Day Trip to Waterford with Small Children?

Posted by Michael, Tar Heel Traveler (North Carolina ) on 09/29/18 01:02 AM

We will be in Ireland next month, and we will be taking our 3-year old and 7-month old children. For one of our bases, we will be staying a few kilometers south of Kilkenny for three nights (2 full days). We definitely plan to visit Kilkenny for most of one day.

For the other day, we have no specific plans. Do you recommend a day trip to Waterford or somewhere else? We would definitely want to go to a place (less than a hour drive) that is kid friendly (parks, museums, scenery, etc..).
Thanks

Posted by Robert

Colorado Springs

09/29/18 02:41 PM

2980 posts

One alternative to Waterford would be the pretty market town of New Ross. The Dunbrody Famine Ship is one of the big attractions there https://www.dunbrody.com/ - a replica of an 1840's emigrant sailing vessel that might be fun for the 3 year old, as well as being educational for the grown ups.
Just south of the town is the John F Kennedy ancestral homestead and arboretum which might be of interest too. The arboretum is a nice place for a stroll on a sunny day, and as I recall there's a play area there for the kids.
Not far from there is the Passage East ferry from Ballyhack - takes all of 60 seconds to cross the river. First come, first served. When we crossed several years ago there was some entertaining anti-Cromwellian graffiti scrawled on one of the buildings as we pulled into Passage East ... the Irish do know how to hold a grudge.

Posted by Michael, Tar Heel Traveler OP

North Carolina

09/30/18 10:57 AM

270 posts

Thanks for the suggestions. I think my little one would definitely like seeing the sailing vessel.

Posted by jerrygosa34

10/18/18 04:52 PM

39 posts

Waterford has Viking history which our granddaughters( aged 3 and 5) enjoyed-a ship and a fake viking picture op. They also liked the factory tour with all of the sparkly crystal and cute coffee shop for a cookie break while we were shopping.

Posted by Michael, Tar Heel Traveler OP

North Carolina

10/25/18 02:06 PM

270 posts

Thanks for the suggestions.
We actually recently returned from Ireland. What an amazing trip! We did visit Waterford briefly because the weather was not good. We did walk around for a bit, toured the Famine Ship in New Ross, and visited the Hook Lighthouse.

Ireland is such an amazing country! The people were the most friendly in the entire world and very accommodating to our little ones.