Hello! My wife and I are taking our daughters (ages 6 and 8) next year, May 28 - June 11th. We have both traveled in Europe twice before, but have never been there with our kids. In fact, they have never even been on a plane! We had planned on taking them to Europe when they were a few years older, but this opportunity presented itself and we couldn't pass it up. We have a family friend's cottage to stay at outside Galway for part of our trip, and plan on B&B's for the rest (Rick's new Ireland book will be coming when it's released). My wife was in Ireland in college, but naturally that was 15 or so years ago, and I have never been there. We will use Rick's book to help plan our trip (used his Italy book almost exclusively for our trip in '08). We have watched all the southern Ireland episodes and are excited about many things, but would like input on what we HAVE to see with the kids. They are great road trippers (ie...4 hours non-stop St. Louis- KC, old school with no ipods!) We have included them in the process and my 8 year old loves hearing stories from my journal from our other trips. They are beyond excited as are we. Just would like some input before we start really planning. Thanks!!!
Posted by
1172 posts
We were there this summer with our 8 and 11 year olds and we had the BEST time!
Not sure what your itinerary is, city wise but here were some of our highlights:
1) Dublin: Dublinia was great and hands on, They also really enjoyed the Library at Trinity College. My 11 year old was fascinated by our Kilmanhaim gaol tour but it was a little over my 8 year old' s head. Still a must do and book tickets before you go as the tours sell out. We also all enjoyed the hop on and off bus. There was also a great playground within St Stephen's green that the kids enjoyed. Food wise... must stop at Butler's for hot chocolate ( you get to pick a truffle as well), Murphy's ice cream, we also enjoyed Queen of tarts for breakfast. We missed the Leprechaun museum but I think it would have been fun!
2) Outside Kilkenny we stopped at the Dunmore Caves. We had the best guide and I would highly recommend this stop.
3) Blarney: My husband and daughter ( the 11 year old) kissed the stone but all of us went up. There was a great natural playground on the site and they had the best soft serve ice cream
4) Killarney; We rented bikes and biked into the National Park to Muckross house and farms. We skipped the house but loved the farms. We also did a jaunty cart ride which was just ok. I would not spend the money on it.
We went to Kissane Sheep farm for a sheep herding demonstrations and it was great. We learned so much about the sheep and the dogs.
5) Dingle: We stayed at Garvey's farmhouse which is an operational dairy farm. Kids loved it and the Garvey's are fabulous hosts. We did the fungi dolphin cruise and it was fun but maybe a little long.
6) On our way to Galway we stopped at the Bunratty folk park and it was great. We also did the Cliffs of Moher which were amazing.
7) We drove to Ashford Castle and did the Falconry school experience... it was awesome and we still always talk about it.
The Irish are the friendliest people you will ever meet. They loved talking to the kids and asking them all kinds of questions about Canada and what we had seen so far in Ireland. There are also some awesome playgrounds everywhere we went... some with some more old school type structures ... my kids were in awe! You will have so much fun!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Posted by
Colorado Springs
2980 posts
All good advice from Sharon. Would only put in a word for the jaunting cars at the Gap of Dunloe (rather than Killarney). The trail - thru one of the prettiest glens in all of Ireland - is 3.5 miles each way...much too far for the little ones to hike or walk it. The jaunting cars are both corny and touristy - but great fun for young and old alike, especially if your driver is especially chatty. Would be one of those once in a lifetime experience for your family I think. Cost was 20 euro p/p a couple of years ago.