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End of March trip with kiddo- Itinerary advice please

Hello all. So glad I stumbled on to this site, as reading through the various threads has provided me with a wealth of information.

My family (husband, 7 year old child, and my mother) and I are taking a trip (late march 2018) over to Ireland for my moms 60th birthday. She was born in Dublin (came to US as toddler) and hasn't been back since the 70's. She's excited to visit again and I'm excited to see where she was born and parts of Dublin my grandparents refer to fondly. We are saving 2 days of our 6 night trip for Dublin but I'm struggling on what to do with the other 4. I want to sightsee but do not want to overwhelm ourselves and bore my kiddo to death with long car rides every day. The first 2 nights we are already booked in Kilkenny. So the 2 middle days/nights is what Im having a problem with.

Wednesday- Arrive in Dublin. Drive to Kilkenny to check in to hotel. Check out the castle and possibly the Smithwicks Tour.
Thursday- Possibly drive to Clare to see the Cliffs of Moher and Bunratty. Most of this day would be driving. Too much? Spend another night in Kilkenny.
Friday- Debating on driving to Cork to see sights and spend 2 nights. I would really love to see the Titanic museum but this would make our eventual trip to Dublin over 3 hours long on Saturday. We could also spend just one night. I'm stuck.
Saturday- Still in Cork? Or should we drive north somewhere. Or drive west as I would love to see Cliffs of Moher but now I feel like I'm really pushing it with the driving. Soo many things to see!!!
Sunday- drive to Dublin. Hopefully get to see some sites (Guiness!!!) along with the required family meet up. Night in Dublin
Monday - More Dublin and overnight.
Tuesday- Fly out of Dublin

Again, Friday and Saturday nights are up in the air and can be spent pretty much anywhere. We are doing a B&B package. My mom is pretty easy going and so is the kiddo, but I want her to enjoy herself too. Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by
409 posts

Sandra,

I'll be totally honest. If my cousin sent me that itinerary and said "thoughts?" I would say this:

No way, you're doing way too much driving! I'd suggest as an alternative 3 nights in Dublin and 3 nights in Kilkenny. enjoy the area around Kilkenny! I spent a week in Craignamanagh - Graigneumanagh (there are numerous ways to spell it) in County Killkenny and explored the area. Beautiful, much to see, just Kilkenny city means you miss many lovely things. Then more relaxing time in Dublin, too. You know it's about your mom and visiting family! They may want to show you around and why be pushed for time, when there is much to see in Dublin!?

My first trip to ireland involved injury and I stayed 9 nights in the same Dublin/Sandymount B&B. What a joy!! Got to know the area, relaxed train trips to Howth, Dun Laougherie, Ireland's Eye, able to enjoy pubs without rushing; just an all around joyous experience. I'd say slow down and enjoy...... You can't do everything, so make it about what you CAN do rather than what you're missing!!

And then come back again, and see Cobh (the Titanic museum) or Belfast (the other Titanic museum) and the Cliffs (of Kerry, of Moher, of Achill..... lots to chose from!).

Susan
Expat living in Waterville