Ireland with kids.

how old is she?

Those three locations are pretty spread out, meaning that you will be spending a lot of time moving from place to place. I think you need to stay in a smaller region so you spend less time in a car. (In addition to driving time, you need to pack up, check out, find the new place, check in, get oriented, etc.) Based on what you say you want to do, I would forget Dublin. (It's one of my least favorite cities in Europe.) Fly into Shannon and stay on the west coast. Dingle is wonderful - spend three nights there. Then pick another spot for three nights. Perhaps others can recommend places you can horseback ride and visit a sheep farm. You might want to spend your last night near Shannon and fly out from there.

She is 8 years old.
I agree about Dublin. I fell in love with the west coast. Thanks for setting me straight about that. I'll skip Dublin.
I thought about spending the last night around Shannon and going to Bunratty castle. I think a 8 year old would love it but I haven't been so not sure.

I think Ireland is a fantastic choice for families. I'm taking my kids there next year. I agree with the poster that recommends a smaller itinerary and wanted to add:
You can do horseback riding in Dingle
You can do a harbor tour in Dingle to see Fungie the wild dolphin that lives in the harbor
If she loves animals, try to stay at Milltown House in Dingle, they have a gentle giant Irish Wolfhound and a trampoline/large yard
There is a sheep farm near Kissane that does Sheepdog demonstrations but it is bit further afield for you so you'd have to decide how important that is.
I would base near Doolin/Ballyvaughan/Lisdoonvarna for the Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and possibly the medieval banquet at Dungaire Castle.

Hope this helps,

Lisa/travel consultant

Thank you, super helpful!
I like the idea of three days in Dingle and after looking into it, I like the idea of three days in Doolin.
I think she would love the cave, Aran islands, the cliffs, and the music.
And recommendations on places to stay?
A little short on options for families near the town.
Thank you.

In Dingle, we are staying here
http://www.garveysfarmhouse.com

my kids are 11 and 8

You can get a directory of Irish farmhouse B&Bs from www.discoverireland.com. We stayed at a sheep farm outside of Cashel, a farm where they raised and trained jumping horses near Cork, and a cattle farm near the Cliffs of Moher. Farmhouse B&Bs are working farms, and you can find them all over.

perhaps add the national stud if she likes horses?

we will be flying in and out from Shannon.
we booked a house in dingle from 13th to the 17th.
I had planned on spending the remaining days in doolin but now I think that may be to long.
any opinions on other places?
Galway
killarney
Westport
or south
Kinsale
then the last two days in Doolin?

We did a Hawk Walk at Dromoland Castle at bit north of Limerick. Kids would love that!

I love the idea of the Hawk Walk, you could also do it at Ashford Castle where we do it on our Ireland tour. Our tour members love it. It would be great to base in Westport to visit Ashford Castle and Connemara National Park to see the wild ponies.