkids. I’ve looked at Rick’s suggested itinerary and it’s a bit overwhelming at first glance. If we saved Dublin to do with the family, where should we start our anniversary segment once we fly in to the Dublin airport? And we’d appreciate any suggested itineraries for both weeks. We like to avoid cities but need to spend a couple days in Dublin (for the Guinness tour🍺) which our kids wouldn’t want to miss. Thank you.
Posted by
Camano Island, WA, usa
1743 posts
It might be interesting to research your Family Genealogy before you go. This might show you where your ancestors lived. More than a few "Irish" are actually "Scottish" or "English". Celts were from mainland Europe originally. You may already have some stories handed down. You may find some interesting surprises. Families with a long history in Ireland can find information in Church Records and Graveyards, if you have some leads with dates. I'm thinking that the Guiness Tour would be fun! P.S. Most people looking to go to Ireland do have an Irish connection somehow; grandmother's maiden names, crazy cousins, etc. I found some Irish Earls that were really Elizabethian English. The Scenery is worth the trip!
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1879 posts
A few questions:
Will you rent a car or rely on public transportation? A lot of Forum folks suggest not driving immediately after you land from an overnight flight unless you are a seasoned "wrong-side" driver. I find this to be sound advice. If you rent a car for your week on your own, how will the adult kids and grandkids travel?
Do you all want to stay together in a large house or apartment? Or several rooms in the same hotel/B&B? Or just in the same area?
How young are the grandkids? Do you need to think about nap times when you're planning your days?
What are you interests? Do you have must-see/do sights/activities identified besides the Guinness tour?
Posted by
OP
Woodstock, Georgia, USA; Timnath, Colorado, USA
24 posts
Thanks for your replies. First, we have no Irish ancestors but have always wanted to visit (a bucket list item!). Our interests are history, natural history and natural scenic locations, hiking, cycling, local sporting or outdoor events, music events (not huge festivals but local smaller opportunities), and seeing the Irish culture and countryside.
Our grandkids are infant and toddler ages but we believe in “napping as we go” in strollers or backpacks. We usually do a lot of picnics for lunch and pubs or casual places for dinner. Given that our kids will just have a week with us, we probably won’t be interested in having a “base” like some folks like.
Hope that gives you more info to go on.
Posted by
OP
Woodstock, Georgia, USA; Timnath, Colorado, USA
24 posts
Forgot to add that we wouldn’t mind driving a short distance when we arrive. Have had experience driving on the “wrong” side before. Kids will probably be renting a van.
Posted by
OP
Woodstock, Georgia, USA; Timnath, Colorado, USA
24 posts
Also, we prefer to drive and have had good luck staying in RS-recommended b&bs in other countries. We would probably do that instead of an Airbnb which would probably have a nightly minimum.
Posted by
Bellingham, WA
1879 posts
A lot of people will tell you to go to Dingle or Galway. I prefer a counterclockwise loop that starts where you get the car (the airport being north of Dublin, that's the way I'd go).
A good first stop would be Drogheda. It's a short drive, mostly motorway (which I found much easier than the smaller roads). It's a good base for the Boyne Valley sights, including Newgrange (timed entry required). I have stayed in the Marcy Hotel, but it's on a busy street right in town and probably doesn't have parking. I'd maybe stay outside the center. I stayed at this place in 2018:
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/10185982?source_impression_id=p3_1779226551_P3pbj3tqdYqyKqMK (the listing photos are terrible; it's a very charming place with a friendly host). It's close to Monasterboice.
From there, I'd go north to the Antrim Coast and Glens, Giant's Causeway, etc. Bushmills is a nice place to stay up there. Ballycastle has the ferry to Rathlin Island.
You have two choices for "mountains." The Mourne Mountains southeast of Belfast or the Sperrins, which are home to the Giants (https://discovernorthernireland.com/blog/post/the-sperrin-sculpture-trail-a-giant-adventure/), one of which involves a significant hike.
If you choose the Sperrins, you can keep going west to the Atlantic coast. Lots of options there: Donegal (Slieve League Cliffs), Sligo (Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery and Yeats country), Mayo (Achill Island, Westport, the Greenway).
Here is a list of music festivals and "summer schools." Most won't be large events, but with so many musicians gathered, there's likely to be music all over town. The dates shown are for this year, but most of these festivals follow a similar schedule each year.