Hi Friends, we are looking forward to a wonderful family wedding at the end of Sept. north of Dublin. For the 2 days following the wedding, there will be a large contingent of us together in Dublin before we all part ways for other parts of the country or back to the US. So I have 2 questions:
1) we need restaurant recommendations (preferably not Temple Bar) that would be able to handle a group of 8-10 adults and several kids;
2) we need some kid-friendly activities/sites for 4 kids ages 4-9 and their handlers (parents, grands, aunts and uncles).
Several of us have been to Ireland at least once so we know the basic lay of the land. Parks, playgrounds, historic sites, fun museums - any ideas welcome! I've perused RS and several other websites and books, but would love to hear your suggestions.
Many thanks!!
Try The Church (near the Jervis Shopping Center, north of the river). It's massive and takes reservations. https://www.thechurch.ie
On the other side of the river, maybe JRMahon's, which is just off O'Connell Street. They take reservations, including for groups of 12+. I was in there several years ago and recall it being quite a big place. https://www.jrmahons.ie
I'm a big fan of the tea bus. You don't have to give the 4yoa child a cup of hot tea to try to drink while riding a bus. They have other drinks. And the bus moves pretty slowly (because traffic). With a group your size, you might want to book the whole bus. https://www.vintageteatrips.ie/occasions-events/
Speaking of buses, kids love public transport, so I would look at taking them out to Howth or down the coast a little way on the DART for a walk on the beach or around a harbor. I'm not familiar with any of these places.
There are river tours (including those awful duck/viking tourist ones), and last year I saw a small boat in the Grand Canal that looked like a tourist thing, but I can't find anything about it online. Maybe you'll have better luck.
G3rryCee - thanks for the great suggestions! We actually had a very fun ride with one of the Hop on Hop off buses last year, mainly because the driver had an offbeat sense of humor. Might be worth a try as well. Thanks again!