First time trip to Ireland with teens.......

Posted by kcarlson on 01/31/17 12:18 AM

My older daughter is doing an internship in Wexford County. My younger daughter and I are traveling over to visit her and spend a few days sightseeing in Ireland before heading to London.

We will fly into Dublin, and that's literally all I know! I'm completely overwhelmed, and have no clue what to do, where to go, where to stay, etc. I bought Rick Steves' book, but still feel overwhelmed.

Here are some questions: should we join a tour group? I'm not sure about driving over there!
Should we look into staying at an air bnb?
What places between Dublin and Wexford are must-sees? We are very interested in castles, music, festivals, museums, etc.

Any information and advice would be welcome. THANK YOU!

Posted by Donna 🌎

Ohio

01/31/17 12:42 AM

2161 posts

Hi K, no need to be overwhelmed or clueless. Read the Rick Steves Best of Ireland and Ireland 2017 and get a few others from the library. Involve your daughters in developing a list of sites they want to visit and things they want to experience while in Ireland. Check out the itineraries for Rick's two Ireland tours for some ideas. Your older daughter should be able to offer some guidance after a few weeks in her internship. Relax, it's your vacation!

Posted by Laura

Rick Steves' Europe

01/31/17 01:19 AM

16895 posts

If your visit will be just a few days, focus on the three chapters of the book that cover your stated destinations: Dublin, Near Dublin, and Waterford & County Wexford. You don't have time for a wider scope. Within those chapters, the "star" (or triangle) rating system will draw your attention to our favorite spots, but you might also like the sound of something without a star. You may also decide to eliminate anything that the book says is "difficult without a car."

Will your daughter have any local driving experience by the time of your visit?

At least for Dublin, I'd use the accommodation options laid out in the book. For sleeping in Wexford, an Airbnb search may be the best plan, or I often just start with Google Maps.

Your daughter might also take on the task of reading local news and visiting her local tourist information office for info on local events.

Posted by David

Huntsville, AL, USA

01/31/17 02:16 AM

8319 posts

We rarely see anyone on this forum so overwhelmed as you. But someone's got to step up an manage your trip.
Since your oldest daughter will already be over there, let her make all travel arrangements.
I would suggest you stay in one central location and do day trips from there--with tour groups or on public transit.

Posted by SherrieF

Birmingham AL

02/04/17 06:01 AM

346 posts

One of the best aspects of travel in Ireland is its friendly, welcoming people, so I would suggest staying in B&Bs. The hosts are generally wonderful people who enjoy talking to visitors. In Dublin I suggest Kilmainham Gaol (you need to get tickets well in advance), Trinity College with Book of Kells and Long Room, Chester Beatty Library, National Gallery, Grafton Street, maybe the cathedrals.
Daytrip north to the Boyne Valley/Newgrange, South to Powerscourt and Glendalough, Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel. The Famine ship museum/exhibit in Wexford is interesting.

Posted by TC

Atlanta

02/04/17 04:17 PM

5196 posts

David made a good point. The daughter who is already over there can do a lot of the leg work with regard to arrangements and tours. Let her be in charge (within reason of course). Stay in one place and do days trips to minimize time lost getting from one base of operations to another. If at all possible, forget the car unless your daughter has driven there and can do the driving. Much better to use public transit.