Ireland Sept - 3 year old and 9 month old

Hmmm, in my opinion, Ireland is all about the scenery and its people and history. Its not big on attractions like zoos etc.
I would keep the driving to a minimum. We know kids don’t enjoy that.
Near Dingle is Inch beach. You can walk it, but swimming would be cold! Although we did see people in the water.
Also, if you are flying into and out of Shannon, I would confine your time to the west coast.

Thank you for the update and information.

We actually visited Dingle for the day last June (stayed in Killarney). We loved Dingle so much that we want to go back and stay 2-3 nights. We visited Inch Beach too.

If we fly into Shannon, we would stay in Dingle the first 2-3 nights.

If we fly out of Dublin, we would drive east, southeast, via Skellig Chocolate. We loved it so much, we have to go back. The drive is breathtaking too. So we would then stay in Cork, Kinsale, or Kilkenny for two nights. Then, we would stay in the Dublin area the last 2-3 nights. We are trying to decide which place to stay for base #2.

Very Early Itinerary (8 nights)
Fly into Shannon, Rent Car
Dingle (2-3 nights)
--- Relax, Aquarium, Drive Slea Head Drive, Leave for Skellig Chocolate and drive part of Ring of Kerry
Kinsale, Cork, Kilkenny, or Wateford (2-3 nights)
--- Visit Cork Market, Fota Wildlife Park, Rock of Cashel, Blarney Stone, Kilkenny Castle
Dublin / Wicklow Area (2-3 nights)
--- Relax, Visit Powerscourt Waterfall, Daytrip in Dublin
Fly out of Dublin

I hope this makes sense with our preliminary plans for September or October.

You might consider a horse cart ride ....your 3 year old might love it. Lots of options on the ROK. Skip the Blarney stone (on Rick's top ten tourist traps of Europe) . Wouldn't hang my 3 year old upside down over that opening to kiss that ridiculous stone.....or make them wait in line. Loads of better alternatives.

While you are at Skellig Chocolates ...stop and let the kids look at the sheep or horses at a Farmers field there in the Glen....especially if one is around. They probably will let your child spend fun time with them...they were SUPER nice to us.

Thank you for this advice. When we went to Ireland last June, our 2 year old love the horse ride so we plan to do that again as well. That is a great idea about going to a farm.

Also, do you have a preference where we should spend two to three nights during our second base? I am looking at Cork, Kilkenny, Kinsale, or Waterford.

Thank you again.

Of those.....for us it would be Kilkenny or Kinsale. Cork is okay. Kilkenny is a great base for many things. Kinsale is beautiful but being far south kind of limiting. Personally I'd prefer Kenmare. Big enough to have lots to do right there. Easy access to Killarney National Park (without staying in the tourist trap of Killarney City), the south side of the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Penninsula. But Kilkenny is a really good option. Kinsale is realky nice though limiting.

Waterford is also pretty but it's a full fledged city which I don't like as a base.....but that's personal preference. Also its a bit far from the southwest which has so many family friendly options for things to do.

Yes, last June, we stayed in Killarney and visited Kenmare. It was a lovely, quaint town.
I think we prefer to be further east so that is why I was asking about Kinsale, Kilkenny, Cork, etc.

Thanks again for your information. All input is greatly appreciated.

If you decide on Kilkenny, on your way you could stop at the donkey sanctuary in Knockardbane, about half an hour north of Mallow. Your 3 year old might enjoy seeing it. (As long as braying donkeys won’t scare both kids!)

That sounds great! My son loves donkeys.
So it sounds like we will stay either in Kilkenny or Kinsale. Thank you again. If you have more advice, please feel free to share.

On the ROK near Derrynane they have Fairy trails through woods for little ones, with little houses etc. My wife mentioned friends toddlers under 5's loved it and it's free.

https://irishfairytrails.com

Just an idea.....I think they have a couple sights if you happen to be in the areas.

Yes, that sounds lovely. Our children will really enjoy that. We definitely find that stopping every one to two hours helps a great deal with kids.

If we stay in Kilkenny for base #2, I have a few questions:

• Would the drive from Dingle, via Skellig Chocolate, etc., be too long of a day trip? We would make frequent kid-friendly stops.
• Is Kilkenny close enough to be near Dublin Airport or Shannon Airport for a return trip back to US? This could possibility eliminiate the need for a 3rd hotel.
• If we stay for 3-4 nights, what towns, attractions, etc. are within driving distance?

Thanks again.

We took our two year old last June and we loved our time in Dingle (3 nights). The aquarium was a hit, as was the playground in town. We also all enjoyed the Slea Head drive. If you go to Kilkenny, we really enjoyed the Lawcus Farm guest house a short drive away. Our son loved all the animals on the farm, and the owners Mark and Ann-Marie are incredible. My only regret is that we were only there for one night. Good luck with your trip! Wish we were headed back to Ireland also. Cheers!

The Lawcus Farm looks great, especially for our three year old! He loves animals, aquariums, running around in open space, etc. Thank you.

When you visited Ireland, where was your last base? Can you stay in the Kilkenny area and get to Shannon Airport or Dublin Airport? Or do you recommend staying closer to an airport? Having only two bases with two young children would be easier with the packing / unpacking.

Thank you all.

After receiving your valuable information, I am considering the following itinerary for a September / early October 8 night trip with our two children (3 years old and 7 months old):

--- Fly into Shannon, Drive to Dingle (3 nights)
----- Relax, Drive Slea Head, Dingle Aquarium, etc.

--- Leave Dingle, Visit Skellig Chocolate (our child loved it last June so have to return), drive part of Ring of Kerry, stay in Cork (2 nights)t day) (2 nights)

--- Drive towards Dublin and stay in Malahide (3 nights)
------ Visit Kilkenny Castle, Visit Fota Wildlife Zoo
------ Do you think Malahide would be a good base to be near Dublin City and Dublin Airport? It looks like Malahide has a castle, beach, and train that our children would love. Plus, we would be close to Dublin City if wanted to go in for the day.

I suggest renting a "hot spot" for internet in the car. Our grandkids( age 4 and 2) brought their I Pads along, and when they got tired of looking out the window at the sheep, cows or horses, they could hit the I Pad for a movie or game.
We did the Fungie dolphin boat ride in Dingle and the kids absolutely loved it, worth every penny. According to the kids, we saw numerous unicorns and leprechauns in the forests, and many pots of gold with all of the rainbows to see. The food was ok for them, lots of chips(french fries), even though the 2 year old informed us that "these are NOT chips."

Yes, the Dingle Dolphin tour looks amazing. My child is already asking to go on the boat ride :) Thanks for the advice.

So here is my updated itinerary as I am close to booking the flight:

Fly into Shannon, Rent Car
Dingle (3 nights)
--- Relax, Aquarium, Drive Slea Head Drive, Leave for Skellig Chocolate and drive part of Ring of Kerry
During the LONG drive will have to make frequent stops: Skellig Chocolate, Sneem, Waterville, Kenmare, Kilkenny

Kilkenny (2 nights)
---- Kilkenny Castle and relax, Day trip to possibly Waterford, Drive towards Dublin (Malahide possibly)
During drive will make stops at Glendalough, Powerscourt, Wicklow Mountains, Malahide

Malahide or near Dublin Airport (2 nights)
---- Exlplore a beach or go into Dublin for a day.
Fly out of Dublin

Thank you all again. I appreciate all your feedback.